8. The congregation with a faith course
Courses also draw non-church members
A introduction to the Christian faith course will draw different people, church members as well as non-church members. At a series of meetings an introduction to the bible and the Christian faith is offered, in a number of different ways, often after a shared meal. Small groups are formed to discuss a subject and to give people an opportunity to ask questions. Is that something for your congregation?
There are many different courses on the market, such as Alpha, Emmaus, Christianity Explored etc.
Such a course can be part of a churches ongoing education programme, but it can also spearhead a congregation’s mission. In the latter case the course will be supported more by the congregation, with many people involved, especially if it involves a meal. In this case you will need:
- Hosts and hostesses
- A cooking team
- People who will help with the washing up
- Music and musicians
- People who help with the organisation (getting things ready and putting things away)
- People who will take care of getting the room ready
- People who will ensure that there is good publicity
- People who will introduce the evenings
- Discussion leaders
- Congregation members who invite guests and are involved in their prayer
- A facilitator who will provide ideas and will introduce at least one of the evenings
- People who will think about a follow-up - what if people want more or want to go further?
In other words a basic course can involve the whole congregation.
Experience has shown that the congregation members join in, particularly the first time the course is offered. That does not mean it was a ‘failure,’ it deepens and refreshes the members’ own faith experience. When you persevere you will find that the church members will become more confident to invite guests from outside the church.
Choose a course that is suitable for your congregation.
A number of suggestions
- Make sure you know the level of the course you are offering, some courses are of a high level. They are suitable for people with higher education but not for people who are not used to reading and abstract thought.
- Take note of the content and intention of the course. Is it mainly concerned with information or does it also contain a lot of perception? Is the aim of the course getting to know without strings attached or does it steer towards making a decision?
- How intense is the course? How many evenings? Does it also include a weekend? With or without meals? What else is involved and how many people are needed?
- Take note of what is and what is not discussed. A beginners’ course does not offer a nuanced image of what has being going on in faith and in the church for centuries, nor is there a need for that. But make sure you know what you want to add and what kind of follow-up is needed.
- Have a practice session with the course first, in particular if you want to involve outsiders. Practice first of all with a number of congregation members.
- Take your time to create the support base, ensuring church leaders must be behind it. Remember that a course will determine the image for your congregation.
- Think beforehand about the follow-up: what will you or your congregation have to offer after such a course?
Possible approach for the church
- Do the churches leaders want to set up and organise such a basic Christian introduction course in the name of the congregation? Is this something we will be committed to as a congregation? Which course are we thinking of? What could the possible follow-up be?
- Ask congregation members to set up a ‘trial course’, giving a number of church council member’s time and space to participate.
- Make sure you have good publicity to promote the course.
- Communicate clearly and frequently so that members are not just informed but involved. Ask them to invite people to take part in the course.
- Organise the course at reasonably regular intervals, every year or every two years. Do not give up too soon if there are not many takers.
- Involve as many members as possible by giving them each a small task.
