HIS VISION
OUR MISSION
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a cross shaped life*, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
AMEN.
* We have added in this line as we believe it bridges the gap between Jesus’ birth and death with a statement about his remarkable life as servant king.
THE 'GO' OF CHRIST
We acknowledge today that we have come together
to be reminded of the go of Christ.
So, we’ll go and feed the hungry,
We’ll go and clothe the naked,
We’ll go and fight for justice,
We’ll go and end oppression,
We’ll go and proclaim anew the old old story,
We’ll go and reach those who are running from God and God’s Church,
We’ll go and associate with those who don’t look like us, talk like us, don’t act like us and even don’t like us.
And we’ll do it all in the name of the one who sent us,
His name is Jesus!
Each week at Westcity we say the above paragraph as our benediction.
We do this because we believe that the purpose of the church is to be a caring community for the world. Because we believe we aren’t just called to make a living but to make a difference.
To be a city on a hill that can’t be hidden.
We also believe that as we ‘go’ and serve others we enter into Christ’s work of welcome, restoration and healing both for ourselves and others.
That when we come alongside those on the margins we see and encounter Christ.
WESTCITY VALUES & PRACTICES
Westcity Values:
At Westcity, as a Church we commit to becoming and being a community that is:
- Welcoming by finding ways to ensure people find their place and discover friendship.
- Inclusive by demonstrating wholehearted acceptance of others irrespective of our points of difference and challenge.
- Loving in overlooking offence, extending friendship, offering care and support, being truthful and practicing at all times the radical welcome of Jesus.
- Compassionate towards those less able, less willing and less empowered to represent themselves and their needs.
- Kind as an active practice of love; always putting forward and looking for ways to show people their value and worth.
- Peace-seeking in every situation (non-violent). This is not passivity, nor fight or flight, but the third way of fighting back with radical love that gives dignity to the oppressed while at the same time holding onto the hope of transformation for the aggressors.
These are the core values that we as a church community feel we must share in order to grow and function together as a body (albeit a flawed one), that seeks to be a healthy community of welcome, reflective of Jesus in all that we do.
Westcity Practices:
At Westcity, the practices we have discovered, that help us to live as Jesus’ community are:
- Peacemaking (Anabaptist example)
- Sacramental (The table, baptism, washing feet)
- Charismatic expression (The Spirit of Life)
Click HERE (on the gold font) for a copy of the ‘Westcity Way Handbook – for Visitors’ (which contains a more detailed explanation on our values and practices).
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2025: More Like Jesus
Future & Development
“Building a Church for Tomorrow”: Further develop our strategic vision for growth and sustainability, focusing on property development, infrastructure, and long-term planning to enhance our mission.
Community Life & Sundays
“Cultivating a Thriving, Welcoming and Inclusive Worship Community”: Elevate the worship experience and continue to explore ways to create a welcoming, inclusive, and compassionate environment for people to practice being disciples of Christ.
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
“Nurturing Faith and Spiritual Growth”: Promote spiritual development through formational programs and home churches, encouraging deeper community connections and personal growth, that are anchored in the way of Jesus.
Mission – The ‘Go’
“Partnering with the expression of Christ in the world”: Strengthen local and global outreach initiatives, build strategic partnerships, and encourage active community involvement in service projects.
Healthy Church & Leadership
“Cultivating Strong Leadership and Well-being”: Invest in leadership development, promote the well-being of volunteers and paid team members, and ensure strong governance practices.
PILGRIMAGE TOGETHER
Following Jesus is not a set of tasks, or a life of intense religious fervor. It is more like a life-long apprenticeship to a master craftsperson. There will be obedient tasks and moments of transcendent faith but these happen as we just keep following. Keep walking.
In the words of many who have gone before us, it is a pilgrimage.It is a thirst that every person has, but not everyone has their thirst quenched. And so not everyone experiences the adventure that lies before all who take the risk. Because there is risk in deciding to follow Jesus.
There is the risk that you will leave things that you once thought important, or even vital. There is a risk that you will discover a way of being that is not punctuated by all the traits that make up business-as-usual. And there is a serious risk that you might become someone you like, and know deep down is worthwhile and loved. You might even find yourself liking and even loving others in the same way!
So, pilgrimage will mean there is stuff being left behind, stuff being discovered, and milestones being reached. Or, you could say that on any pilgrimage we are always leaving, discovering, and renewing. At least, that is what we hope is being encouraged in the Westcity Way, as we love God, and follow Jesus.
Teaching Team
We are grateful to our much-loved community members and Pastors who form our ‘Teaching Team’ and regularly share their stories, as part of our Sunday messages.
Phil, Lauren, Kathleen, Josh P, Tara, Travis, Theo, Kelley, Dawn, Ky and others.
MINISTRY TEAM
John Seah
Associate Pastor - Buildings & Maintenance
Theo Messenger
Children's Ministry & Volunteer Coordinator
Phil Stevenson
Lead Pastor
Melanie Longhurst
Executive Pastor
BOARD MEMBERS
Steve Jansz
Board Chair
Steve is a married to Gillian and father of two. He brings a high level of passion, skill and understanding in the area of pastoral care, education, youth work, chaplaincy, rehabilitation (community and aged care) and wellbeing, developed over 30 years.
His roles have seen him both as practitioner and manager, in program development and service delivery, and at different times called upon to show effective leadership, supervision and pastoral care, mediation, conflict resolution, team and critical incident management. Steve has also served on the Fusion Student Housing Service Advisory Group and Australian Association for Pastoral Care in Education.
Sam Jaschke
Treasurer
Sam is a Project Engineer, with previous finance experience as a volunteer Treasurer. Sam also has a passion for home renovations and projects. Some of the many strengths Sam contributes to the board include teamwork, strategic financial planning and regulatory compliance. Sam and his lovely wife Hannah also volunteer their time to assist with a variety of Westcity church projects.
Heidi Rawson
Deputy Chair
Heidi loves God, people and is a follower of Jesus. However daily she finds herself climbing out of the driver’s seat to let Jesus back where he belongs. She knows and has learned through the ups and down of life that the only way to live a full and enriching life is with Jesus at the helm!
Heidi is married to Joey and whilst raising her four children she has completed post graduate studies in Employment Relations and a Masters degree in HR and Law. Heidi has served on the board of Westcity and Wembley Primary School for many years and does facilitation work with Peacewise.
Bronwyn Smith
Board Member
Bronwyn has a professional background in teaching and more recently in politics, as a member of the City of Wanneroo Council. Bronwyn leads our Welcome Team and also serves as part of our Common Purse Local team. Some of the many strengths Bronwyn contributes to the board include leadership, teamwork and strategic planning. Bron has been a much-loved part of our church community for several years (and first attended back in 2014).
Melanie Longhurst
Secretary
Melanie has enjoyed being part of the Westcity community since 2011. Her professional background includes teaching, leadership, health promotion, wellness, community development, management and business development. Melanie is passionate about sharing faith in Christian community. As well as loving adventures (and peaceful time) with her gorgeous husband, kids, extended family and treasured friends.
Phil Stevenson
Board Member
Phil has been captured by the love of God seen in Jesus and has committed to follow Him boots and all. He used to think he was a big deal and his office contained many leather bound books and smelled of mahogany.
He now believes Jesus is still the head of the church, directing and leading it and so sees his mandate as Senior Pastor is to love and serve the Westcity community by pointing them to Jesus. By helping them get filled with Christ's resurrection life and by encouraging anyone who'll listen to love like death can't hold them back.
He is married to Caroline and they have two girls. Phil is also an on-site Chaplain, for a mining company.
Our Governance Structure
Westcity Church Inc. is an Incorporated Association. We have adopted the Model Rules, to comply with WA Law. We are a not-for-profit charity, governed by the ACNC. We have a board of governance made up of 6-8 members, who meet monthly. An AGM is held every September. Our Board By Laws extract that which is essential for us to abide by as a Board and to ensure we are enforcing. Our Board Charter acts to describe and articulate the cultural and spiritual values of Westcity, and the relationship between the Westcity Board (organisation membership) and the wider Westcity church community. Westcity is an autonomous body governed through its members, affiliated with the Churches of Christ of Western Australia Incorporated (COCWA) and the wider body of Christ. Our Church Leadership consists of the Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor, together with the Board and Ministry Team.
Our Board’s Role
The Board are the primary custodians of the non-negotiables which we define as the Purpose. The Purpose encompasses the objects, mission, vision, values and core beliefs which are expressed operationally as the “Westcity Way”.
Our Board:
- develops and approves strategic plans that outline our long-term goals, and the steps needed to achieve them, always keeping their hearts and minds focused on Jesus.
- prayerfully identifies potential risks that could impact our church, including financial, operational and legal risks. This involves regular assessments and open discussions to ensure we are prepared.
- engages with our key stakeholders — church community members, volunteers, our wider local community—ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met in our decision-making processes.
- maintains open and transparent communication about our church’s activities, financial status, and strategic direction, fostering a community of trust and mutual respect.
- provides financial oversight including approving annual budgets and monitoring financial performance to ensure our resources are used effectively and responsibly, always with a heart of generosity and gratitude.
- regularly evaluates the performance of our church’s initiatives and their alignment to the purpose and strategic priorities via stakeholder engagement exercises measuring impact and making necessary adjustments to stay on mission.