Dr. Elnes received his PhD in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary and served as senior pastor of Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ in Scottsdale, AZ (artinworship.com) from 1995 to 2008, when Countryside welcomed him as their senior minister.

He is internationally recognized for creating multi-sensory, experiential worship that transcends classification as “traditional” or “contemporary.” Eric’s books include, Igniting Worship: The Seven Deadly Sins (Abingdon, 2004) and Asphalt Jesus: Finding a New Christian Faith Along the Highways of America (Jossey-Bass, 2007). He was the lead author and editor of the Phoenix Affirmations – a popular, ecumenically developed set of twelve principles that are becoming an important theological backbone of the progressive Christian movement in and outside the United States.