The Alpha Course

Curious about the Christian faith? Looking for answers? Want to get grounded as a new believer? The Alpha course is a great opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith.

While it is designed especially for those wanting to investigate the Christian faith for the first time, it is also great for those new to the faith, or for those who want a refresher on the essentials.

 It consists of a 10-week series of 15 talks addressing key issues relating to the Christian faith. Part way through the course there is the Alpha weekend, a very important part of the course, with Friday night and Saturday sessions.

 The course provides an upbeat, friendly and safe environment for you to ask your questions, no matter what they are. Each one of us is on a journey through life and at Alpha we help one another as we discuss life’s bigger issues.

 Lakeside offers the Alpha Course twice a year—September through November and late February to May. The evening consists of a full dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by a video talk and small group discussion, finishing at 9:00 p.m.

 The next course begins with an introductory dinner on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, and runs for 11 more weeks. The actual course is 10 weeks, but what we call the celebration dinner is held on the following week. It’s a bit like a graduation and a great time to invite your friends, family and colleagues to dinner and see what Alpha is all about.

 The Alpha Course is run by nearly every Christian denomination in more than 160 countries. It began in the 1970s in a church in London, England, called Holy Trinity Brompton (Anglican), and that church is still the world leader of the Alpha course. Nicky Gumbel, the Vicar (senior pastor), of HTB appears on most of the video talks and has written practically all of the Alpha materials.

Alpha courses are offered in churches, homes, prisons, the workplace, universities and other places.

The next session of Alpha at Lakeside begins Sept. 14, 2010. For more information, contact the church office at 519-836-8141. To learn more about Alpha generally, go to www.alphacanada.org.

Sharing Your Faith with Others

One of the most challenging but fulfilling practices and privileges of the Christian experience is being able to lovingly and wisely share one’s faith. Lakeside’s outreach ministry provides many opportunities throughout the year to help develop the attitudes, aptitudes and skills that will equip you to engage others with our faith in a non-offensive and authentic way. Throughout the year, opportunities are given to enroll in courses such as:

Going Public With Your Faith

A six-session course designed to help you express your faith appropriately in the workplace.

Just Walk Across the Room

A four-session course that helps people discover simple but profound steps for pointing other people to faith. This is an interactive ‘learning lab’ led by a member of the Outreach Team.

Workplace Life

Workplace Life is an environment for people who spend a significant amount of time in the workplace and have a desire to be good ‘advertisements’ for the Christian faith. Opportunities are provided throughout the year in small groups and seminar formats to engage in lively interactive discussions on topics relevant to the workplace.