The Alpha Programme
Stephen Hunt · 2019
The structure of the Alpha programme is fairly standard by way of both a typical Alpha meeting and the content of the topics taught. A typical evening on the Alpha course, based on Nicky Gumbel’s recommendations, is generally followed by the great majority of churches –even the precise timetable and the time of year they may run. The Alpha course meal, like other social eating events within and outside the religious context, has significance in terms of both its symbolic representations and group dynamics. Each Alpha video shows Gumbel speaking to a large and appreciative gathering of church members at HTB – a sea of smiling and laughing faces. He comes across as friendly and polite and with all the virtues of a good Christian. Alpha training tapes are seemingly convinced in the optimistic view that the truth will prevail and that people will over time change their beliefs and values.