The A to Y of Introductions to Faith

Andy Peck in Christianity Today…July 2004 reproduced for CBA churches by permission.

Most of the British population are ignorant about what it means to be a Christian, the response of increasing numbers of churches is to run inquirers groups to introduce people to the faith. But with so many courses to choose from, Andy Peck reviews the major contenders and unpacks their strengths. 

“Now let’s see. On Monday I’m going to aerobics, Tuesday pottery classes, and Wednesday Alpha, I like to keep Friday’s free, so I think Thursday is the night to meet up,” said Sarah, a secretary at a firm of Accountants. She had no Christian background. This was a conversation with a friend that I overheard. For Sarah, Alpha was the thing any 20-something might do in a busy social life, as un-embarrassing as a visit to the hairdresser, or a local gym.
It was Noel Coward, who when asked what he thought of God said he wasn’t sure he had ever been properly introduced. Today many are finding introductions to God through courses like Alpha. Sarah is one of many for whom exploring the spiritual side of life means attending a course. The billboards and buses advertising Alpha, plus the exposure of a TV series, and a strong take-up by churches of all denominations, means it currently leads the market. 
Jerry Brown the Pastor of Rayleigh Baptist Church, Essex, told Christianity+Renewal: “Last week we baptised five people, four of whom came to faith through Alpha. We recently took 50 on the Alpha away day. We are running courses in the evenings at lunch times, for all ages, for young people and now for the elderly. The great thing is that the courses keep being filled. As people come to faith they say, ‘right, I’m bringing my friends to the next one’.”
Alpha is not the only show in town – it caters brilliantly for a particular type of seeker, but there are many other courses, pitched differently, with different formats to choose from. Here’s a guide to the main ones on offer.

Alpha

1. Who is it for? 
People who are not yet Christians and have some awareness of God and the Bible. 

2. Typical format:
Fifteen sessions including a week-end (or day) away. Each evening includes a meal/supper followed by a talk or video of the talk by Nicky Gumbel followed by a discussion in small groups 

3. Content
Material includes: Who Jesus is, Bible study, prayer, guidance, evangelism and healing, and a week-end on being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

4. What does it do?
Educates in basics of the Christian faith, providing opportunity to encounter God in an environment where questions are handled seriously.

5. Time 
2-3 hours a week 

6. Resources: 
National advertising campaign, Video, study guide for leaders and participants, training conferences, other supporting books for believers and enquirers.

7. Who’s it by?
The course was developed by Nicky Gumbel, curate at Holy Trinity, Brompton, London.

8. Cost/details
Visit: www.alphacourse.org
phone: 0845 758 1278

Video pack: £89.95
Guest manual: £1.50
Leaders manual: £1.50

Comments:
Has had a great impact in the UK and worldwide. It is claimed 8% of the population have been on the course, or knows someone who has! 
“It’s been incredible. It seems like something God is backing, so we just keep going.” Jerry Brown Rayleigh Baptist Church, Essex.

Christianity Explored

1. Who is it for?
A 10-week course for people who think they'd like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. 

2. Typical format:
Includes talk or video discussion in groups of six to nine, meal and encourages the reading of Mark’s gospel in between the sessions.

3. Content
It explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him using Mark’s gospel.

4. What does it do?
Helps enquirers focus upon who Jesus was and how they can relate to him.

5. Time 
2 hours a week

6. Resources: 
Video, study guide for leaders and participants

7. Who’s it by?
The course was developed by Rico Tice, who works at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London

8. Cost/details
How to run the course manual: £9.99, with CD-Rom, study guide: £2.99 [£2.50 if 10 or more ordered], video pack: £39.99, starter pack: £85, order online: salesline@stl.org phone: 0800 282728

Comments:
 “The excellently presented video is documentary style, Rico Tice talking to camera in a variety of settings. The course is seen as more ‘conservative’ than Alpha with a greater emphasis on Jesus and less on the Holy Spirit. Already developing a keen following.” Anthony Parks, teacher, preacher based in Surrey. 

Emmaus Stage 2 Nurture

1. Who is it for?
People keen to explore the Christian faith, typically within the church group. Was tested and developed in largely Anglican settings.

2. Typical format:
Guest evening, weekly self-contained groups of six to 10, with optional closing meal on the last evening. Evenings include talks, discussions and testimony

3. Content
What Christians believe (6) (includes looks at God, the life death and resurrection of Jesus and how to become a Christian); How Christians grow (4) Living the Christian Life (5)

4. What does it do?
Introduces people to key Christian truths with talks, discussions, and focus on the Bible.

5. Time 
90 minutes an evening over 15 weeks

6. Resources: 
Leaders manual, study guides

7. Who’s it by?
Five authors who were at one time all living and working within the Diocese of Wakefield in the Anglican ministry: Stephen Cottrell, John Finney, Robert Warren, Felicity Lawson, Steven Croft. 

8. Cost/details:
Emmaus nurture manual: £17.50, Introduction booklet: £4.95, Information: www.natsoc.org.uk/emmaus
Order by email: bookshop@c-of-e.org.uk
Phone: 020 7898 1300

Comments:
Part of Emmaus way of faith which includes sessions for Christians on making contact, and 15 short courses for new believers on discipleship. Encourages groups to make up their own name.

“I cannot recommend Emmaus highly enough! We started a small group of eight, many of whom had been attending church for 40-plus years. A six week experiment has turned into 18 months of learning and fellowship that one member called 'a lifesaver'. I now have a list of 20 others to start new groups!”
Revd Steve Davie, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Cobham, Surrey.
 

Essence

1. Who is it for?
Primarily those with an interest in spirituality or New Age philosophy

2. Typical format:
One leader to six participants in a lounge area of a gym, library or pub. It uses a range of activities including role play, drawing, Bible reading, creative arts, meditation exercises, visual aids and opt activities including journaling and massage.

3. Content
The course helps participants reflect on the following: people’s journey so far, personal identity, world problems, personal pain, practising the presence of God, the future. 

4. What does it do?
Participants explore Christian spirituality, as the first stage of the journey towards faith.

5. Time 
Sessions are one and a half to two hours. Informal, run over a six week period or a residential week-end Friday to Sunday. 

6. Resources: 
Comprehensive leaders guide and CD with music for guided meditations. Buy on line at www.sharejesusinternational.com/essence/ or email Jackie@sharejesusinternational.com Requires leader to buy materials for use in exercises. 

7. Who’s it by?
Revd Dr Rob Frost, Director, Share Jesus International 

Comments
“Essence is a remarkable resource. It begins where people are on their spiritual journey and helps them engage with a God who is at work in their lives and in the world.” 
Revd Canon Robert Freeman, National Evangelism Advisor, Church of England.
 

Journeys

1. Who is it for?
Designed for spectators to Christianity 

2. Typical format:
Five sessions based around video of interviews with Christians who illustrate the topic for the evening. These are a launch pad for discussion, involving looking, in some cases at Bible texts. Could involve a meal, or coffee and dessert.

3. Content
Looks at some of the foundations of Christian faith through the eyes of believers. Is there a spiritual side to me? If God and heaven exist what are they like? Does faith work in real life? Does God have real power to change things? Crossing the Line – what’s it like?

4. What does it do?
Creates an environment for discussing key spiritual issues.

5. Time 
Typically 1½ hours a week

6. Resources: 
A4 size leaders book, participants guide Videos

7. Who’s it by?
Presented by Rob Harley who has more than 25 years’ experience in TV current affairs and documentary-making in New Zealand. Distributed by Willow Creek Association UK.

8. Cost/details
The Journeys Kit: £79
Available to buy online: www.willowcreek.org.uk

Comments:
“I think that it is excellent and exactly what we have been looking for as a church. The good thing about the course is it's informality... it's short five-week length...it's starting point (where people are, not where we would like them to be).. it's visual approach (the video clips are superb ),.. and the logical sequence of subjects. As I did the course, I could really see how these subjects would cause people to think and potentially open them up to the claims of Christ.”
John Kearns, Pastor of Old Roan Baptist Church, Aintree, Liverpool.
 

Start

1. Who is it for?
People who are not yet Christians and want to investigate the Christian faith in a small group setting. 

2. Typical format:
Six sessions of an hour each involving video discussion, group activities Bible study. 12 short, Bible-based programmes including short visual meditations.

3. Content
Looks at our experiences in life, the identity of God and Jesus, what’s gone wrong, Jesus death, how we can start a journey with Jesus. 

4. Time
One Hour a week

5. Resources: 
A4 size leaders book, with photocopiable pages for 16 page members booklet
60-minute video
The video introduces the Christian faith through short, punchy programmes from a variety of locations - a fun fair, a scrap yard, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Think TV magazine, not ‘talking heads’.

6. What does it do?
Helps people see how God has been involved in their lives, and can be in the future.

7. Who’s it by?
Written by Robin Gamble, Canon Evangelist for the Diocese of Manchester.


8. Cost/details
Complete package: £39.95
Available on website [online bookshop]: www.cpas.org.uk/evangelism

Comments:

”Nurture courses are so vital for the growing church. Here's a new one I can thoroughly recommend which makes no assumptions about previous knowledge or education. Looks fun too.” 
John Homes, Canon Missioner Wakefield Diocese

Ten

1. Who is it for?
Outsiders to the Christian faith, with some awareness of the Bible

2. Typical format:
A variety: small groups combining a meal; personal study alongside a study book; one to one; single church, inter church and area wide mission.

3. Content 
Ten 45-minute programmes combine vox pops, interviews video talks by J John on The Ten Commandments in reverse order, with contemporary titles

4. Time 
Depends on the setting, minimum of one hour per session.

5. Resources: 
Videos, Leaders manual study guides, Service outlines

6. What does it do?
Provides people with a new and intriguing insight into the Ten Commandments, and leads them to make decisions on lifestyle and faith in God. 

7. Who’s it by?
J John is an evangelist with PhiloTrust. Charismatic Anglican background. 

8. Cost/details:
Free promo video [all available on: www.philotrust.com/acatalog/ten ]
Video series: £49.99, Study guide:£3.99

Comments:
“Taken from his tours of the UK. J John’s talks have his characteristic mix of humour, pithy wisdom and challenge.” John Adamson, part of the leadership team of a charismatic church in south-west London. 
 

The Y Course

1. Who is it for?
For people making their first ever contact with Christian belief, especially in the post modern world. 

2. Typical format:
Eight sessions perhaps including a meal with talk and discussion groups of eight to 10 people.

3. Content
Material includes: Is there more to life than this? Can anyone really know what God is like? Are we expected to believe what happened so long ago? Why so many religions and so much suffering? Is there really life after death? Can God make a difference in my life? Who wants to be stuck with a bunch of boring old rules?

4. What does it do?
Helps people talk through their feelings and thoughts about spiritual things.

5. Time
One to two and a half hours (depending on whether a meal is included). 

6. Resources:
Course handbook with photocopiable outline for discussion, ideas for invitation and publicity, Y course helpline Recruiting Video, Jesus Video, Posters 

7. Who’s it by?
The course grew out of a partnership between Agape and the Millennium initiative Y2000. Pete Meadows and Joseph Steinberg crafted the Y course and the accompanying booklet, Beyond Belief? 

8. Cost/details

Course leader’s handbook: £11.99
Available to buy on resources page: www.agape.org.uk

Comments:
“Assumes far less Biblical knowledge than the other courses, and to that extent is closer than many to where the average Brit under 40 is likely to be. An excellent course for post-moderns.”
John Ross, Farnham Baptist Church.

CaFE - Catholic Faith Exploration

A new resource aimed at Catholics who are keen to find out more about their faith and its relevance to their everyday lives. Using a video format designed to be viewed by small groups the focus is threefold:

· Discipleship – helping Catholics get more enthusiastic about their faith in Jesus Christ.
· Community – creating and nourishing small groups where people can share and grow together.
· Evangelisation – empowering Catholics to make more of a difference in the world around them.

With a training video, leaders pack and training manual I enjoys the support of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. Mgr Keith Barltrop, Director of the Catholic National Agency for Evangelisation describes this as “a powerful and flexible resource.”

For further details contact Catholic Evangelisation Services, PO Box 222, St Albans AL2 1EL Tel/Fax: 01727 822837 Email: info@catholicevangel.org 


Having a course that introduces people to Christ would be a good enough reason for running it, but there are additional bonuses. Many of these courses are also a healthy refresher for believers.

Most Christians benefit from seeing the gospel communicated well (on video, or by church members and staff) and become excited by their faith and keen to communicate it. It is also a great place to use the teaching gifts of folk in the church who may not get pulpit time. One church uses a retired minister to address an elderly enquirers group.

Recently the teaching professions ran ads reminding viewers, ‘no one forgets a teacher’. By the same token, I bet you can still remember the person who introduced you to Christ. Perhaps it’s time you were involved in a course that helped more happy memories to be created. People like Sarah are waiting to add you to their diary. 

Andy Peck, Christianity and Renewal, July 2003