Parish of Cottesloe
Ripening Bananas
The Revd Rob Imberger, Assistant Priest, Parish of Cottesloe
When St. Phillip’s embarked on our Alpha planning in February this year, we didn’t know how apt this phrase would be: “Ripen the banana”. But we became grateful for it, since Alpha both models and achieves it. Plus, we saw it with our own eyes. I’ll get to what on earth it means, but first, some background.
Developed by The Revd Sandy Millar from Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London in the 1990s, and then popularised by his successor The Revd Nicky Gumbel, Alpha was then and remains now simply an invitation to consider the big questions of life: where do we find meaning, who is Jesus, what do I do with my guilt, can I pray, how do I read the Bible, how can I have faith, and many more. Comprising a series of short, engaging videos, held over about 14 sessions, guests are invited to bring their honest questions, strong objections, and differing faith journeys within a context of good food and burgeoning friendship. Much has been modernised over the decades, but today that heartbeat remains the same. Walk into any of the thousands of churches worldwide that have run Alpha, and there’ll be a common thread: ‘You are welcome here, no pressure and no judgement’.
It was in that spirit that we at St. Phillip’s paid particular attention to hosting a Launch Party on the first night of the course (pictured). Lavishly appointed at Cottesloe Tennis Club, a local institution (and, importantly, neutral ground), we filled it with excellent food, free drinks, and the warmth of Christian community. Almost 100 people came, to our surprise and delight, and two-thirds of those stuck around for the course’s continuation.
There were simply too many deep conversations to relate here but, week by week, our trained Table Hosts and Helpers facilitated small group discussion, saw breakthrough, prayed for healing, and got really good at the standard Alpha response to any guest comment (no matter how strident or wacky): “Hmmmm, that’s interesting, what do other people think?”
That’s the beauty of Alpha when you allow bananas to ripen: ie. many people start very ‘green’, and over the months that ensue they become slightly less green, maybe even verging on ‘yellow’ when it comes to their journey with Jesus. Some even enter into Alpha just about ready to be ‘peeled’, so to speak; they have had a lot of information and now all that’s left is a decisive, wonderful step to trust Christ and receive God’s kingdom. Wherever someone is at on the journey, success equals ripening bananas, and where Alpha models and achieves this so well is its content and context: accessible and relatable, the tone gentle and accommodating, and the invitations to respond frequent and trusting in the Father’s drawing power.
Another highlight included our Retreat Day spent at Wollaston College, where guests were encouraged to receive the ministry of the Holy Spirit in prayer, connecting head knowledge with heart experience. Many enjoyed a workshop on Christian meditation led by Bishop Hans (pictured).
Throughout the course’s duration, our volunteer team (30+ St. Philip’s members) demonstrated exemplary servant heartedness. Alpha does as much for the hosting church as for its guests, deepening our reliance upon each other and stretching our faith for God to provide.
Finally: we can’t underscore enough the centrality of prayer in this entire endeavour. We prayed before we planned; we prayed the armour of God up to and during each Wednesday night; we prayed when team members fell ill and technology failed; and we prayed for each guest by name. We took Jesus at his word when he promised, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Great support is available to create your own Alpha: we found the Perth Alpha team to be generous and creative. We’re keen to share our experience too and help you wherever possible. Would you please pray with us, as we evaluate 2026 and ready ourselves for next year’s effort? And would you even consider leading your own Alpha, perhaps in your parish, school, or agency context, and see some of your own bananas ripen?
Published in Messenger August 2026
St Philip, Cottesloe
St Philips, or St Pip's as it is affectionately known, is actively involved in the local community in a variety of ways.
