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How do you get more people through the doors of your church? It may sound like the opening line of an elephants in phone boxes joke but it is a very real ecumenical conundrum which the parish of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), London, has successfully addressed through its Alpha Courses--a series of evangelistic talks aimed at people wanting to know more about Christianity. In Telling Others, Nicky Gumbel, the man in charge of Alpha at HTB, deals with the practicalities of organising a course in the no-nonsense manner you would expect of a former barrister. The book is split up into six main chapters, Principles, Practicalities, Pastoral Care, Leading Small Groups, Giving Talks and Ministry, interspersed with compelling testimonies from those whose lives have been transformed by finding Christ. Gumbel sets out a powerful argument for evangelism being most effective if friendship-based and carried out through local churches, stressing that in increasingly fragmented societies, belonging comes before believing for many people. He is also full of practical advice for church members who are hot on helping yet feel cold at the thought of giving a public talk--stick to three points illustrated by concrete examples and applied to real life. Alpha may be about introducing people to the spiritual high of a relationship with God but you need a dose of pragmatism if a course is to run smoothly, which is why Telling Others is indispensable. The last word should go to George Carey, the Archbishop of Canterbury: I think its superb. I commend it wholeheartedly. --Amanda Cameron

How do you get more people through the doors of your church? It may sound like the opening line of an elephants in phone boxes joke but it is a very real ecumenical conundrum which the parish of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), London, has successfully addressed through its Alpha Courses--a series of evangelistic talks aimed at people wanting to know more about Christianity. In Telling Others, Nicky Gumbel, the man in charge of Alpha at HTB, deals with the practicalities of organising a course in the no-nonsense manner you would expect of a former barrister. The book is...  Read More