The Executive Council functions as the board of directors for the NALC, providing leadership for the church between Convocations.
The 2011 NALC Convocation, held Aug. 11-12 in Hilliard, Ohio, elected four lay people and four clergy to staggered terms of one to four years. Future terms will be staggered so that one pastor and one lay person will be elected at each annual Convocation to four-year terms.
Lay – One-year term
Dr. James L. Hanson
Home: Hurricane, West Virginia
Congregation: St Timothy Lutheran Church, Charleston, West Virginia
Occupation: Retired
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
Served in congregation as president, vice president, treasurer, property chairman.
At ELCA synod level, served on synod council and as vice president of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod.
At ELCA churchwide, served on Global Mission Committee. In NALC, served on Executive Council.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
He has given me the gifts of leadership, teaching, and listening which will enable me to contribute faithfully to this ministry.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
I would rather meet a she bear robbed of her cubs, than a fool busy with a stupid project.
— Proverbs 17:12 TEV.
Lay – Two-year term
Carol H. Lattier
Home: Bullard, Texas
Congregation: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Tyler, Texas
Occupation: Part-time Parish Administrator at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Tyler, Texas.
Retired from management at Johnson Space Center (JSC), NASA. My retirement position from JSC/NASA was as the Manager for the Institutional Business Offices (Flight Crew Operations, Center Operations, Information Technology, Safety/ Reliability/Quality Assurance, and other areas).
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
I am both a member and the recording secretary of the provisional NALC Executive Council.
Service at my local churches (Houston and Tyler):
I have been an adult Sunday school teacher (multiple years) and am currently conducting Bible Studies at Our Saviour’s.
I serve in a variety of lay worship ministries: chalice bearer, lay ministry coordinator, usher, and lector. At a former church I was the lay person in charge of training for all lay worship service positions and for writing and maintaining the service manuals for each position.
At two former churches, I coordinated all the women’s ministries, and, until my job as Parish Administrator, was an active member of the women’s ministries at Our Saviour’s.
I am a former altar guild directoress and continue to serve as both a team leader and a member of the altar guild.
In addition, as the Parish Administrator at Our Saviour’s, I am actively involved in nearly all aspects of church administration.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
I have the skills of organization and management, and the gifts of compassion, patience, and humor.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
John 10:27-30. I love this because the promise is so explicit: I am His sheep; I am held; I am secure; and nothing can take me from Jesus’ hand. And, as He is one with the Father, nothing can take me from the Father’s hand.
Lay – Three-year term
Kay J. Weaver
Home: Vale, North Carolina
Congregation: New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Hickory, North Carolina
Occupation: High School Data Manager / Registrar
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
I served as a leader for New Jerusalem’s Senior Youth for nearly 10 years. I helped organize their first (now, annual) mission trip seven years ago, teaching VBS to children at the Boys & Girls Club in Loris, S.C. I teach the teen’s Sunday School class, and plan the early (indoor) worship at New Jerusalem. I co-chair New Jerusalem’s Fellowship Ministry and have served on the Youth & Family, Learning, and Worship Ministries. I am the current secretary and a past president of New Jerusalem Lutheran Women. I serve on the Steering Committee of Lutheran CORE—North Carolina. For the past 18 months, I have served on the Congregational Life and Evangelism Team (formerly Congregational Life and Pastoral Support committee) of Lutheran CORE and currently serve on the provisional Executive Council for the North American Lutheran Church.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
I have been blessed with the ability to teach and communicate with people through the written word. If I had to pinpoint a spiritual gift, I would say that I have the gift of hospitality, in that I enjoy the challenge of helping people feel welcome and comfortable in many situations. I crave neither attention nor glory for myself but instead point people to the One who deserves all the glory and praise, our Father in heaven.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What a wonderful promise! That Scripture has spoken to me many times during my life — good times and bad. To be reminded of God’s perfect will is always comforting for me.
Lay – Four-year term
Ryan M. Schwarz
Home: Washington, D.C.
Congregation: Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Abington, Pa. (associate member)
Occupation: Venture Capital
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
I have served for the past year as treasurer and provisional member of the Executive Council of the NALC. Previously I served as Vice Chairman (2010) and a member of the Steering Committee (2006-2010) of Lutheran CORE. I have also served as a member of a congregation council and two call committees. Finally, I serve as a member of the Board of Directors of an endowment fund for a Lutheran seminary in Russia.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
I believe I have strong communication skills, good judgment, and an ability to work effectively in groups and teams. I also believe that I have certain leadership skills, an ability to “look down the field” and anticipate both opportunities and challenges. With regard to my present role as treasurer, I have spent 20 years in the financial services industry, understand accounting, financial management and investment management.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
Isaiah 55:11: “So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty.”
If there is one thing I have seen firsthand over the past few years in Lutheran CORE and now in the NALC, it is the truth of this verse. Everywhere I have traveled, I have visited vibrant and growing congregations which simply are preaching the clear word (and Word!) of God, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, that word is not returning to them empty. I pray that our young church will keep the truth of God’s promise in this verse central in our ministry.
Clergy – One-year term
The Rev. Victor C. Langford III
Home: Seattle, Washington
Congregation: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington
Current Call: Pastor, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
46 years of Word and Sacrament ministry.
30 years of Army Chaplain ministry.
Lutheran CORE Steering Committee, 2006-2010.
North American Lutheran Church Executive Council, 2010-2011.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
Love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.
Faithful to God’s Word.
Loyal and a team player, work well with others.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
“Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all that He has done” — Philippians 4:6 NLT. Keeps me focused in my private life and in my life as a pastor.
Clergy – Two-year term
The Rev. N. Amanda Grimmer
Home: Hatboro, Pa.
Congregation: Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Abington, Pennsylvania
Current Call: Pastor, Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Abington, Pennsylvania
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
From 1976-1995 I served in the LCA and ELCA in many capacities including serving as keynote speaker at many Church Growth / Evangelism conferences both within the ELCA and among the Brethren and the Disciples. I was one of the LCA’s Pastor/Evangelists and one of the ELCA’s Partners in Evangelism. I was twice elected to the Texas Louisiana Synod Council (LCA) as clergy delegate at large, and I served many years on that synod’s Committee on Reference and Council. For several years I organized and led the Jesus is Lord Conference for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA and was (for two years) a section leader in Homiletics for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. I also served on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Committee on Reference and Council.
With my very public opposition to the Proposed First Draft of the Social Statement on Human Sexuality in 1993, I became persona non grata within the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA — and remained so until 2010, when our congregation became one of the 18 pioneer congregations at the organizing of the NALC in August 2010. I was asked to serve a one-year provisional term on Synod Council and have been grateful to be allowed to help in this way.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
God has given me gifts in organization, preaching, and evangelism. The greatest gift God has given me has been my husband Michael Tavella. We have been married since 1973 and in ministry together since 1976. We have served together in two congregations: St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Hurst, Texas (1976-1987) and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Abington, Pa. (1987-present).
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
Psalm 18:1-3: I will love you, O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who in worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
This has meaning for me because God has proven it to be true over and over in my life. It is my prayer for the North American Lutheran Church that this church might always point to the God who fights for her, admonishes her, and cherishes her as His pearl of great price. It is my prayer for the North American Lutheran Church that this church might always regard God as a deity to be loved and obeyed, that we might always invite others into a relationship with this God who came to us in Jesus Christ and comes to us still by the power of His Holy Spirit. It is my prayer that the North American Lutheran Church might be used by God in a way that brings glory to His Holy Name.
Clergy – Three-year term
The Rev. Rebecca M. Heber
Home: Heathrow, Fla.
Congregation: Oasis Church, Lake Mary, Florida
Call: Mission Developer, Oasis Church, Lake Mary, Florida
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
Growing up in a Lutheran parsonage!
24 years in ordained ministry.
NALC Mission Start Pastor (co-founded Oasis Church with pastor-husband, September 2010).
NALC Provisional Dean for Florida.
Lutheran CORE Steering Committee member (2½ years).
Lutheran CORE Region 9 Coordinator (2½ years).
Outspoken witness on the side of Orthodoxy at ELCA synod assemblies and meetings.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
A passion for God, a heart for people.
Faith in Jesus Christ.
Love of Truth and boldness to stand up for Truth.
Convinced of and committed to the Solas of the Reformation — Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Word Alone, to the Glory of God Alone.
Enthusiastic, “happy-to-be-Lutheran” Christian.
Self-starter
See a need, meet a need attitude.
Organizational ability
I care about the NALC — its future, its fidelity to the Word, its members, its leaders, and those whom we will and must reach with the Gospel.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
Matthew 17:5, Titus 1:2, and Hebrews 6:18.
By the grace of God, I have cast my life, my soul, my all on the One about Whom God declared, “This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him” and I do so confident that this declaration is trustworthy and true, for “It is impossible for God to lie.”
Clergy – Four-year term
The Rev. James T. Lehmann
Home: Fithian, Illinois
Congregation: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Thomasboro, Illinois
Current Call: Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Thomasboro, Illinois
Experience within the body of Christ that has prepared you for service in this position:
I received a strong biblical and catechetical training in my youth. I have served 32 years of ordained ministry, experiencing both congregational cooperation and conflict. I have served on synod council and committees. I have experience working with colleagues (interns and associates). Traveling to Ethiopia has broadened my experience of the global church. Serving on the Executive Committee and as a dean of the NALC has helped me to know how we function and what concerns congregations have.
What spiritual gifts and skills has God given you to bless this ministry?
I have a strong foundation on the Word of God as understood from a Lutheran perspective. I enjoy teaching the Bible. The rich liturgical heritage of public worship and private prayer strengthens me. God has granted me the gift of patience. I can listen with empathy and understanding of people’s experiences and positions. I work collaboratively and encourage others in their ministry.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers.” When I commit myself to these fundamentals: Scripture, fellowship, Eucharist, and prayer, I stay on track, find inner strength, and grow in faith. These tools of the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church and keeps it united in the one true faith.”
Teaching — instructing others in the Bible and in a logical and systematic way for understanding and growth.
List a favorite Scripture verse and tell why it has meaning for you.
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” These words are spoken at every baptism as a call to the person being baptized, and a reminder for those who hear these words, that we are a priesthood of all believers, glorifying God in our words and actions so that we may point people to Christ. We are not the light, but we reflect the light of Christ so that others may know Him as Lord and Savior.