(by Alastair Emblem - Originally written March 1998; updated June 2004)
In common with much of the Western World, England has experienced a decline in Christianity during the 20th century, and yet there are many new shoots of revival to fill us with hope as we enter the third Millennium since Christ’s birth.
One of the most outstanding signs of revival is the ALPHA course, a 10-week introduction to basic Christianity which is growing so fast and wide that it is difficult to grasp the true extent of its impact. Some statistics may help to give some idea of the success of the Alpha phenomenon, which is not only bringing thousands of people to Christ, but breaking down many of the walls of prejudice between Christian denominations:
The cumulative number of people estimated to have participated in Alpha courses worldwide:
1991 - 4 courses - 600 people
1992 - 5 courses - 1000 people
1993 - 200 courses - 4,500 people
1994 - 750 courses - 30,000 people
1995 - 2500 courses - 100 000 people
1996 - 5000 courses - 250,000 people
1997 - 6500 courses - 500,000 people
1998 - 10,500 courses - 980,000 people
1999 - 14,200 courses - 1.6 million people
2000 - 17,000 courses - 2.7 million people
2001 - 19,800 courses - 3.8 million people
2002 – 24,400 courses – 5 million people
2003 – 27,000+ courses
2004 – 28,500 so far
Around 7,300 of the courses are being run in England, where Alpha originated. But the growth in international courses is now following the same explosive pattern as in England. In 1997 there were 1200 international courses running, and by 2003 this had risen to around 19,000 courses running in at least 143 countries. The USA is growing faster than any other country in the number of courses: more than 6,800 courses in 2003, and rising rapidly.
People from all Christian denominations have been touched and renewed through Alpha - including Roman Catholics, as detailed later in this article.
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF ALPHA?
What is behind all the impressive statistics? Essentially, nothing new - in fact at heart it is exactly the same as happened at the beginning of the Church: the proclamation of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. The essential message of Christianity is presented in a clear, compelling and vibrant way which makes it accessible and relevant to the needs of the 21st century.
The format of the course has been developed and refined over a number of years, and includes 5 essential characteristics... A is for Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome. L is for Learning and laughter. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time. The talks are all available on video, presented by Rev. Nicky Gumbel in a relaxed, amusing yet highly informative and compelling style. P is for Pasta and pudding. Eating a meal together at the start of their meeting gives people an opportunity to get to know each other, and develops important community and social links. H is for Helping one another. Small groups after each weeks presentation give you a chance to discuss issues raised in the talks. A is for Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or hostile.
A great deal of thought and effort has also been put into making Alpha relatively easy for a Parish or Church Group to organize: there are training videos, books, manuals and guidance available through regional conferences and advisers.But at the centre of all the professional organization is, quite simply, the Trinity. Alpha presents God the Father as caring passionately for His creation, loving us so much that he sent His only Son Jesus, that all who believe in him may not perish but have eternal life. We are given sound reasons for believing in the truth of the life, teaching, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, and we are invited to draw closer to God the Father through him. We learn how Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as comforter, guide, wisdom and strength; and how we can experience his help as a reality in our lives.
THE ALPHA EFFECT
During the Alpha course, participants experience a growth or deepening of relationship with God. Many thousands of non-Christians and even atheists have for the first time recognized the truth of the Gospel and given their lives to Christ. Many more thousands of nominal Christians and regular church-goers have experienced and enrichment of their faith and have become more dedicated and active within their denominations. There are countless testimonies of drug addicts, prisoners, suicidal and violent people having their lives completely changed; stories of reconciliations in families and between denominations. And above all, people experiencing a new joy and wholeness in their lives, and sharing this with their friends and families. This in turn leads to the other great success of Alpha - evangelisation.
At the end of each 10-week course, participants are asked to invite others to a special celebration supper. They don't need much encouragement, as by this time they are only too ready to share something of what they have experienced. At the supper, the introductory video from the start of the course is shown again, guests are invited to sign up for the next course, and the whole cycle starts all over again. Many participants graduate to being helpers, group leaders and organizers on later courses. This explains the multiplication effect evident in the statistics quoted earlier, and is a clear echo of the dynamic growth in the early Church.
WHAT ABOUT CATHOLICS?
Many hundreds of Catholic Parishes around the world are now running Alpha courses, with great success. The following is an article from the Catholic Alpha office, which has been set up to promote and co-ordinate Alpha courses in the Catholic Church. It refers to the very first Catholic Alpha conference, which took place in London in September 1997.
‘Introducing the event, Bishop Ambrose Griffiths, Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, described the Alpha Course as "the most powerful evangelistic tool, which reaches out precisely to those whom we need." He continued, "The course is simple, direct, illustrated by wonderful stories. It is set in the context of a meal and I can't help thinking that it is precisely what the Lord Jesus himself did.
He said he saw the conference as being very important ecumenically. "We should have the humility to learn from other Christians and I am delighted that we are doing this today.", he said. He continued, "It is not a complete exposition of Catholic doctrine. No introductory course could possibly do that. But it doesn't contain anything contrary to Catholic doctrine. What's more, it provides the basis of Christian belief which many Catholics have never cottoned on to. They have been sacramentalized, but never evangelized."
After the conference, which including a seminar on running an Alpha course in a Catholic context, many delegates expressed excitement and delight at what they had heard. One delegate from Swindon wrote, "This is an awesome historic moment in the history of the Church."
A Guildford delegate wrote, "I already have a conviction that it would work in our situation. Historically, this is the first structural programme to unite Catholics and Protestants and Free Churches since the Reformation!"
Father Richard Long, of St. George's Sudbury told the Tablet magazine, "One of my fears and concerns as a priest has been how little opportunity there has been for evangelism and outreach. This course has given me a lot of hope. I think it is just what we need in the Church."
Welcoming the Alpha course to his diocese, the Right Reverend David Konstant, Bishop of Leeds, wrote, "The Alpha course is a valuable contribution to our commitment to evangelization …..and I am sure it will be of great benefit to the Church's mission".
The Cardinal Archbishop of Tokyo said in 2002 that he considered Alpha a response to the Pope’s “call to the Catholic Churches of the world to ‘launch out into the deep’. The church’s mission to proclaim the gospel has become more urgent than ever.” He added that Alpha has “brought new life to the faith of those who have strayed from the Church, and brought joy to believers.”
A 2001 Catholic survey entitled “Evangelisation in England and Wales” concluded that Alpha has “proven itself to be beneficial for many and has empowered many Catholics in becoming active agents of evangelisation. Such effectiveness in promoting faith decisions and enabling Christians to minister to those outside the Church should be applauded.”Inspired by the success of Alpha, Catholic Evangelisation Services in England has produced a number of similar video courses with a Catholic slant. Brought together under the title “CaFE: Catholic Faith Exploration”, these can be run instead of or alongside Alpha courses. Further details are available on the website shown at the end.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
We have run four Alpha courses and three CaFE courses in our parish in Surrey, England. The results have been encouraging. Most Catholic participants have found their faith invigorated, and many have done several courses and gone on to help run subsequent courses for other people. At least four people have decided to become Catholics as a result of attending. The welcome and friendliness of the meetings, as well as the teaching, are often mentioned as strong influences.
One of the major reasons for Alpha's success is that the format and organization enables ordinary lay people to make a contribution towards the essential commission of Jesus to spread his good news. I therefore encourage anyone who is interested in organizing or participating in an Alpha or CaFE course to go to the Internet sites given below and find out how to join this wonderful move of the Holy Spirit.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE NET
More information about Alpha and international conferences at www.alphacourse.org
Latest news on Alpha worldwide at http://alphacourse.org/runningacourse/news/index.htm
More information about CaFE courses and other Catholic Evangelisation initiatives and resources at www.catholicevangel.org
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