Attenders: Apologies: Bob Horsey OAPC Chair Dave Atkins, Asst. ARA Rev. Archie Hunter, ARA Peter Runia Laurie-Ann Copple, Rec sec Tony Copple, Secretary 591-3903, tonyc@ncf.ca Guests included: Pat Horsey, Ann and Bob Bird, Joan and Richard Morris, Jessis Beaudoin, Chris Slojewski, Barb Parent, Lilian Rotar, Pat Rushworth, Bert Hopkins, Judy Gibbon, Capt Bob Stewart, Andrew Herbst, Mary Wells, Jill Allan, John Wright. There were 26 people altogether, so if you were there but did not sign in, please e-mail or call back to the Secretary for the record.Alpha - "An in-depth overview of the Christian faith"
Minutes of November 16, 2000 meeting.
1. Opening Address - Tony Copple
Tony opened the meeting with prayer and read the forward of the Canadian Prayer Assembly booklet, which was written by Michael Green. The article is extremely positive about the impact of Alpha around the world in reaching the lost and in breaking down denominational barriers.
2. "The Vision" - Dave Atkins
Dave reported to the group why Alpha conferences are held. A synopsis of his vision included: "Why? To help us bring as many people to Jesus as possible." He gave examples from the Burnaby BC Alpha conference for Catholics (July 2000). The bishop of that local area remarked that "Alpha is the best method of evangelism we’ve come across." Another leader gave testimony that Alpha also shows a faith journey.
Dave said that from his impression of the follow-up of the Ottawa Billy Graham mission, Alpha is a wonderful way to feed the new Christians, as well as to deeper evangelize those still seeking after hearing Billy Graham. He says that there are thirty thousand left in the harvest field of mission attendees who didn’t give a commitment.
Dave also shared that intercession is essential when holding an Alpha. He gave an past example of trying to do an Alpha on their own steam (during a dip in numbers), and then after they had committed to pray - the attendance increased six-fold. Even Holy Trinity Brompton had a dip until their intercessors prayed. It is now up to 700 attendees there on a course.
He gave testimony of many healings at his Alpha group - which included health professionals as the recipients. There were also words of knowledge which had significant impact on the young marrieds group. Yet in spite of these experiences of God showing up, Alpha is still the "best kept secret in town."
Dave also discussed the impact of Alpha graduates, who have been empowered to serve in many church opportunities. Alpha has also shown an interdenominational witness to the unchurched by breaking down denominational barriers and in seeing the participants’ lives and families changed. It has passed from church to church in different denominations throughout the area.
A conference would be a great opportunity to learn, grow and work with our brothers and sisters as well as an opportunity to fulfill the great commission.
3. Memories of 1997 and 1998 conferences - Bob Horsey
Bob Horsey reported on the two conferences he attended - both the one in Ottawa in 1997, and one at Holy Trinity Brompton in 1998. The first one was scheduled shortly after his own first Alpha ended. He said it was "an incredible experience and a very large undertaking." There were 640 delegates who attended the Ottawa 1997 conferences, with a representation of 200 churches. Bob gave answers to some frequently asked questions:
Why attend an Alpha conference?
Attending an Alpha conference gives infusion, motivation and new ideas to active and potential Alpha leaders. There is a good programme (that includes worship) that is already worked out by the Alpha Canada people themselves. We don’t have to provide specific leadership.
What goes on at a conference?
There is teaching, but also much contacting, networking and fellowship with Christians of all denominations. There is a lot of meat in the teaching as well. The main talks include the practicalities of setting up an Alpha, leading small groups, pastoral care, how to integrate Alpha into your church, etc. The evenings include dinner and a synposis of a Holy Spirit weekend (shortened to one night). There are also detailed seminars of worship, prayer, administration, youth Alpha and other topics. These teachings inspired Bob and Pat to lead an Alpha course themselves. A conference also gives you an opportunity to interact with others leading Alpha, and to see how others are doing it.
Bob and Pat were fortunate to visit Holy Trinity Brompton while they were having an Alpha conference in 1999. Their conference followed the basic pattern of the Ottawa one, with some small changes.
4. "Information Dump": committee structure, who do we need? - Tony Copple
Tony illustrated the shear size of Alpha today by using the example of how the Beatles’ CD Beatles 1 is number one in 28 countries. However, Alpha is the number one method for average people to bring their friends to Christ in 118 countries. Alpha is bigger than the Beatles! Alpha grows through friends bringing friends, such as Bob, who drew both Dave and Tony to Alpha courses, and who knows how many more people.
An Alpha Conference allows us to jump-start the whole process of people bringing their friends with a whole new population.
Tony reported that Alpha Canada will help us with the conference, although the Holy Trinity Brompton team would not be available. They only come once to a given location. Elaine Young, Alpha Canada's Events Coordinator for Eastern Canada, has also advised that Alpha Canada is very supportive of an Ottawa Alpha conference in the 2001 timeframe.
He reported that of the feedback he’s received so far, one person has volunteered to be registrar (Jenny Moore), and most other feedback has been positive. Two expressed concern that we may not have resources to have another conference and that we already did one in 1997. However, Alpha Canada says that it is better and easier to have a second or even third conference in a given location. They will provide all key speakers, and we will contribute seminars and workshops from local resources.
Tony referred to the Holy Spirit mini-conference here in September, with attendance of 90 and very well appreciated (tapes for this day are available by calling or e-mailing Tony). He felt that this experience should give us confidence for the larger task of a full conference. Indeed, if they are willing it would be excellent to incorporate Archie and Ken's presention in this conference, since it's a proven effective module.
Tony discussed the breakdown of what kind of leaders we need and their job descriptions. We need four ‘stand out leaders’ with teams under them. The conference committee chairperson should be someone of stature, well known and respected by the established church communities in this area. A rough breakdown of people resources might be a conference chair, plus chairs of networking and organizing committees, a ministry team leader and, a prayer team head, 20+ committee workers, 20+ ushers etc for the day, 20+ intercessors: a total of 60 - 80 people.
5. The decision
Pros
- Dave Atkins shared that we was encouraged by the attendance during the mini-conference. Archie was expecting only fifteen and was amazed by the 90 who showed up.
- Tony said that this conference would be targetted at all; not just Alpha leaders and clergy, increasing potential numbers. A conference allows churches to learn how to do Alpha without having to take the course first at another church.
- there was a suggestion of offering two kinds of programmes - A for beginners new to Alpha, and B for those who have taken Alpha.
- possible opportunity to "re-fire" the burned out leaders (Ann Bird gave example of long-running Alpha courses at St Paul’s in Almonte (18 Alphas)
Cons
Mary Wells was given an image of a stork lifting up Ottawa in its net.
Others were given the impression of "letting My people go. We need to help the people." Judy Gibbon related that we need to help those people in bringing others, feeding the labourers, re-firing burnout people, rekindling the flame within our spirits, and igniting our love for Jesus. It is our responsibility to do this, not just to draw in new people.
Ann Bird suggested that ‘feeding’ needs to be part of the planning.
Tony received a word to ask everyone in the group together to raise a hand if they not only wanted the conference to proceed, but would also volunteer for working on it. The response was unanumous. The Conference is a "Go."
7. The next steps
a) Money
Contributing churches should contribute $150. each. We need to notify all our churches, so they can include it in their budgets in advance. Delegates from those congregations would pay a reduced price for their tickets.
b) Networking committee
We urgently need a networking committee chairperson to help nominate leaders and to prepare for the conference. There was a discussion about conference handbooks that Tony has available to e-mail. Tony also told everyone of the Ottawa Alpha site: www.ncf.ca/alpha (many didn’t know about it).
We need a conference committee chairperson, a networking committee chairperson and an organizing committee chairperson. We also need a ministry team leader and a leader for the intercessory team (see diagram of needed leaders).
Dave Atkins shared that he has a co-worker who was involved in sound for the last conference. He offered his list of volunteer contacts from the last conference.
c) ‘Targets’
Elaine Young had suggested that we consider focusing on the following groups for the conference:
1. (to be inclusive of) Roman Catholics (Ottawa’s Christian population is 60 per cent Catholic)
2. Francophones (by translation and / or French workshops)
3. Prison Alpha.
Captain Bob Stewart also invited people to come serve on the Alpha courses at the Innes Rd corrections facilities. Apart from the need by the inmates, the experience of individuals could be shared at the conference.
Tony suggested that attending the Bramalea conference May 4,5(?) 2001 would be very beneficial for any organizers of our conference, and particularly those interested in prison Alpha, since Paul Cowley will be the keynote speaker there.
Another possible ‘target’ would be to plan and strategize for other unreached groups - such as Baseline’s ‘four holes’ apartments.
8. The meeting was closed in prayer by Laurie-Ann Copple
Next meeting: Monday, 7 pm, January 29, 2000. Location probably Glen Cairn United Church.
Minutes taken by Laurie-Ann Copple
Written up December 11, 2000