Church members, community welcome new pastor

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Teresa and Bryan Elliot

Updated: September 12, 2011 12:30AM

Adjusting to a new congregation and location is often an overwhelming process.

But the adjustment period for Bryan Elliot, senior pastor at Community Christian Church in Lincolnshire, has been quick and smooth. For this, he thanks the very people that he works with throughout the week.

“It’s a really healthy, genuine and caring congregation,” Elliot said. “The church takes its mission very seriously.”

The church’s mission is to change and transform lives through the power of Jesus Christ. In a church of 125 people, Elliot says, what sets them apart is how they aim to meet this mission.

“They reach out to others making certain needs are met,” he said.

Church members work together bringing meals and cleaning for individuals in need. Recently, many congregants checked up on elderly people struggling during the recent array of power outages and cleaned out the spoiled food inside their refrigerators.

Sharing together is another essential aspect of community at the church. Small groups with separate men’s and women’s ministries meet at least once a month and an opportunity for one-on-one and group spiritual counseling is offered. An outreach committee plans ways to help people in need and once a month the church serves at a soup kitchen.

Elliot, who previously ministered as a senior pastor in Oregon and Tennessee, presents and prepares the weekly sermons, and decides the music and order of the service. Among his duties are visiting people in the hospital, preaching at funerals and weddings, and taking part in “backyard counseling,” informal conversations with people needing to talk to someone.

“I love dealing with people on a regular basis,” he said. “The myriad of different things that I get to do is rewarding.”

CCC started looking to hire a senior pastor in 2010 when Elliot was still pastor at First Christian Church in Shelbyville, Tenn. After continuous issues persisted in Shelbyville, Elliot knew he needed a new environment where could foster growth within a congregation.

When CCC contacted him in December, an elaborate process took place, including telephone and face-to-face interviews. After he visited the church to give a sermon before the congregation, the church knew he was the right fit.

Elliot was picked in April and gave his first sermon May 1. His preaching ability is what the pastoral search committee found most strong with Elliot. They mentioned that he focused on applying the Bible to today’s life issues in a warm and engaging way that resonated with people of all ages.

He joined youth of the church on a mission trip to Indianapolis earlier this summer, visiting nursing homes, completing yard work and visiting children’s centers.

Upcoming events include the fall kick-off Sunday service with a potluck dinner Sept. 11 and the annual garage sale fund-raiser in October.

“These people are very heartfelt,” Elliot said. “They’re all about being involved in ministry.”

Community Christian Church is located at 1970 Riverwoods Road. It is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, a mainline Protestant denomination that has almost 1 million members in the United States and Canada.

Elliot and his wife, Teresa, reside in Vernon Hills. They have two grown children, Nathan and Samantha.