Joys and Challenges

Beth, Alpha Administrator at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church in North Carolina shares her greatest joys and struggles in running a course and why being connected to others is important to her.

 Greatest joys:

Seeing people's lives transformed and watching them grow in their understanding of Jesus in their head and heart.  Sometimes the changes look small on the outside.  People move from never coming to church, never opening up or never leaving the side of their friend to coming, opening up and engaging with others. It is so profoundly delightful.  And sometimes these are people in the church!

I remember one Friday night during the Weekend Away, we had a gathering around a campfire and began roasting marshmallows. It was relaxing and we had just heard about the Holy Spirit. I felt His presence in the spirit of everyone that night.  I knew He was helping us to come together. One of the guests on the course had been very argumentative and difficult to relate to, but briefly that eve he finally "entered in". For a short while it seemed he was heard and understood and responded to. Not sure if the Holy Spirit was working on us or him, hopefully both! That left a picture in my mind of a cool fall night and some sense of defeat being pushed back with a warm glowing fire and a unique moment of felt unity and kindness extended. It seemed a softening was done, and there was light in the dark.

This was my literal picture of what I crave for God to be doing in the lives of our guests and in those who labor on it: that we would welcome and love others and invite them into the circle - around the light of Jesus.

The growth I am personally experiencing isn't so shabby either.  The person of the Holy Spirit, His work of perseverance in my own journey and the sense of His abiding and guidance is deepening.

Greatest challenges:

First, getting folks in the church to not be scared, but to take part in the course, to own it because it is changing lives and offers hope for their friends and family. It is hard to find new ways to communicate this reality.  I wish more folks would realize this does fit with the churches' core values, to genuinely care for people, to give room for doubt, and to value honesty.

Second, I need help in building a team to run the course. I don't think I knew in the beginning how to build a team, or at least didn't grasp how pivotal it is. But I will say this: we are WAY further along than we were when we started in 2001. I am an introvert for pity's sake, team sports weren't my thing. And as I recall, my other efforts to lead in the past were a lot of gritting of teeth and just being plain ole bossy!

Sometimes I think, well, I sure am being challenged personally and growing and changing on the inside, but surely God doesn't want it to stop with just me, does He? I suspect not.  When I look at Jesus in the gospels, he has a sense of mission - it's His mission to glorify the Father and bring His love and justice to the nations.  He and Paul each prayed for His church. So... I can't seem to stop doing Alpha!

Being connected to others:

There is definitely a need to be connected to other churches doing Alpha. I need to talk these things through with others who may have had the same experience. I need their advice and encouragement. It also reminds me that others are passionate about seeing transformed lives, so I'm not nuts for spending so much time on it. I need relationship and support as well.

Sometimes it is easier asking a pastor, other than my own, how they juggle incorporating the course into a busy church. For some reason, it feels a little safer to be honest with them about some of the difficulties I may be facing. 

Beth Patrick: Alpha Administrator 
Church home: Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church
City, State: Durham, North Carolina
Started running Alpha: 2001