Run Alpha Handbook

by Nicky Gumbel

Overview

For Alpha directors and leaders, this is one of the most important tools in setting up and running an Alpha course. This essential how-to resource offers a guided tour through every stage of setting up and running the Alpha course, including reproducible resources to make it easy to recruit and train your Alpha team.

Contains:

• Job descriptions
• Questionnaires
• Bulletin inserts
• Sample forms
• Planning timeline
• Schedules
• Reusable checklists
• Forms for recording and organizing information
• Tips on booking venues for the weekend or day away
• Advice on organizing guest services

Alpha is based on a pattern found in the New Testament of people bringing their friends, family, and work colleagues to meet Jesus. Alpha is an easy way to say to friends, "Come and see, come and explore your questions, come and hear about Jesus, come and see for yourself." Everyone is welcome at Alpha, but the program is designed especially for people who would not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781938328954
Publisher:	HarperChristian Resources
Publication date:	12/19/2017
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.47(h) x 0.20(d)

About the Author

Nicky Gumbel is the pioneer of Alpha. He studied law at Cambridge and theology at Oxford, practiced as a lawyer and is now the senior pastor of HTB in London, one of England's most vibrant churches.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Fundamentals

What is Alpha?

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. It's run in churches, bars, coffee shops and homes worldwide. Essentially, Alpha is a safe place to explore life's biggest questions.

WHAT'S THE STORY?

Alpha started in 1977 in England, in a church called Holy Trinity Brompton, affectionately known as HTB. HTB was very theologically rooted and was using Alpha as a course for new Christians or those new to the church. In 1991, a young pastor named Nicky Gumbel took over leading Alpha and he observed that it was effective at connecting with people outside of the church. He noticed the general format and lack of pressure resonated with most people, but especially with young adults. At this time in England, and much of Europe, many assumptions about faith in God, the Bible and Jesus were being abandoned, similar to what we are experiencing in the US and Canada today.

People no longer assumed that God was true or that the Bible was trustworthy. Instead of asking if things were true, people were asking what was real. Nicky repositioned Alpha for non-churchgoers by replacing what was a small group Bible study with a time of discussion and an opportunity for people to ask questions and express their own views.

Alpha became highly relational and intentionally created a safe environment where people could share their opinions and points of view, no matter what they might be. Church leaders from around the world began asking how to run Alpha, and Nicky and the team at HTB passed on all they knew. The response has been overwhelming. Today, we estimate that over 30 million people have done Alpha globally.

ALPHA WORKS WHEN IT IS:

Real

When people speak about Jesus authentically, unreligiously but unapologetically, and pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, we often see people's lives are changed. It's not always easy or straightforward but it is effective! Alpha is about authenticity; those running Alpha are real with the guests, which in turn creates space for the guests to be real and authentic.

Relational

Alpha is about relationships. Ultimately, Alpha revolves around the small group and the friendships that are formed here. It's about a journey, taken together. Everything we do with Alpha is designed to create a welcoming atmosphere — the food, the arrangement of tables and chairs, the centerpieces, and most importantly, those welcoming guests to Alpha. This all takes time, but over the course of several weeks, when sharing in a common faith journey and in each other's lives from week to week, many groups have created friendships that can last for years beyond Alpha.

Reliant

In Alpha, we are reliant on the Holy Spirit. Alpha doesn't change lives; it is the Holy Spirit working in people who changes lives. We must simply be open to him. We do Alpha in partnership with the Spirit. We are involved in God's amazing work which is why it is so important for us to do everything we can to the best of our ability and trust God for him to act.

Reproducible

When you experience the love of God, the natural response is to tell others. Alpha is a way for anybody to share their faith. Alpha provides an opportunity for anyone to use their gifts to touch the lives of the guests. Oftentimes, after experiencing Alpha, guests want to get involved, to be able to impact the lives of people in a powerful way. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to help with Alpha — as a host or helper, welcoming guests, preparing food, prayer team etc. Ultimately, Alpha should be run in a way that is reproducible. In other words, someone interested in doing something similar should be able to look at your Alpha and know that they too could do this. With the right team, anyone can run Alpha!

TOOLS AVAILABLE

Running an effective Alpha involves planning. We have created a number of tools and resources to help make the process as easy as possible. Use this handbook as well as our online training center called Alpha Builder to get all the support you need. You can access Alpha Builder at run.alphausa. org or run.alphacanada.org.

Within Alpha Builder you can create an Alpha which will provide access to all of the digital resources (videos, promotional materials, etc.) you need to get started. Here you can view and download the Alpha talks that are right for your audience - Alpha Film Series, Alpha with Nicky Gumbel, or the Alpha Youth Series.

There are a total of 15 talks (including those covered on the Alpha weekend).

Alpha explores these questions:

Is There More to Life Than This?

Who Is Jesus?

Why Did Jesus Die?

How Can I Have Faith?

Why and How Do I Pray?

Why and How Do I Read the Bible?

How Does God Guide Us?

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?

How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?

How Can I Resist Evil?

Why and How Should I Tell Others?

Does God Heal Today?

What About the Church?

Each of these talks, as well as the customizable scripts for live talks, are available for free through Alpha Builder. Here you can also access training materials for your team, promotional materials and all of the information you need to make your Alpha a success!

TRAIN

Alpha has created tools and training videos to support you as the Alpha administrator. Additionally, resources are available to help train the rest of your team. These resources will help answer the most common questions about food, teambuilding, atmosphere, prayer and the essentials of a quality Alpha. Also, be sure to check online for any upcoming Run Alpha training events. Run Alpha training provides a practical introduction to what Alpha looks like. It may also provide you with an opportunity to connect with churches who have been running Alpha for years, as well as those who are exploring or just running it for the first time.

When we put some effort into creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere, guests are more likely to enjoy themselves, build relationships, engage in the discussion and keep coming back each week! And they will feel comfortable enough to tell their friends about Alpha.

The key to creating a positive atmosphere for your Alpha is to think of it like a casual party. We aim to set the mood as if we're welcoming guests into our home. Here are some ideas from churches who made their Alpha a bit more inviting.

WE HOPE THIS WILL HELP SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY:

Food

Eating a meal or a snack together allows guests to have a space for casual conversations and to get to know each other. Remember to provide a meat-free option and to ask about allergies.

Venue

Run Alpha where people are most likely to show up. Think about who you're trying to reach and where they spend their time. Most Alphas take place in a church, but Alpha has also been run in places like coffee shops, high schools, homes, gyms, pubs, and even bike shops.

Room Decor

The way you set up the room, including things like table setup (centerpieces, place settings), signage (welcome sign, menu, food labels) and even lights (candles, table and floor lamps) contribute to the overall guest experience. Try to be creative each week because these details make the Alpha experience memorable especially when targeted to the demographic you are trying to reach.

Seating

You want seating that will make conversation easy. Try to steer away from office or classroom set up and aim for small groups of 8-12. Use whatever is available-try small coffee tables instead of big tables, big comfy couches, floor pillows — anything that will help people relax.

Music

Depending on your context and audience, play upbeat music or invite a local artist to play during meal time. Some groups slowly introduce Christian music and worship after the Alpha weekend and some begin with it right away. Whenever you choose to introduce it, it helps to explain why worship is a key element of Christian life.

Temperature

Monitor this throughout the night because if it gets too warm, guests will feel uncomfortable and possibly fall asleep during the Alpha talk. The more people that are in the room, the warmer it will get as the night progresses.

Fun

Laughing together is one of the best ways to build a sense of community and friendship. It can lighten the mood, bridge over awkward dynamics and allow people to relax. Depending on your group's age and context, you can start with a funny, neutral video clip, tell a joke, or do a short icebreaker game.

THREE WAYS OF ORGANIZING THE MEAL:

Church catering team

Organize a catering team from within your church or organization to provide the food for Alpha every week or on a rotating basis. Keep the budget to a minimum, and invite your guests to make a contribution to the cost of the meal by suggesting a small donation ($5.00). Provide a secure or enclosed box for donations.

The Alpha small group

If you have a small Alpha group, each week one member of the group could provide the food. You might start by asking all the hosts and helpers to contribute, and often after week five, one of the guests will offer to provide food or the dessert. Always keep this optional and not mandatory for the guests.

Professional catering

As your Alpha grows you may need a caterer. The disadvantage is that it often raises the cost of the meal. You can also hold Alpha in a café or restaurant where they provide the food at a reduced price. Also, check with your team to see who they know. Oftentimes team members have connections to restaurant owners or food providers. Many times these groups will donate a meal to Alpha or will offer a discounted rate for food.

MENU PLANNING AND OTHER GENERAL THOUGHTS:

* Pinterest is full of great ideas on cooking for a crowd.

* Keep meals simple.

* Consider your space. If guests aren't at regular dinner tables, opt for meals that can be eaten in a bowl or ones that don't require utensils, etc.

* Offer a non-meat and possibly a gluten-free option as well as a meat option the first few weeks until you determine the dietary preferences of your guests.

* If cooking for a large group, check with a local butcher who might give you a good price on bulk orders.

* Plan your menu ahead of time so you can watch for sales on nonperishable items.

* Buffet style is generally the best way to serve the food. Consider providing servers who can portion out the food onto plates so everyone gets at least one helping.

Ideally your groups would sit together, eat together, watch the Alpha talk and then discuss it right where they are. This helps your group connect, and it saves time since there's no transition to another room or space. Your Alpha leader will explain how it will work.

We use the terms "host" and "helper" because on Alpha it's less about being a leader and more about helping facilitate a conversation. We want people to feel welcomed and included. The format is not teacher/student, but rather host/guest. Note: There are two team training videos to help you learn about how to host great small groups, and tips on praying for others. Take some time to discuss these with your team.

WHAT DO HOSTS AND HELPERS DO?

Simply put, hosts are the ones who facilitate the small group discussion. Helpers are there to help the host and the guests with anything that might make the group experience even better. Helpers mostly stay quiet. They listen and pray silently as the discussion is unfolding. Being a helper on Alpha is actually one of the best ways for people to step into a leadership role for the first time.

FOR THE ALPHA YOUTH SERIES:

Small group discussion is not only after the Alpha talks, but included throughout each episode. There are several pause prompts with questions for you to discuss with your small group. Take about 5-10 minutes and if you want more time to chat, there are additional questions in the discussion guide to go through at the end of the talk.

FROM GOOD TO GREAT

Show guests that they're valuable by being 100% committed and consistent. Attend all the team training sessions, the Alpha weekend and all the small group discussions. Show genuine care for them by remembering their names and asking how their week is going. Remember, Alpha isn't about "information transfer," it's about friendship.

FACILITATING DISCUSSION

One thing that can help in forming the small groups is to use the information gathered from the Guest Sign-Up Form (Appendix F) and put all who check "Christian" in the same group. Their small group will probably have more of a discipleship emphasis.

When guests ask a question, ask the rest of the group what they think or feel about it. If you answer all the questions, there will be no discussion and your answer will be viewed as "the final answer." We want to encourage honest conversation.

Occasionally in the first few weeks, a small group host finds a guest in their group who is quick to answer questions during the small group time. If this occurs, privately remind them the purpose of Alpha is first to listen. Other guests will feel shut down if this is left unattended. If addressed the discussion will flow with more freedom.

WHO'S ON THE TEAM?

The most helpful question to ask when considering someone for the role of host or helper is, "Would I trust my non-Christian best friend with this person?" If the answer is no, then keep looking for the right people.

It is also important to train your team well. Although Alpha has a simple format, there are a few critical things to remember when running an Alpha small group. Even your hosts and helpers who have done Alpha several times can benefit from attending training before you begin your Alpha.

CHAPTER 2

Training & Teams

Six Key Alpha Team Roles

ALPHA ADMINISTRATOR:

The administrator carries the overall responsibility of running Alpha, leading the team and delegating tasks.

The administrator is:

• well-organized, detail-oriented

• able to communicate well with a volunteer team

• friendly

• one who values prayer

• encouraging and approachable

The administrator is responsible for:

• scheduling and planning the meetings to train the Alpha team

• determining the day and time when Alpha will run

• securing the venue/location for the weekly gathering

• overseeing the small groups or delegating to the small group coordinator (if it is a larger Alpha)

• planning and securing the venue for the Alpha weekend

• leading the weekly team meetings as well as ongoing team coaching

• working with church leadership to understand and promote Alpha

• arranging the proper resources for the team and guests (Alpha Guides, Alpha Team Guides, additional resources)

• customizing Team and Guest Feedback Forms (see Appendix G and FI) at the end of each Alpha

• scheduling post-Alpha evaluation meetings to determine if any changes need to made for the next Alpha

SMALL GROUP HOSTS AND HELPERS

The small group hosts and helpers maintain a safe environment for guests to share openly.

Hosts are:

• warm and caring

• good listeners

• friendly

• okay with silence in the group

• able to facilitate the conversation during the small group time

• willing to pray for the small group on a regular basis

Helpers are:

• warm, caring and friendly

• good listeners

• proactive and seek out the quieter guests to befriend them

• happy to allow others to speak first in the small group

• willing to pray quietly while the small group is meeting

• willing to pray for the small group on a regular basis

EMCEE

This is someone who can host your Alpha each week — welcoming guests with a short introduction, guiding people through each part of the evening, and encouraging guests to come back. This is a key role since the Emcee sets the tone for the evening. Think of one or two people who don't mind speaking in front of groups and can make people feel at ease, especially if they don't typically go to church. It generally helps to lean towards a younger person. In some situations, this role is well suited for a pastor.

HOSPITALITY TEAM

This fun, servant-hearted crew of volunteers cooks the meals, takes care of logistics, greets people and provides administrative support.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Run Alpha Handbook"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Alpha USA.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Section 1 Fundamentals, 5,
Section 2 Training & Teams, 17,
Section 3 Schedules, 23,
Section 4 Alpha Weekend, 31,
Section 5 More Guests, 45,
Section 6 Prayer, 49,
Section 7 Wrap Up, 55,
Section 8 Appendices, 61,
Appendix A Alpha – Catholic, 63,
Appendix B Alpha – Youth, 64,
Appendix C Alpha – Prison, 65,
Appendix D Alpha – Workplace, 66,
Appendix E Alpha – Seniors, 67,
Appendix F Guest Sign-Up Form, 68,
Appendix G Alpha Guest Feedback Form, 69,
Appendix H Alpha Team Feedback Form, 71,