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God at Work
What is the course?
This course is based on Ken Costa's book ‘God At Work',and aims to equip Christians in finding purpose in their every day work, and to live it out effectively. The course comprises of 6 sessions, with each session designed to last an hour and run on a weekly basis. The course provides a Christian perspective on how to approach common challenges familiar to many such as:
• Purpose at Work
• Ambition & Life Choices
• Work-Life Balance
• Stress
• Failure & Hope
• How to Make Tough Decisions
The theme of spiritual renewal is carried throughout the course. Each session is interactive, containing teaching slots, individual and group exercises, and discussion with other guests where experiences can be shared.
The course is designed for small or mid-sized groups which can be run in either church groups or workplace fellowships. If your workplace fellowship is already running Alpha in the workplace then Alpha recommend the God at work course as an ideal follow-up course.
Courses may vary in Size and venue from one group to another. Some may choose to lead a course in a meeting room or canteen so that it can be slotted nicely into their day, where as others may choose to run the course in a more neutral location outside of the office after work in a bar or hall. The course material can also be used as a study tool in home groups where relationships have already been discovered. Some churches may consider using it for members of a congregation of which the theme of work appeals to.
There is no charge for attending a God at Work course except for the cost of materials which can be purchased on the Alpha shop. Some course leaders may choose to purchase the material for the group and then be reimbursed on the first session. We recommend that each guest has both a manual and a book to read during the duration of the course.
Who is it for?
The God at Work course is designed for Christians of all denominations whatever stage they are at in there walk with God. Whether its post Alpha or long standing Christians, this course has something to offer everyone. The material is relevant to everyone, in the sense that we all ‘work' in one way or another, whether we are currently employed or whether we plan to work in the future. The course is aimed at:
• Those in paid employment
• Those working in the voluntary sector
• Those who work but are not paid (eg, stay-at-home parents)
• Those who are between jobs
• Those currently not working, but who hope to work in the future (eg, students).
Guests attend the God at Work course for a variety of different reasons. For some it has been recommended by a friend, whereas others may be particularly interested in one of the discussion topics, Work-Life balance for example or possibly how to make tough decisions. Others may be looking for a career change and some may just be wondering how to apply their new found faith to their current working life. The God at Work course is also a great way to meet other Christians and build support and prayer networks within companies or maybe just build relationships with new friends
About the book:
In God at Work, Ken Costa writes about how the Christian faith should and can be lived out in day to day life at work. As a high profile banker in the City of London, he considers the challenges of living out his faith at work and speaks openly of his own struggles with ambition, money, relationships, success and failure.
By using the Biblical principles that underpin his faith and applying them to the 21st century workplace of today he offers practical advice on tackling the common problems familiar to many: the work-life balance, stress, ambition, failure and disappointment.
Real-life case studies of actual ethical dilemmas encountered in the business world show how people have sought to cope in the modern world by the difficult process of following the leading of the Holy Spirit in the whole of their lives.The book provides down to earth advice for all who struggle to apply their faith and encourages them to take it to work every day.
God at Work is not only for those already engaged in the exciting challenge of living out their Christian faith at work, but also for those exploring the bigger questions of life who would describe themselves as sympathetic to Christianity, but not quite as shareholders.
Chapters include:
• Ambition and Life Choices
• How to make tough decisions
• Work-Life Balance
• Stress
• Failure, disappointment and hope
• Money and Giving
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The Marriage Course
What is the marriage course?
A seven session course set in a fantastic atmosphere. You will be served a candlelit meal and/or coffee, tea and dessert at a romantic table for two while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD. There is never any group work and you will never be asked to share anything about your relationship with anyone other than your partner.
Who is it for?
The Marriage Course is for any couple who wants to invest in their relationship, whether you have been together 1 or 61 years and whether you have a strong relationship or are struggling.
Whatever your situation, the practical tools you learn will help improve and strengthen your relationship.
Why do the course?
Regular check-ups help a car run smoothly and reduce the risk of breakdown. - The best sports professionals spend hours being coached and perfecting their technique. - The greatest achievements in life take practice, training and dedication. It is the same with marriage. A strong, loving and lifelong relationship doesn't happen by chance. It takes effort and dedication to keep the fun and romance alive. We can all learn how to make even the happiest marriage better.
What can I expect?
The course takes place over seven evenings. A typical evening starts at 7pm and finishes by 9.45pm. Each session includes:
Fantastic atmosphere that many say feels like a date night. Courses are run in all kinds of venues - homes, restaurants, cafes (after hours), community halls, churches, even a cruise ship - but wherever your local course is run you should find a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome.
A meal at a romantic table for two giving you space to relax and chat. You will be served with a candlelit dinner and/or coffee, tea and dessert.
Practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD. They include filmed clips of couples sharing their own experiences and street interviews from around the world.
Coffee and private discussion time as a couple. You will be given topics to discuss (sometimes with the help of an exercise). Music is played so you can't hear couples on other tables and they can't hear you! No group work, so relax - you will not have to share anything about your relationship with anyone else.
Homework - at the end of each session you are given some homework to do together. This will help you to build on what you have learnt and give you the opportunity to apply it to your relationship. Don't worry, it won't be marked. It isn't looked at by anyone else and is just for your own benefit.
Session topics:
1. Building Strong Foundations - This session helps couples to look at their lifestyle and its effect upon their marriage, and to discover more about each other's needs and desires - particularly on an emotional level.
2. The Art of Communication - Listening is a vital skill for a strong marriage. In this session couples practise communicating their feelings and listening effectively to one another.
3. Resolving Conflict - In this session we look at how couples can increase their intimacy by expressing appreciation to each other, recognising their differences, learning to negotiate disagreements and praying for each other (if they feel comfortable doing so).
4. The Power of Forgiveness - This session addresses the ways we will inevitably have hurt each other and how to resolve these so we don't create a backlog of anger and resentment. We look at the process of healing through identifying the hurt, saying sorry and forgiving.
5. The Impact of Family - Past and Present - This session focuses on helping couples to recognise how their family background affects the way they relate to each other. They also consider how to build a good and healthy relationship with their parents, in-laws and wider family, and how hurt from childhood can be healed.
6. Good Sex - Sexual intimacy needs to be worked at and developed. It isn't just the icing on the cake; it's a vital ingredient of the cake itself. In this session couples are encouraged to talk about their sexual relationship and to recognise where they need to make changes.
7. Love in Action - This session looks at five ways of expressing love - through words, time, touch, presents and actions. Couples discover which expression of love is most important for their partner and how to put this into practice.
What is the cost?
Most courses charge a minimal fee to cover costs. Your local course administrator will be able to let you know how much you'll need to pay. (Many courses also offer bursaries.)
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The Marriage Preparation Course
What is it?
A five session course set in a fantastic atmosphere. You will be served with a candlelit meal and/or coffee, tea and dessert in a romantic setting while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD.
There is never any group work and you will never be asked to share anything about your relationship with anyone other than your partner.
Why do the Course?
If you're like most people you prepare and plan for many things in life: education, career, retirement and holidays. And most couples spend up to 250 hours planning their wedding, but very little time, if any, planning for married life. There are many things you can do to begin building a lifelong, happy marriage. Investing in your relationship before you are married will reap rewards for many years to come.
About the Course
The course takes place over five evenings. A typical evening starts at 7pm and finishes by 9.45pm.
What can I expect?
Fantastic atmosphere that many say feels like a date night. Courses are run in all kinds of venues - homes, restaurants, cafes (after hours), community halls, churches, even a cruise ship - but wherever your local course is run you should find a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome.
A meal - you will probably sit together with two other engaged couples and a married couple known as a ‘support couple' (they will be your hosts for the course). You can chat to the others or just use the time to talk to each other. At no time on the course will you have to disclose anything personal to anyone else.
Practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD. They include filmed clips of couples talking about their own experiences of marriage.
Coffee and discussion time as a couple. You will be given opportunities to discuss the topics with your fiancé(e). Music is played so you can't hear couples and they can't hear you! No group work, so relax - you will not have to share anything about your relationship with anyone else.
Homework - at the end of each session you are given some homework to do together. This will help you to build on what you have learnt and give you the opportunity to apply it to your relationship. Don't worry - it won't be marked! It isn't looked at by anyone else and is just for your own benefit.
Session topics
1. Communication - This session helps couples see how important effective communication is for a strong marriage and how communication is affected by personality, family background and circumstances. Couples look at what it means to talk about their feelings and they practise listening to each other.
2. Commitment - Commitment lies at the heart of the marriage covenant and is reflected in the marriage service vows. In this session couples consider the meaning of these vows and then look at how to live out this commitment th rough making quality time for each other on a regular basis and separating appropriately from their parents.
3. Resolving Conflict - Conflict can either destroy a marriage or, if handled well, strengthen it. Couples consider how to handle anger, appreciate their differences, look for solutions together and practice forgiveness. Organising finances, a primary cause of conflict in marriage is also addressed.
4. Keeping Love Alive - This session looks at how love must be deliberately nurtured in a marriage through couples nurturing their friendship, discovering how the other feels loved and developing their sexual relationship
5. Shared Goals and Values - While appreciating their differences, couples need to agree on their goals and core values. In this session couples have the opportunity to discuss their priorities for the future, the roles they expect to fulfil and the building of spiritual togetherness.
FOCCUS Questionnaire:
Before the course starts you will be asked to complete a questionnaire called FOCCUS (most but not all courses will use FOCCUS as part of The Marriage Preparation Course). This questionnaire will ask about different aspects of your relationship. It is not a test nor is it a predictor of whether your marriage will succeed or fail. It is a tool to help highlight any important issues that you would benefit from discussing before you get married.
Before the course starts you will be asked to complete a questionnaire called FOCCUS (most but not all courses will use FOCCUS as part of The Marriage Preparation Course). This questionnaire will ask about different aspects of your relationship. It is not a test nor is it a predictor of whether your marriage will succeed or fail. It is a tool to help highlight any important issues that you would benefit from discussing before you get married.
It is by no means compulsory to complete the questionnaire but most couples find it very useful. Once you have completed it you will have the opportunity to discuss the results with a support couple.
Who is it for?
The Marriage Preparation Course is for any engaged couple who wants to give their marriage the best possible start. It doesn't matter how long you have been engaged - some couples have set a wedding date, while others have not. Or if you have been living together and would like to explore the idea of getting married, or if one or both of you have been married before.
Whilst the course is based on Christian principles, it is designed for all couples with or without a church background. You do not need to be getting married in a church to come on the course.
Support couples
You will be introduced to your support couple on the first evening. They will be a couple who have been married for at least two years. If the course you are attending is using the FOCCUS questionnaire, they will invite you to a meal at their home where you will have the opportunity to talk through any issues that have been raised by the course or through the questionnaire. Again, this is by no means compulsory but has been greatly appreciated by many couples.
What is the cost?
The cost of the course will vary at different venues. A basic charge is made to cover the cost of the meals and materials. Please check with your local course to find out what they charge.
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The Parenting Course
What is the course about?
In this category there are 2 courses available: Parenting Children and Parenting Teenagers. These courses are fun, practical and very easy to run. The Parenting Course is for any parents, step-parents, prospective parents or carers of children and teenagers.
Why do the course?
· Parenting children and teenagers is harder than ever for most parents today
· No role we undertake in life is more important than parenting
We are the main influence on our children’s future. Discovering we are not alone in the challenges we face and picking up ideas from other parents can make a huge difference. Meeting our child’s deepest needs, setting healthy boundaries, helping to develop their emotional health and teaching them how to make good choices takes skill and dedication. Taking time to reflect on our end goal can help us to build our relationship with our children now.
A) The Parenting Children Course
Over 5 weeks that can be broken into 10 shorter sessions Nicky and Sila Lee draw on their own experience to give valuable advice and practical tips. The course is for those parenting 0 to 10-year-olds. After the talk there is small group discussion.
The sessions are:
· Building strong foundations
· Meeting our children’s needs
· Setting boundaries
· Teaching healthy relationships
· Our long term aim
B) The Parenting Teenagers Course
Over 5 weeks, that can be broken into 10 shorter sessions. The course is for those parenting 11 to 18-year-olds and for those with younger children who wish to prepare for the teenage years. After the talk there is small group discussion.
The sessions are:
· Keeping the end in mind
· Meeting our teenager’s needs
· Setting boundaries
· Developing Emotional Health
· Helping our teenagers make good choices
What materials/resources are needed for the course and for training the team?
Children:
· The Parenting Children Course Guest Manual
· The Parenting Children Course Leaders Manual
· An Introduction To The Parenting Children Course And The Parenting Teenagers Course
· The Parenting Children Course Introductory Guide For Guests
· The Parenting Children Course DVD With Leaders' Guide
· The Parenting Children Course Starter Pack
· The Parenting Book by Nicky and Sila Lee
Teenagers:
· The Parenting Teenagers Course Guest Manual
· The Parenting Teenagers Course Leaders Manual
· An Introduction To The Parenting Children Course And The Parenting Teenagers Course
· The Parenting Teenagers Course Introductory Guide For Guests
· The Parenting Teenagers Course DVD With Leaders' Guide
· The Parenting Teenagers Course Starter Pack
· The Parenting Book by Nicky and Sila Lee
What is the cost of the course / materials?
The costs for the materials are on the Vision Ministries website. The cost to do the course depends on the church but usually would involve the cost of the manuals and possibly the food provided, if the course administrator decides to provide meals. The church may opt to ask for donations only for the meals.
How long does it run for?
Both courses run over 5 weeks
Where/when does it run?
It can be run in a home, church or any other venue suitable for parents
Do you use DVD’s or books for the running of it?
You can purchase DVD’s with the talks on them
Who is the speaker on the DVD?
Nicky and Sila Lee are the authors and speakers on the DVD
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24/7 Prayer
24-7 Prayer is an international, interdenominational movement of prayer, mission and justice that began with a single, student-led prayer vigil in Chichester, England in 1999 and has spread, by word-of-mouth, into 100+ nations. All over the world the Holy Spirit is awakening watchmen to pray night and day. In more than half of the nations of the world 24/7 prayer watches or night and day prayer watches, are already functioning. 24/7 prayer watches are increasing at a phenomenal rate.
For more than a decade the global 24-7 prayer meeting has continued unbroken, impacting locations as diverse as the US Naval Academy, a German punk festival, war-zones and underground churches, the slums of Delhi, the jungles of Papua New Guinea, ancient English cathedrals and even a brewery in Missouri. Along the way, this unusual prayer meeting has given rise to numerous new initiatives, communities and ministries particularly focusing on the poor, the marginalised, students and those outside the reach of normal expressions of church.
Alpha SA runs 24/7 Prayer Conferences where we train people on various models of prayer that can be implemented into churches or small groups. One of the things we train people to do is to set up and run a 24/7 prayer room.
Aim of 24/7 Prayer
The aim of the 24/7 prayer vision for South Africa is to see our people and churches uniting and covering our country in prayer every minute of every day. Scripture teaches that night and day prayer is crucial for the fullness of God's power and purpose to be released (Lk. 18:7-8; Isa. 62:6-7). We desire to offer Jesus unceasing adoration, while contending for justice and the power of the Holy Spirit to be manifest and bring transformation in our country.
We are best equipped to reach out to others when our lives are rooted in prayer that focuses on intimacy with God and intercession for a breakthrough of the fullness of God's power and purpose for this generation.
How does it work in practice?
Last night, as you slept someone, somewhere was praying 24-7. In fact, right now, as you read these words, people are interceding in scores of locations around the world. This has been continuing every minute of every hour of every day since 1999. Participating groups simply find a venue in which to establish a night-and-day prayer vigil by splitting each day into one-hour shifts, thus filling anything from a weekend to many years with an unbroken chorus of prayer and worship. Keeping rules to a minimum, we simply encourage groups to make their place of prayer as creative and accessible as possible, and to particularly focus on young people and the emerging culture.
How to run a 24/7 prayer room
Guidelines for 24-7-365 prayer watches:
It is one thing to keep a prayer watch going for seven days, but quite a different matter to keep a prayer watch going for 365 days, year in and year out
you need dedicated facilitators to keep a prayer watch going
you need enough dedicated intercessors
you will need a dedicated room that you can decorate and keep open day and night for people to pray in
it requires careful planning, clear guidance and motivation
A team is required to keep such a prayer watch going: a general coordinator; coordinators for every day of the week; an administrative team and preferably an administrative office; a team that can collect prayer material, process it and make it available to intercessors in print or via e-mail; a team that will take responsibility for cleaning and decorating the prayer venue; someone to work out the prayer time-table; etc.
There must be an ongoing process to recruit new intercessors to join in the prayer watch. They must take the place of those who move to other towns or cities or who become tired and drop out.
It is imperative to frequently motivate intercessors to carry on and to equip them for more intense prayer. Remember that some of them participate in the prayer watch as individuals or as members of small groups, and that they do not necessarily have any contact with the other intercessors. Intercessors can easily feel isolated and then lose courage.
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Caring for Ex-offenders
Rebuilding the lives of individuals after they leave prison involves the help of organisations working across the criminal justice system, churches and volunteers. The CFEO office is keen to work alongside each of these groups to help settle individuals back into their communities.
Organisations working in the criminal justice system
We work closely with related organisations by putting ex-offenders in touch with support agencies.
Support agencies are involved in the resettlement of ex-offenders, and include the following:
housing agencies
employment agencies
churches
local police; probation services
health services
Churches
Prison chaplains make the first contact between the prisoner and the CFEO office. Self referrals are also made, and in both cases we will establish the support needed through the completion of an initial contact sheet and a risk assessment.
During this initial assessment period, a review is made of the individual needs of the ex-offender, and support is then put in place through contact with the various agencies. Ideally, the support organisation will be in contact with the prisoner before their release from prison, in order to establish a relationship early on.
Due to the nature of tagging, this may not always be possible before the release date.
Volunteers
The CFEO office has identified, trained and supports a pool of volunteers involved in the resettlement of ex-offenders.
The role of volunteers is wide and covers key jobs such as:
meeting individuals at the gate on release day
befriending individuals
helping with completion of forms, CVs, benefit applications etc
supporting individuals at interviews for housing
helping in other practical ways
Mentors
Volunteers who choose to mentor ex-offenders receive training in skills such as listening and coaching, which enables them to respond to the needs of ex-offenders.
Mentors meet regularly with their mentees, offering them the opportunity to talk through issues, ranging from relationships to how to respond to practical matters - for example, completing benefit forms
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Worship Central
Worship
Central is a school of worship from Alpha International, led by Tim Hughes
& Al Gordon.
The vision is to Encounter God,
Equip the worshipper and Empower the local church.
Since
launching in 2006, over 100,000 worship leaders, musicians and worshippers have
attended training events around the world and used the online resource,
www.worshipcentral.org.
Tim
Hughes writes "there’s a real need to train worship leaders spiritually,
practically and with good leadership skills. Our passion is to see the worship
life of the local church around the world explode."
In
2011 Worship Central launched the Worship Central Course.
This
7 session course provides material that allows local worship leaders in
churches around the world to train their worship teams in theology of worship;
develop their musicianship and songwriting abilities; and explore key
leadership values. It
is hoped that this material will help churches train their teams all over the
world. The seven sessions include:
1. Why is worship central?
2. Encounter God
3. Leading worship
4. Releasing creativity
5. The effective team
6. How to play together
7. The authentic leader
The
Worship Central South Africa journey is seeing leaders teaming up, teams being
equipped and Worship being ignited across the nation. To register for the Worship Central Course or to find out more information please email worshipcentral@alphasa.co.za