A short mental exercise: As Paris is to romance, as Rome is to architecture, as Milan is to fashion, as New York is to finance, so Perth is to….?

Just what is Perth known for?  What are we defined by?

This is Perth is a humorous and award winning video that gives a shot at an answer. In doing so it taps into our fear that we’re probably not as fantastic as we claim to be. In fact we might even be, perish the thought, a trifle boring. Of course this doesn’t deter the narrator from proclaiming Perth “the greatest city in the world”.

At Providence we have been exploring what Perth is known for. Our reasons are more important than determining whether we have enough nightlife or why the shops shut so early.  We want to understand our city better so that we can reach it for King Jesus. We love our city not because it’s the greatest city in the world, but because Jesus loves it.  One day he is coming to rule and reign over all the earth and we want as many as possible of our fellow citizens to long for that day – a day when Perth will be a city beyond our wildest dreams.

To that end we have come up with a framework for understanding Perth and the combination of characteristics that is unique to it. We intend to use this framework to help us to better serve our city with the gospel.  Our city’s history and location, combined with the recent economic boom in WA and the rise of globalisation, has made us a city of polarities. These polarities, though not exhaustive, are definitive.  Attached to each set of polarities is an accompanying question that opens up apologetic, evangelistic and discipleship possibilities for Providence Church. See what you think:

1. Resourced/Under-Resourced: Don’t You Want to Make a Difference?

We have so much and we have avoided the deepest troughs of the global recession. Still, there are many in our city who have fallen through the cracks as prices rise and community breaks down.  How can we use what God has given us to make a difference?

2. Isolated/Global: Don’t You Want to Raise Your Sights?

Perth takes a perverse pride in its isolation. Life on the edge of a big island has sheltered us from the worst (and best) on the planet. But Perth has grown selfish. The global economy and information technology is bringing the world to us and the resentments are simmering. We are groaning along with our overstretched infrastructure. But there is a world beyond our shores that God loves and we need to look beyond how that world affects us to how we can affect our world.

3. Expat/Local: Don’t You Want to Belong?

A significant and growing minority of Perth people are expats; here for the work and then moving on to the next job. There is a growing tension in Perth about the number of overseas workers in the city.  At the same time many locals are feeling disenfranchised, not sure if Perth belongs to them anymore. God’s community is a great leveler.  It is open to all who would come and our role is to invite expats and locals into a community that is qualitatively different to what the rest of Perth can offer.

4. Conservative/Hedonistic: Don’t You Want to be Fulfilled?

Perth is socially conservative: often accused, with some justification, of being behind the times.  We are suspicious of change.  This is offset by a hedonism fueled by good times, warm weather and a free water playground. Our conservatism does not extend to our behaviour; we are, at heart, pleasure-seeking and selfish. Despite all we have we still find time to complain.  The gospel that Providence pronounces offers a new way of life that will radically change us and provide lasting fulfillment.

So there you have it. Our attempt to give some parameters to our city.  It’s not exhaustive, but it is a good place to start. Over the coming months we are going to write more extensively on these issues and we’d love to have your input on what you think of Perth. It promises to be an enjoyable and enlightening project.