FAQ's

1. Can we invite students at the nearby university on our congregation’s Alpha Course?
2. How can we shorten the typical Alpha evening?
3. Can I run the course in less than ten weeks?
4. Can you give us some suggestions for running a day rather than a weekend retreat?
5. How can we lower the cost of the weekend retreat?
6. What are the most popular venues for running the course for students?
7. What are the most common approaches to doing the food?
8. What are the most significant elements in running a fruitful Alpha Course for university students?
9. How can I get the published 50% discount on Alpha resources?
10. Is Alpha successful with international students?

1. Can we invite students at the nearby university on our congregation’s Alpha Course?

Yes!  Many congregations like Holy Trinity Brompton (where Alpha began) are inviting students on their course. In most cases it is best to keep students in their own small group and to have students leading and helping in the group.  The course will attract more students if the small group is completely composed of peers. There are exceptions. Many students enjoy interacting with older adults who are taking the course. This is particularly true of international students.

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2. How can we shorten the typical Alpha evening?

The two ways that the evening can be shortened is by allowing less time for the food and to shorten the talk.  The new Alpha Course DVD's with Alpha Express provides an option to have twenty minute talks instead of the standard forty to forty-five minute talks.

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3. Can I run the course in less than ten weeks?

Yes, it is possible to run the course in ten weeks by combining some of the talks. We recommend combining the talks on prayer and the Bible into one talk and calling it “How and Why Communicate with God?” We have also combined the talks on Healing with the talk on Telling Others. In both cases it is necessary to shorten the talks so they can be given in a total of thirty minutes.

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4. Can you give us some suggestions for running a day rather than a weekend retreat?

The following is a typical agenda for a Day Away.

9:15 a.m.   Arrive, registration and coffee

9:45 a.m.   Welcome and Worship

  Who is the Holy Spirit?
  What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

10:30 a.m.  Discussion groups

11:00 a.m.  Coffee

11:30 a.m.  How Can I Be Filled With the Spirit?

12:30 p.m.  Ministry/Prayer Time

1:30 p.m.    Lunch

2:00 p.m.    Small groups

5:00 p.m.    Worship

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

7:30p.m.    Finish

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5. How can we lower the cost of the weekend retreat?

Many campus courses have found it very productive to partner with a congregation running the Alpha Course. Congregations often provide money to support the weekend or an available venue from within the congregation. For example, it is not uncommon for a member in an Alpha congregation with a holiday home to make it available to a campus group.

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6. What are the most popular venues for running the course for students?

The most popular venues for running fruitful courses are totally unrelated to the organized church.  Coffee houses off campus, local restaurants, bookstores, apartments and faculty homes are some of the most popular venues. In the UK, the pub has been an important venue for non-Christian students who would never enter a church building. The best advice, select a site where students congregate.

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7. What are the most common approaches to doing the food?

Most courses provide a full meal for students. In some cases students prepare their own food and in some cases the food is prepared by others and brought to the venue. Many course administrators have contacted local churches running Alpha and ask if they would be willing to furnish a meal.  Many have agreed to support a campus course in that way. Some courses offer dessert. This is especially true if a university requires students to participate in a meal plan.

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8. What are the most significant elements in running a fruitful Alpha Course for university students?

Our experience has shown that there are three factors that most fruitful courses share. 

1.  Conduct the small group according to the Alpha model.  It is extremely important for the Small Group Leader to refrain from teaching or making another talk in the small group.

2. Devote at least a day and a half for the weekend retreat and to find a venue off campus

3. Understand of the importance of ministry time on the course and allowing a significant time for ministry on the weekend retreat.

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9. How can I get the published 50% discount on Alpha resources?

After you select a team and have chosen a date for your course to begin, call or write to the Alpha on Campus National Coordinator at johnfrahm@alphausa.org who will confirm the start of your Alpha Course. You will be required to submit some information about your course and about yourself. This information is then entered into an Alpha North America database. After the details have been approved and added, you will be provided with a toll free number and a code which will assist Alpha North America in discounting anything you purchase 50%.

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10. Is Alpha successful with international students?

Yes! Alpha has been extremely successful with international students especially those from Southeast Asia. In fact, one out of every five courses currently running on campus is being run for Chinese students or has a few Chinese students on the course. Alpha has been a very valuable tool for local congregations using Alpha to reach out to international students on nearby campuses.

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