Community Christian welcomes Bethany Albrecht to 'pulpit'

Sermon in the round

Rev. Bethany Albrecht is the new pastor for Community Christian Church. Albrecht, seen in the church's sanctuary, moved to Jefferson City from Oklahoma.
Rev. Bethany Albrecht is the new pastor for Community Christian Church. Albrecht, seen in the church's sanctuary, moved to Jefferson City from Oklahoma.

The Rev. Bethany Albrecht is not one to seek the spotlight, yet accepting her first senior pastor position at Community Christian Church in Jefferson City will put her at the center of attention.

The uniquely round worship center means Albrecht will be encircled with listeners during her sermons, which begin this Sunday.

"Stepping into the pulpit is a most humbling experience," she said. "Even until my first words come out, I'm self-editing. Then it takes on a life of its own, as if it's not me - that's when I know I'm doing God's work."

With degrees from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, and Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Albrecht comes equipped with knowledge. She currently is pursuing a doctorate of practical ministry.

But what the congregation found appealing was her openness and boldness to help them reach into the community.

"We need to get people in the community coming back to church," pastor search committee chairman Glen Gessley said. "We see her passion and know she will develop through the doctoral program."

Just as the church's sanctuary has no barriers, allowing worshippers access to Christ's table, the congregation takes pride in its diversity, not only in gender and race but in denominational backgrounds, Gessley said.

Albrecht said she is proud to be the first female senior pastor at the church, although women have been serving in leadership roles since the 1970s.

The Rev. David Avery retired in December 2014, after serving Community Christian Church for 17 years. The congregation took its time searching for their next minister, Gessley said.

After five months of guest pastors to identify the congregation's style preferences, the church called the Rev. Coletta Eichenberger as interim minister the summer of 2015.

Gessley said the search committee was excited after reading Albrecht's application, but even more enthusiastic following a 90-minute phone interview in October. By the first of December, she had visited Jefferson City from her Tulsa, Oklahoma, home four times.

"I had fallen in love with Jefferson City; it has a small town feel but has everything you need," said Albrecht, a second-generation Disciples of Christ minister, who grew up in St. Louis.

She said she is looking forward to meeting both church members and those in the community in the coming months. And Albrecht has plans to expand the youth and children's programs.

Her approach is "meeting people where they are on life's journey," Albrecht said. "If they invite me to walk with them, then that's an honor."