The Alpha meal - is it really needed?
Yes! Whether it's supper, brunch or a lunchtime sandwich, eating together is an integral part of the Alpha program…it's a great time to get to know your guests!
People seem to relax when food is involved and Alpha just isn't Alpha without a meal! Some people even say that they only came along for the food - at first!
As with all aspects of the Alpha course, it is vital to provide a meal of the highest standard and, although this can be a lot of work for the team, it is well worth the effort. The guests really appreciate the care and love which goes into preparing and serving a tasty meal. Courses, which don't include a meal, tend to report poorer results.
The Task Force is a critical part of the Alpha team. These people set up and clear away tables, plan menus, purchase ingredients and cook the meal. Sometimes it can seem a bit daunting to attempt to provide a meal for a group, but as thousands of course administrators can testify, it is possible and what a difference it makes!
Smaller churches have often needed to be creative in how they organize the catering! For example, they will provide the same recipe to members of the congregation who then cook a casserole and drop it off at the venue the night of the Alpha course. Alternatively, the leaders and helpers can take turns cooking dinner. Eventually, as a course grows, it is better for the leaders not to have responsibility for food preparation, as they need to be free to chat to their guests as they arrive.
Recipes for meals on Alpha can be simple but do ensure food is nicely presented, just as you would take care to prepare and serve a nice meal to people coming to your home. Ideas include simple pasta dishes, various casseroles, chili con carne, and pizza. Make sure you have a vegetarian alternative as required. Serve the main dish with a salad, bread or rolls, and a simple dessert.
Eating together is an essential part of Alpha. It gives people the chance to relax and to get to know one another. Friendships grow throughout the course, especially within the small groups, in an extraordinary way.
|
|
| | | (Guest) | 01/11/2010 13:07 | It would seem that you would want to mention that you are following Christ's model of feeding, healing and preaching. His first great miracle was at a wedding feast.
| | | | Amanda Marie (Guest) | 03/06/2010 18:34 | We are a small church with no kitchen facilities available and I prayed about the catering a lot as I was preparing to lead the course. One of our church members is the manager of a local restaurant and in answer to prayer his restaurant is catering our Alpha suppers at a very good rate and the manager delivers the hot food as part of his service to the church. Our guests are so impressed with the quality of the food - restaurant quality! I should have trusted the Lord would provide - my Pastor kept telling me it would work out and that all we had to was to keep praying!
| | | | Heather (Guest) | 05/13/2010 23:26 | Ah yes, there is nothing like a good meal, except a good Bible based teaching. Let's see, Satan tried to tempt a very hungry Jesus to turn stones into bread when he was at His weakest and Jesus said - "It is written, Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Are we to be lead by our stomachs or God's word? Remember what our Lord said to Martha when she was complaining to Jesus that Mary was not helping her with the meal prep. Jesus replied that Mary had chosen that good part, which was sitting at Jesus feet to hear what He had to say, and it would not be taken from her. What is more important - carnal food or spiritual food? Unless of course the "spiritual food" presented by the Alpha Course leaves you still hungry. Jesus told the crowd of 5000 he fed in John 6:26 "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me not because you saw the signs ,but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." the word here is chortazo which started out to mean feeding farm animals out in the field but then progressed to the dinner table and then to signify food in abundance. What did Jesus say to his disciples when he was talking to the woman at the well? - "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." Jesus told the disciples that when they went out to minister by twos to eat what ever was put in front of them, good or not. I have been given the gift of hospitality and I love cooking for anyone! But I refuse to use my God given gift to prostitute the gospel. There are hungry Chinese christians that stand for hours in not so cumphy conditions to hear the word of God, I'm pretty sure there are no meals of "high standard" served there, no Chinese take out. A person should grow in their walk with the Lord based upon their "chewing on" the word of God, not a buffalo wing, pray in tongues if you need to "stir up" your most holy faith, not a pan of gormet brownies. Yes, we should share meals together with joy and thanksgiving, but that should not be the focus or the "lure" - the gospel is. The Alpha course comes from the Anglican and Roman Catholic church- not known for their solid Biblical teachings, they support salvation through works alone and allow homosexuals to be in the pulpit. Yes, I am legalistic, I support the 10 commandments just like Jesus does, I do not support the dead legal traditions of men. Don't even try to give me the "judge not" speech, those that use that lame excuse have not read Matt 7:1-5 in context, Jesus speaks of "practicing what you preach" not judging if a teaching is based on sound doctrine, this is what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, read the whole chapter it is quite filling. Wake up sheep, the wolves are out and they are serving just another heaping helping of a"pasta"cy, to fatten you up for the slaughter. A"pasta"cy get it?!
| | | | jennie (Guest) | 09/02/2010 05:01 | Thank you for your contribution Heather. The church in England, where Alpha started, is Bible based. You'd be happy with their doctrine and discipleship. Maybe you should listen to some of their sermons . . . http://www.htb.org.uk/downloads
Be blessed.
| | | | yvonne (Guest) | 11/19/2010 21:22 | We are in the middle of our first Alpha course, and as the "Alpha Chef" for our group ~ I really enjoy serving the Lord by preparing dishes for all to enjoy.
Does anyone have some great menu suggestions to share? We meet for an evening meal on Sundays...so far, we have had:
Chicken Cordon Bleu with Broccoli-Rice Casserole, Baked fruit stacks, Oatmeal pan rolls and Stawberry-Angelfood dessert
Oven Steak in Gravy, Whipped potatoes deluxe, Glazed carrots, butterhorn rolls and Cheesecake
Ham Balls, Cheesy hashbrowns, Corn, homemade crossiants and Apple crisp
Lasagna with garlic toast, Garden salad, and Sherbet in Pizzelle bowls
Chicken Tetrazinni, Green beans, Fruit salad, butterhorn rolls, Carrot cake
Any one have some other great ideas to share?
Smoked Pork Chops, Cranberry-Spinach Salad, Baby Red Potatoes, Cherry Crepes
| | | | hooher tod (Guest) | 09/14/2011 02:19 | Yes there should realize the reader to RSS my feed to RSS commentary, quite simply
| | | | Celeste (Guest) | 11/10/2011 08:49 | Thisis my husband Marty and my first time cooking for ALPHA at Celebration in Omaha. We are loving it and having fun. So far we have done some really great meals.
Chicken Marsala w/Rosemary Roasted Garlic Red Potatoes, Summer and Zucchini squash saute' w/rolls salads and desserts. Mac & Cheese for the kids.
Rosemary Garlic Pork Loin w/mash potatoes and gravy, Green Beans Almondine, w/rolls salads and desserts.
Chicken and Rice casserole w/broccoli and salads and desserts. Hot Dogs for the kids.
5 Cheese Italian Meat Lasagna w/Garlic Bread, salads and desserts.
Big Island Meatloaf, Homemade Garlic Mash Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, w/salads and desserts. Fettuccini Alfredo for the kids.
My famous Chicken Enchiladas w/a tomatillo and roasted tomatoe cream sauce, homemade refires w/bacon and cheese, Spanish Rice, Homemade Roasted Chipotle Salsa and all the toppings and desserts. Nacho cheese and chips for the kids.
Beef Stroganoff over pasta, broccoli, w/rolls, salads and desserts. Mac and Cheese for the kids.
Next week Roasted Pork Loin stuffed with Apple Sage Stuffing, gravy, Green Bean Casserole w/rolls, salads and desserts. Cheese Pizza for the kids.
The salads and desserts are brought in by volunteers weekly. We just have to focus on the main meal and sides.
|
|
|
| |
| |
Register/Update a Course
Contact Us
