ABOUT US

HIS VISION
OUR MISSION

Westcity Vision:  MORE LIKE JESUS
Love God | Love People |  Follow Jesus

 

To be and make disciples of Jesus, in authentic community, for the good of the world.

 

In essentials unity, In non-essentials liberty,
In all things love.

 

Watch Phil on our Vision: ‘Love God’: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

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

BOARD MEMBERS

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.