This review is neither exhaustive nor absolute, and some dates are approximations.
1. The Charismatic Era: Perth Charismatic Minister Fraternal (1975/6) – met monthly to pray for the city, unite pastors, support those in traditional churches coming into the charismatic movement. Eventually (2002?) became Perth Christian Ministers Fraternal then was taken into the Church Together Network (2004).
2. The Impact of Ed Silvoso: 3 conferences – 1995, 1996 (YWAM initiated), 2002. Promoted city- reaching, prayer evangelism, marketplace ministry etc. The first conference stimulated the emergence of Pray WA (became Prayer Net WA) whose vision was to establish prayer houses, pastors prayer groups etc. It also sponsored Prayer Assemblies in 2001, 2, 3. Prayer Net WA ceased in 2003, due to the growth of other prayer ministries and its limited success (with notable regional exceptions e.g. Fremantle, Gosnells, Canning) in stimulating pastoral prayer unity. Another Silvoso legacy is www.churchinperth.com that promotes the “one church many congregations” outlook through a range of on line services.
3. Festival WA: 1998 series of large scale outreach meetings with Franklin Graham involving more than 400 churches, including the Catholic Church. Opened up a deeper atmosphere and commitment to unity in Perth. No organised flow on
4. Church Together: commenced 1993, “premier annual Christian event” drawing approx. 15,000 believers to a celebration – evangelistic manifestation of the unity of the church in Perth. There is now a Church Together Network with 55 member churches that share in the Rise conferences and programmes plus breakfasts for pastors. 160 + churches officially registered for Church Together in 2004.
5. Prayer Summits – One Heart for the Nation: first annual Prayer Summit for pastors/leaders 1998. Draws widely across Protestant churches from 60 – 100 attendees for 3- 4 days of prayer focus for WA. In 2004 joined with “One Heart for the Nation” national network in connecting pastors and pray-ers (has many of the values of the George Otis Jnr “Transformations” movement).
6. The Ethnic Stream: Australian–Asian Churches Network formed 2001. 12 churches with annual equipping conference, regular strategy/teaching seminars, participate in city- reaching events with other churches. Highly missional in focus.
7. The Catholic Church – in 2001 John Paul 2 called all Catholics to evangelizing mission full of confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit. Archbishop Barry Hickey, has called on the three major units of the diocese: family, parish and school, to cooperate and share the work of evangelization. Perth hosts a number of vital Catholic organizations, such as Flame Ministries International, a Catholic lay ministry of the evangelist, Foundations, Disciples of Jesus, Bethel. Youth evangelization teams from the diocese are working in schools, parishes, youth groups and organising retreats.
8. Prayer networks – diversity of networks. Precursors wer prayer/bible study groups run between 1979-1990 drawing women from across all denominations . One network commenced in Oct.2001 with a vision to establish beachheads of prayer across churches to pray for transformation of our communities, city, state and nation. About 500 individuals from over 100 churches of all denominations and racial groups across the state are involved. Functions – breakfasts, retreats, fellowship days, local prayer meetings, worship foci etc. Will launch Prayer Tower for 24/7 prayer in November.
Some 24/7 prayer already in city e.g. YWAM, with others e.g.Victory Life Church working towards it.
9. Youth networks: diversity of prayer initiatives e.g. 7.14, “See You at the Pole”, “The Call”, Youth Prayer Summits, regional youth pastors’ prayer gatherings.
10. Post-modern moves: a growing number of networks (e.g. Forge, Reframe) exploring non- institutional forms of missional church; increasingly attractive to younger Christian leaders.
11. Other factors: Fremantle Jubilee 2003 – church, business and municipality cooperation in remitting debts, supplying finance, donating goods etc. Deeply altered perception of the church in the port city.
World Mission Prayer Centre – plans for a centre to be built in 2005 to act as catalyst for cooperative mission for all of church in W.A. and with a 24/7 prayer hub.
Evangelical Alliance – has supported many unity-city reaching moves e.g. “Working Together Forum”, “Artists Forum”.
12. Indigenous Churches: some outstanding national leaders based in Perth; conscious division between charismatic and non-charismatic churches, no visible city wide cooperation and prayer between these spheres with the exception of some intercessors.
13. Currrent and Future Trends: consolidation of a number of the existing networks within themselves seems to be drawing the diverse aspects of the church further apart rather than closer together e.g. a contemporary – celebration stream over against a prayer focused and relational stream. Can there emerge a hub for long term missional unity (Role of IWT?) or will the present trends deepen?