New congregation doubting Thomas?

Some members of Christian Hills Church in Orland Hills are angry that their elder board recently hired the Rev. George Thomas, who was booted from a Homewood church last year amid allegations that he misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Thomas, former senior pastor of All Nations Community Church, was appointed this summer as Christian Hills school principal and associate pastor without consulting members.

"The congregation should have input," said longtime Christian Hills member Dave Oberg, who points to the church's constitution, which says that members should vote on hiring a new pastor. "I'm not against change, I just want it done right."

Because …