Rev. Linda Miller is the new senior minister at First Christian Church of Independence.
The call was approved April 29 at a special congregational meeting and accepted by Rev. Miller. She officially starts July 1.
Rev. Linda MillerRev. Linda Miller currently serves as Senior Pastor of Chalice Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Gilbert, Arizona.
During Chalice’s formation she served as Associate Pastor of the founding congregation, Community Christian Church in nearby Tempe, Arizona, and was instrumental in designing the new congregation’s organizational structure.
As Chalice separated from Community and prepared to become a chartered congregation of the Christian Church (DOC) they called her to be their first pastor.
During this time Rev. Miller was actively involved in New Church Development on the Regional and General church levels, as Chair of the New Church Team in the Arizona Region and as a Coach for three other new church planters through the New Church Ministries of Church Extension.
Rev. Miller worked with Arizona Ecumenical Council’s Earth Care Commission from 1998 to 2007. She served on Arizona’s New Church Team from 1997 to 2007, serving as Chair from 2003 till 2007.
She has served on Arizona’s Mission Focus Team from 2008 to the present; Regional Staff Relations Team from 2006 to the present; and the Regional Assembly worship team in 2010. She currently serves as Regional Moderator, her term beginning in 2010 and concluding in 2012. Concurrently she represents the Arizona Region on the General Board of the Christian Church (DOC).
Having completed a Transforming Congregations Summit with the Western Regions and General Church representatives from Disciples Home Missions, Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, and Church Extension in October 2010, she now serves on Arizona’s Regional Congregational Vitality and Transformation Team.
In 1970 Rev. Miller completed her undergraduate studies at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri with a BA in Sociology. After completing her college degree she spent the next several years as a homemaker and mother of two daughters.
Following their graduations from high school she relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and began her seminary studies at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. She graduated in 2002 with a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained in November of 2002 by Community Christian Church and Chalice Christian Church where she still serves.
Miller grew up on a farm near Carrollton, Mo. and has family in the area.
The congregation thanks the Search Committee for its considerable efforts.
Miller becomes the 21st minister to serve the congregation which was founded in 1835.