Reading 3 of 4

Read this before the Meaningful Membership class. Look up the key Bible passages, reflect at your own pace, and bring your questions. The final page gives you space to write; you may keep personal reflections private.

Key Bible passages Romans 1:16-17; 1 Peter 5:1-4

Romans 1:16-17 ShowHide the passage

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

1 Peter 5:1-4 ShowHide the passage

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Every local church has a story, a culture, and a theological home. We want you to know ours before you make promises. Christchurch Miami exists to help people experience grace, find community, and discover purpose. Our posture is simple: Welcome Home.

We are part of the Presbyterian Church in America, commonly called the PCA. You do not have to be in agreement with everything the Presbyterian church teaches and preaches to join Christchurch Miami. You do need to be a Christian, understand the church you are joining, live peaceably within its teaching and government, and be able to take the membership vows sincerely.

Our story

Christchurch Miami grows out of the long ministry of Kendall Presbyterian Church and a renewed calling to reach and serve Miami. In 2025 the congregation embraced the name Christchurch Miami and relaunched with a desire to welcome neighbors, build a healthy church family, and make disciples in a diverse and dynamic city. We are grateful for the faithfulness of all who came before us and hopeful about the mission ahead.

Our mission and culture

Our calling is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus who live as His people and participate in His mission. Programs will change. The mission of Christ does not. We want to be a church marked by biblical truth, dependent prayer, generous hospitality, healthy families, meaningful service, courageous witness, and love for Miami.

Evangelical

To say we are evangelical means the gospel is central. The Bible is God’s authoritative Word. Jesus Christ is the only Savior. People must be reconciled to God through repentance and faith. The good news is to be proclaimed to every person and applied to every part of life.

Reformed

To say we are Reformed connects us to the historic Protestant Reformation. We emphasize Scripture’s final authority, God’s sovereignty, salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, and all of life lived for God’s glory.

Our officers subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms as a faithful summary of the system of doctrine taught in Scripture. Those standards serve under the Bible, never above it.

Members are not required to affirm every statement in the Westminster Standards. We ask you to understand that this is the theological basis from which our pastors and elders teach. If you disagree or are unsure about election, covenant theology, baptism, or other distinctive, questions are welcome.

Presbyterian

The word “Presbyterian” comes from the New Testament word for elder. Jesus Christ is King and Head of the Church. Under His Word and authority, qualified elders shepherd and govern the church together. Teaching elders and ruling elders share this responsibility in the local Session. Deacons lead ministries of service, mercy, and practical care.

We are also connectional: the local Session is connected to a regional Presbytery and to the General Assembly of the PCA. This provides a shared mission and meaningful accountability beyond one congregation. No pastor or Session acts as an independent authority.

Authority and conscience

The authority the Bible bestows upon the elders and deacons is real, but it is not unlimited. God alone is Lord of the conscience. Elders may not invent obligations that Scripture does not give, control ordinary personal decisions, or demand blind loyalty. They must lead humbly, receive questions, and remain accountable.

Members may disagree with leaders. Faithful disagreement means speaking directly, asking questions, seeking understanding, avoiding gossip and factions, maintaining charity, and using appropriate church processes when necessary.

Essential unity and honest differences

We want to major in the majors. The deity of Christ, the triune God, Scripture’s authority, salvation by grace, Christ’s atoning death and bodily resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith are central Christian truths.

Faithful Christians differ on important but non-essential questions. We will teach our convictions, explain our practices, and ask members not to work against the peace, purity and teaching of the church. But we will not imply that someone must master Calvinism or agree with infant baptism before being welcomed as a Christian and a member of our church.