Top 10 Alpha-Bits to help you plan a successful Alpha course!

Happy New Year! All across Canada, churches are gearing up to start their Alpha courses. Last year we saw a 20% increase in Alpha courses in our nation, and we pray that we'll see an even greater increase in 2012! Here are some Alpha-bits to help you make sure you've got all bases covered:

1. Establish a Prayer Support Team:  Prayer lies at the heart of the success of any Alpha course. Gather those who will be part of the team and those who will be praying weekly at home or on site. Read through Pete Grieg's How to Pray for Your Alpha Course article or download Prayer Pointers on Alpha.

2. Inspire the congregation: Promote the Alpha course to your church members so they get excited about inviting their friends and family! Ask Alpha grads to share their testimonies. Their stories will inspire people to be involved on the Alpha team. Download some of our favourite video clips and play them in church: The Meaning of Life is / Bear Grylls did Alpha / Do It Yourself / Ask God Anything.

3. Choose your Alpha team prayerfully: You want the right people for each role, not just the available people. Match each position on the team with an individual’s spiritual and natural gifts. Consider past Alpha grads as potential helpers on the next course. Involve youth or young adults in the planning process. Read through the 5 Ways to Maximize Team Training article.

4. Confirm all the dates & register your course: Set the dates for the Introductory Dinner, the Weekend Away, team training meetings, and the Celebration Dinner. Be mindful of holidays such as Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and Easter. Adjust dates if necessary. Register your course online at www.alphacanada.org/register and receive Realtime Training emails, info about new resources etc.

5. Assemble a sensible budget: Assess the cost for community promotion, weekly meals, training resources and guest manuals, the weekend retreat and Celebration Dinner. Plan fundraising activities to help offset the costs. Customize the Alpha Budget Guideline accordingly.

6. Invite guests to your course! Provide Guest Invitations so church members can hand them out to family and friends.  Print and advertise Alpha posters at local community events or at community centres, pubs, laundromats, libraries, or blitz the neighbourhood with good old-fashioned door-to-door canvassing.

7. Train your whole team. Join with other churches in your area for an Alpha Training Day; cover the three Alpha training topics —Leading Small Groups, Pastoral Care, and Weekend Away Ministry time. Consider preparing a binder or folder of essential handouts including the schedule with all important Alpha dates.

8. Strive for excellence. First impressions are lasting! Pay attention to details such as friendly door greeters, strategically-placed welcome signs, attractive table centerpieces, an organized Book Table, static-free audio-visual, etc. Browse through the Task Force folder to read through helpful hints.

9. Prepare for the Weekend Away and Healing Night. Book the Retreat Centre as soon as possible to ensure a place for the Alpha retreat. Put the dates in writing so your Alpha leaders can calendar this event. Read through the Weekend Away folder especially the Prayer & Ministry Models handout.

10. Keep Alpha rolling. Nicky Gumbel says, "Alpha works best when it is run 2 or 3 times a year. This way, people who have attended the course are able to immediately involve their friends by inviting them to the following course."  Consider running an Alpha course outside the church - in a coffee shop, local community centre, high school or campus, etc. Or take your Alpha team on a GAT - Global Alpha Training - it's an Alpha missions trip that will transform your team forever!

Other Quick Links:  First Time Running Alpha? Start Here! / 5 Tasty Recipe Websites