How Can I "Go Local"?

by Jim Charlton

Part of the new strategy to multiply the growth of Alpha is through increasing the number of training opportunities and locations. Our strategy can be summarized as, “Go Local, Be Faithful, Use the Web”.

Go Local - Hold one-day trainings hosted by leading Alpha churches. If possible, hold multiple events at multiple venues per year in any given area. Offer multiple tracks for advanced learning. Use knowledgeable speakers, gifted worship leaders and able prayer leaders from local churches with guidance from the Central Support Team. We aim to keep costs to a minimum.

Be Faithful – We want to be faithful to the values and principles behind the two-day conference model and Alpha itself in all we do. For that reason, we are creating a Local Alpha Training Event Guide to help a local team be faithful to that which we all have been given.

Use the Web – We want to encourage everyone associated with Alpha to utilize the AlphaConnected website since it is constantly being updated with helpful information on best practice, developments across the country and other items of interest and benefit to Alpha course leaders. Regular and frequent use will keep you current and help you offer the best Alpha course possible.

But what about those church leaders who don't know about Alpha or just want to check it out without committing to a full day of training?  There are a number of options available, ranging from a simple one-on-one discussion to a half-day "Introduction to Alpha" local event.  One example is the "Taste of Alpha" event, pioneered by Sam Stevens in Chicago.

These typically are luncheon meetings hosted by a local pastor (usually a senior or lead) who loves Alpha and is willing to invite his/her friends, colleagues and other church leaders to come enjoy a meal together and find out more about Alpha.  The event includes a meal, some testimonies (hopefully by a pastor and a course participant) and a short overview of what Alpha is all about.  The goal is to create excitement about Alpha and interest in taking the next step toward launching a course. That next step can be an Alpha One-Day Training Event, perhaps held at another local church.

We're putting all this and more into an Alpha Local Event Guide, which should be available in the next couple months.