Pastor “Cliff” H. Eldon Akerman, Interim Senior Pastor.
Pastor Cliff describes his role as Interim Senior Pastor is be a "...'non-anxious” presence providing pastoral leadership as you seek God’s preferred future." You will have the services of an experienced intentional interim pastor (interpretation: you will have a well-qualified pastor in place during the time in between called pastors.)

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The Contract between you and me states the following responsibilities: • Preach and teach the Word of God each Sunday and special days of the Church year; • Keep office hours on Monday through Thursday ; • Preside at worship and administer the sacraments according to the practice and teaching of the Lutheran Church; • Provide pastoral care to all members of the parish according to their needs; • Give pastoral leadership for regular monthly council meetings, for the work of committees and for all special congregational meetings, as needed; • Encourage support for the total ministry of the ELCA; • Continue confirmation, first communion and new member instruction to give understanding and embodiment to membership in the Lutheran Church; • Serve as Chief of Staff with oversight of all staff members; • In general I will assist Lord of Life prepare for a new senior pastor and vision of ministry.

I serve as a resource person during the Call Process only as requested by the Call Committee or the Bishop. Of course, I am not a candidate for Call to be your permanent pastor. Lord of Life members are called upon to receive me as your interim senior pastor and uphold me in prayer according me your love, respect and good will. You are called upon to look to me to preside at baptisms, marriages and funerals of members. Your commitment to the Gospel of faithful participation in worship, learning and fellowship activities assist me in my service and assist Lord of Life in its mission and ministry.

That’s most of the “official stuff.” Let’s just have a great, joy filled time together during this “non-anxious in-between time.” All is in good hands because we rely on the guidance of our Living Lord and the fellowship on His Spirit. I like to think that I make good use of humor, express sound theological principles, and make worship and learning meaningful to everyday contemporary life. This is my invitation to all of you to get to know me and work with me as I accept the role as your interim Senior Pastor. May God bless us each and everyone.

Pastor Nancy Minette Simpson joined Lord of Life as the Associate Pastor in July 2009. She describes her mission and vision...

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"It is a joy to serve Jesus Christ in this community of disciples and you will find me present in leading worship on Sunday and in special services either presiding, preaching, or both. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you in worship service and sharing a handshake or a hug of faith, so that we become encouragers to each other in our Christian faith journey and ministries. During the week I am involved with the Faith Formation Team, the Outreach/Evangelism/Communication Ministries, Confirmation Instruction Team, Adult Education, and ministry development to the homebound, hospitalized and those in nursing-rehabilitation situations. This sounds like a lot of attention to various ministries - and it is, but it is only a portion of the ministry being carried out by the devoted disciples in this congregation.

Before arriving at Lord of Life on July 1, 2009, I completed my four-year Master of Divinity Degree at Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest in Austin, Texas. I also received a Bachelor's Degree at Our Lady of the Lake University in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Religious Studies and have an Associate's Degree in Interior Design. I am a native Texan and have been raised in the Christian faith within the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and so I am thankful to all those in the whole Lutheran Church who have nurtured me in the faith from an infant on.

My husband, Gregg and I live in Dayton, Texas out in the country, so we are close to the earth, watching the wonders of God as the fiery orange sun sets and the bright stars appear in the black sky. It is with this view that we appreciate the living gifts of God - which includes you! Come to church and let us bless the Lord together!"