Answers to Anticipated Questions

What is the PGP?

The PGP as an active network of Christian leaders, which is:

• voluntary — Christian leaders opt in because they share the convictions and aspirations of the PGP and because they want to work together with other like-minded people
• limited — partnership means a default position of seeking to support initiatives and projects of the PGP, but not any enforced obligation to do so
• active — partnership means a commitment to desiring to see the other partners flourish, and incorporating that mindset in the way we shape our own ministry, and it means looking for ways to contribute to developing common strategies for gospel growth.

We realise that networks already exist — within denominations, through friendships, in geographical areas and through involvements in common projects. But we see an opportunity to forge a wider, focussed network building on many of the existing networks.

What the PGP is not

• another denomination — we recognise that many potential partners are members of existing denominations, and wish to continue to be such. The PGP does not want to compete for loyalty, but provide a place where likeminded churches and leaders can work together to see significant progress in gospel growth. Our expectation is that the PGP will be trans-denominational, and stronger for it.
• a waste of time (we hope).

What is the purpose of the PGP?

The purpose of the PGP is to see more people in Perth and WA evangelised, by the strengthening and multiplication of churches and ministries that are evangelical and evangelistic. In God’s kindness many good things are happening around WA, but we are convinced that:

• the task is immense given there are usually more people at Optus Stadium for the AFL than in evangelical churches in WA on an average weekend
• there is a growing number of churches and ministries across denominations that share our common convictions and aspirations
• more could be achieved if we actively sought to work together in developing strategies for growing and expanding the work of the gospel.

What will the PGP do?

The PGP Steering Committee has identified a number of initiatives we think are critical for advancing the vision, and where we think that the partnership can contribute:

This is only an initial list of things that were obvious to us as we survey the scene. We want the PGP (via the Partners) to actively contribute to progress in these areas, and to generate other areas where working together in partnership could help us.

How does the PGP work?

• Church leaders who share our Theological Vision are invited to be Partners. The Partners become the base from which and for which cooperative activities are organised.

• A Steering Committee oversees the development and operation of the PGP as a useful structure for achieving the goals. The Steering Committee is working on identifying areas for action and is taking initiatives to get things going. And it acts as a point of reference for initiatives Partners take where cooperation by other Partners is sought. The members of the Steering Committee are drawn from Partners, are broadly representative of them, have the confidence of Partners and incorporate the desired expertise to fulfill the function. The Steering Committee is elected annually.

• Many of the areas of PGP action will be led by Workgroups convened for that purpose. Eg we have convened a group of people who are actively involved in ministry to high-school aged youth to grow ministry in this area (the Perth Youth Gospel Partnership PYGP), which we hope will benefit many of our churches individually and corporately. In the area of church planting, we are thrilled that Geneva Push already exists as a church planting network with similar convictions, and we want to endorse what they are doing, and work with them.

• Our website is one means of communication for Partners. The website is for:

• Finances – our operating costs (eg EO salary, maintaining a website) are covered by Partner fees ($100 for 2 years), donations and operating profits (eg Annual Conference).

How do people become partners?

Any church leader who can endorse the Theological Vision Statement and desires to be a Partner will be able to do so. New Partners must be Nominated by two existing Partners, and will need to assent to the Theological Vision Statement and Doctrinal Statement. Partners will need to renew their Partnership every 2 years.

We are using the term “church leaders” to mean church Pastors, pastoral staff (e.g. Associate Pastors, church Youth Workers), Staff in para-church ministries (like Theological lecturers, School chaplains), and extending to church elders where they play a significant role in the gospel ministry of the church.

We would like to have a list of Partners on the website, so that we build a sense of 'belonging' in the network. 

How do events become endorsed PGP events?

The PGP Steering Committee initiates events to further the aims, and these will appear on the PGP website and advertising will be circulated to all Partners.

We also encourage Partners who are involved in organising events or programs that are open to other people in the PGP network and that further the aims of the PGP to ask the Steering Committee to endorse the events. These will then be included in the Events Calendar on the PGP website and emails to Partners.

From time to time, other events will be happening that the Steering Committee deems of interest to all PGP Partners, and these will also be included on the Calendar and emails.

How will the PGP money be administered?

The Steering Committee is responsible for administering the money. It will only be used for achieving the aims of the PGP. We anticipate that all events that the PGP runs will be effectively self-funding, although this cannot be guaranteed. A financial statement will be distributed annually to all Partners. And all Partners are welcome to make inquiries at any time (to ).