Every six months or so I receive in the mail a brochure outlining the vast array of course options in my local community training college. For a relatively small amount of money I could learn advanced Photoshop, Thai cooking, or even belly dancing.

However, I don't recall seeing a course in the brochure about Christianity.

Given the range of options available, I wondered why no-one had decided to offer their services as an expert in this area of knowledge and practice.

Too often we think that the only logical place for a person to do an Introducing God course is a church. Sure, it's a good place to do it, but what if we could advertise it along with other courses? And what if we could even run it in the same neutral venue as the other community training?

Have you ever approached a community college to offer to teach an introductory Christianity course? If so, what was the response? If not, then what has stopped you?

If you are successful in them employing you to run a course, then make sure that the course isn't free. The sure-fire way to make the course look second-rate is to give it away for nothing. Charging money will ensure that people are keen to participate, and that your course doesn't seem to be of little value or worth.

Then, once enquirers have attended the course, you could offer advanced Christianity for free at your church premises.

On a related note, has anyone written a 'how to go to church' course?

When I was paying for my fuel on the weekend at a service station, I got into a conversation with the person behind the counter. He asked me about my Youthworks corporate credit card, which led me to tell him that I am an Anglican minister.

I asked if he went to church, and he said that he thought about it, but didn't know what to expect when he got there. What if we had a short course on 'basic Anglicanism' or something that might provide a neutral starting point for enquirers?

What are your thoughts about using community courses to convey Christianity?