Alpha for a Fiver? Get real.

I did an Alpha course a few years ago. Having seen it advertised at a number of churches, I was curious about the course. My experience of how Alpha works is there is a meal at the start, a video or presentation, followed by a break into groups.

And it's free.

Based on pressure from the course attendees, a discreet bowl was placed so that those who wanted to contribute could. But there was absolutely no obligation to pay.

Today I was walking past a church and there was a sign outside inviting you to the introductory evening for their next Alpha course. After a meal, a well known local businessman would explain how his faith affects his life and business. Looks pretty interesting. Then the poster mentions "Important Stuff" Date, Location and the price, £5 per ticket.

A fiver?

Please tell me you are extracting the urine.

Only in tiny print at the bottom of the poster does it mention the Alpha classes are free.

I'm aware there's a cost to everything these days, but God's love is for everybody, not just those that can spare a fiver. A fiver is about 10% of the weekly income of someone receiving carers allowance. Your church is very near to the local college, and the town isn't the most affluent in the UK. Are you taking your divine inspiration from Field of Dreams? Do you really think that "If you bill them, they will come"?*1 Leave a discreet bowl for offerings, and those who can will, and through God, those who can't will repay you in kind a hundred times over.

You've just put up a poster that will keep away a lot of God's target audience. He wants the poor, and a fiver is a lot of cash. Unless it's a middle class social club you are trying to set up. If that's the case, enjoy your wine and canapés.

*1 OK, it's actually "if you build it, he will come." You already know that "if you bill them, they will come" is from somewhere completely different.