A PC Presentation

No, it's not PC as in, "politically correct." Rather, it refers to the Presbyterian Church.

I was invited to give a presentation on Alpha to members of the Edmonton-Lakeland Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Canada (PCC),at Callingwood Road Presbyterian Church in Edmonton.

It was a 3-hour presentation, plus lunch, so it went from 10 to 2.

I included a section explaining what Alpha is, why it's particularly effective for evangelizing in today's culture, and a session (see pic) on Alpha's model of prayer ministry.

I must admit that I may be overly sensitive in one particular area of Alpha, and that is the subject of being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving the gift of tongues; especially among mainline denominations.

In fact, whether in my own Alpha small groups or speaking with some pastors who may not, or whose denominations may not, agree with Alpha's position on speaking in tongues, I always give them an, "out," so to speak. I tell them that this is an area in which not all Christians agree, are free not to, and that if they are uncomfortable with it, just let it go. I do say not to leave it out, because trying to avoid speaking about the gift of tongues is like not telling your kids about the facts of life and hoping they won't hear about them anywhere else.

So I gave that little disclaimer before my talk, I showed a short video by Alpha Canada's own Jason Ballard on prayer training, then ran the entire episode form the Alpha's Youth Film Series on being filled with the Holy Spirit, including receiving the gift of tongues. I was a bit surprised when, at the end of it, one guest asked, "What could possibly be controversial about that?"

We closed out the session by following Alpha's model of inviting the Holy Spirit to come, then finally praying for one another in groups of three or four at our tables.

I'm afraid I haven't yet been in touch with my host for the day,  Pastor Rodger McEachern for feedback on the day, because the very next day I was off to Loon Lake BC for the Alpha Canada staff retreat. 

That will be the subject of another post.

Blessings,

John

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