church LEadership
Elders & Deacons at Christ Church
2024 ANNUAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 7 PM
Christ Church Highland Park Sanctuary
2024 ZOOM BUDGET MEETINGS
WED. June 12 @ 7PM | TUE. June 18 @ 7PM | THU. June 20 @ 7PM | SUN. June 23 @ 7PM
ELDER/DEACON CANDIDATES
ELDER CANDIDATE: PRANOB BHATTACHARYA
Pranob Bhattacharya has been attending Christ Church at the Lake Forest Campus since 2010. Prior to joining Christ Church, he was involved in co-leading young adult’s ministry and Sunday evening youth-group meetings at St. Louis Park Free Evangelical Church from 2005 to 2009. He also participated in community initiatives and went on a missions trip to India with his wife in 2009.
At Christ Church, Pranob has been an active member of the Men’s Bible Study group since 2011, participating and leading. He has also been involved in church-led community initiatives and continues to serve as an usher for Lake Forest services when needed. Since 2018, Pranob has been serving on the Deacon Board and currently holds the position of Chairman.
Pranob is willing to serve as an Elder to continue serving, praying, and furthering the vision and areas of focus of the church. He believes that an Elder’s role and responsibility include encouraging, praying, and supporting the Senior Pastor, working collaboratively with the Church Leadership team and the Deacons, and advising on strategic matters of the church.
As an Elder, Pranob remains open to serving wherever needed but expresses an interest in supporting Global Missions if there is an unmet need in that area.
ELDER CANDIDATE: MICHAEL WALSH
Michael Walsh has been attending Christ Church for approximately 10 years. During his time at the church, he has been actively involved in various ministries and leadership roles. These include serving as a Sunday school teacher in Children’s Ministry, a greeter in Hospitality, a member of the Mental Health Focus Group, and a Small Group Leader. Additionally, Michael has volunteered with Matthew Homes and has been a Lakelight Fellow, Reading Group Host, and part of the Congregational Leadership Team.
As a physician, Michael feels deeply blessed through his profession and the various leadership and service roles he has held in the community and church. He is willing to serve as an Elder to reinvest his talents while deepening his relationship and service to “the body of Christ.”
Michael views the role and responsibility of an Elder as being a spiritual leader and counselor to both the church body and staff. He believes that an Elder should act as a living example of what it means to be a Child of God, while also providing prayer, mentorship, discipleship, support, and oversight.
Although Michael has a particular passion for discipleship and advancing God’s Kingdom through traditionally “secular” vocations, he is open to serving wherever there is a need as an Elder.
DEACON CANDIDATE: BRADLEY HAHN
Bradley Hahn has been an active member of Christ Church for over 12 years, joining in the summer of 2011. Shortly after becoming a part of the congregation, he began serving in the Lighthouse Children’s Ministry, primarily working with preschool and grade school programs. Through this involvement, Bradley has built lasting friendships with other parents, volunteers, and staff who share a commitment to teaching and demonstrating God’s love to children.
Bradley is willing to serve as a Deacon because of his love for Christ Church, its people, and its mission. He believes that the role and responsibility of a Deacon is to prayerfully represent the congregation in making decisions that ensure the future and stability of the church, while also conducting themselves in a manner that reflects the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
With a professional background in media, campaigns, and communications, Bradley is particularly interested in supporting the church’s efforts to utilize media, technology, and innovation to reach new audiences and spread the Gospel. As a member of the Deacon Board, he would be enthusiastic about finding new resources and innovations to inform the church membership, reach new audiences, and spread the Gospel.
Current Deacons
Deacons are officials elected by the congregation for a fixed term. They report to the Elders and are responsible for the church’s business affairs, including its budget and human resources.
- Bill Oakley
- Eric Tienou
- Hui Yi
- James Gruber
- Kendall Mills
- Kendrick Gordon
- Kevin Scott
- Leslie McClellan
- Lisa Walsh
- Mike Neil
- Pranob Bhattacharya (Deacon Chair)
- Sonja Gibson
- Steve Griffith
- William Bast
DEACON Process
RESPONSIBILITIES. Subject to the oversight and ultimate responsibility of the Elders, and except for any matters specifically reserved to the Members, the Deacons are responsible for all of the business affairs of the Church. As such, the Deacons:
- Prepare and administer the Church’s operating and capital budgets.
- Determine the compensation, benefits and other terms of employment of all employees of the Church.
- Purchase and maintain insurance coverage for the Church.
- Care for and control the real and personal property of the Church, including its use, construction, maintenance, repair, improvement, mortgage, purchase or sale.
- Count and safeguard all gifts to the Church.
QUALIFICATIONS. A Deacon must be:
- A man or woman who meets all of the Biblical qualifications for the office, including but not limited to those found in I Timothy 3: 8-13 and Acts 6: 1-6.
- Personally committed to the vision, ministries, goals and objectives of the Church.
- A Member of Christ Church for at least two years before standing for office.
ELECTION AND SERVICE. Deacons are elected by the Members at each Annual Meeting of the Church. They serve three-year terms (no more than two, consecutively) and meet monthly.
CONFIDENTIALITY. All nominees will be prayerfully considered by the Deacons, but will not necessarily be contacted by the Deacons. For that reason, we ask that you not tell anyone else that you have submitted this nomination.
Current Elders
Leaders elected by the congregation for a fixed term. The Elders are the ultimate governing board of the church. They not only act as counselors to and co-laborers with the Lead Pastor, they develop and guard our vision and mission and help shepherd the congregation.
- Bob Buckley
- Dave Kawala
- Jeff Hays
- Joel Sensenig
- John Oswald (Co-chair)
- Mike Woodruff
- Nathan Clayton
- Phil Chung
- Scott Morcott (Co-chair)
- Tony Zamble
Elder Process
RESPONSIBILITIES. Except for matters specifically reserved to the Members, the Elders oversee and are ultimately responsible for all the affairs of the Church. As such, the Elders:
- Act as counselors to and co-laborers with the Senior Pastor in (i) shepherding, praying for, teaching, leading, visiting and overseeing the flock of Christ; and (ii) developing and guarding the vision, ministries, goals and objectives of the Church.
- Encourage, support and oversee the work of the Senior Pastor.
- Advise and consent to the calling or dismissal of certain church staff.
- Provide Biblical Counsel as necessary.
- Ordain, install, license and/or commission pastors, missionaries and others.
QUALIFICATIONS. An Elder must be:
- A man who meets all of the Biblical qualifications for the office, including but not limited to those found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
- Personally committed to the vision, ministries, goals and objectives of the Church.
- A Member of Christ Church for at least two years before standing for office.
ELECTION AND SERVICE. Elders are elected by the Members at each Annual Meeting of the Church. They serve four-year terms (no more than two, consecutively) and meet up to twice monthly.
CONFIDENTIALITY. All nominees will be prayerfully considered by the Elders, but will not necessarily be contacted by the Elders. For that reason, we ask that you not tell anyone else that you have submitted this nomination.