Alpha Online is proving to be an effective way for churches to introduce people to next steps and engaging guests from their weekend broadcasts. Many are finding lasting faith in Jesus. And Alpha Canada has made it free and easy to use.

Bethel in Barrhead started Alpha three weeks ago. We’ve had 19 screens, at least 21 participants, 45% of which are guests to Bethel, and an attendance return rate of 95%. Alpha is one of our best outreaches during Covid.

Setting Up Alpha Online

1. Choose an Online Solution

Some recommended services are Zoom, WebEx, and Google Hangouts.

2. Recruit Hosts/facilitators

We recruited four individuals who previously led onsite Alpha groups. We anticipated 12-15 participants. 

3. Decide on the Format

Have all participants dial in to one web conference to watch the video/talk and then break out into individual discussion groups. Or provide the weekly video to all hosts and have each group join into their own web conference.

4. Materials

Alpha provides:

• Online Team Training

• An Alpha Toolbox

• Talks

• Resources For Guests

• The Alpha Weekend Online

• Checklists and Sample Schedules

• Valuable Resources like Searching Issues and Questions of Life

The Guest Guide is the equivalent to the physical study guide and needs to be sent out weekly. 

The Holy Spirit weekend is handled on a portion of a Saturday or a day that best suits your participants.

5. Promotion

• In our Sunday broadcasts we described Alpha as a “next step” in learning about Jesus.

• We invited people by creating a Facebook Event.

• We encouraged believers at Bethel to invite their contacts and share the Facebook event.

6. Takeaways From Our Alpha Experience

i. One online leader reflected, “Body language, eye contact, food, time to get to know each other personally are important but not possible online. However online is better than nothing. Online makes it possible and if it is between being possible or not, I pick possible.”

ii. The first talk is an invite to a meal, a short video, to start guests thinking about Jesus' claims about himself, and that there are facts that support those claims. This is where everyone decides if they want to return the following week. Drop-off is to be expected.

iii. In our first session, two of the attendees had no video, and one had no audio. It was difficult to keep the conversation going. By the 2nd week we helped both participants use video and audio. 

iv. If you have more than 10 participants and leaders, set up Breakout Rooms for the discussion time. Start with no less than 6-8 viewers in each breakout room. Online groups are more challenging to engage but it does work well.

v. Online presents a greater challenge from interruptions. (e.g. when you say 'uh huh' in person it does not interrupt, but online any sound interrupts.)

vi. Once in breakout groups, try to get to know your people better. Spend a couple of minutes asking about their week, their life, whatever. It's the equivalent to pie and ice-cream without the calories. One of the reasons Alpha is successful is its relational nature. 

vii. Facilitators meet early on the Zoom call so they can talk about any issues that may have come up, or questions they have. Hang on after the call so they can debrief their experience.

7. Online Hospitality 

Communicate Well

Send weekly emails re-capping the previous week’s talk/discussion and ask guests to share their thoughts via email. Make sure to check-in if someone missed a night.

Session Engagement

Make sure either the course host or group host is engaging right from the beginning of the online session – saying hello to people, ask questions, or tell jokes. Avoid the silent downtime to keep excitement and enthusiasm high.

Chat functionality

Encourage hosts, helpers, and guests to utilize the chat functionality to comment and ask questions during the video as well as during discussion time when others are talking.

Start up Alpha Online and share your learnings in the comment section below. Thank you.

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