Karl Lauger, Moderator

One of my first memories of LaSalle Street Church is of evergreen trees hanging upside down from the ceiling of the sanctuary. I didn't understand the meaning of the upside down trees (and still don't), but that didn't matter. I knew I liked a church that would do something like that. The trees were visually arresting and served to jar me from my normal Sunday morning routine. Moments like these stand out clearly in my mind, but the key factor that drew me to LaSalle and that kept me coming back was the lack of manipulation. I've so often felt manipulated during worship services at other churches to feel something in particular or to respond in a certain way. I felt none of that at LaSalle and knew it was the place for me. My response could be genuinely mine and need not be the orchestrated response that someone else hoped to produce in me. I remember sobbing once during a song - shoulders heaving, tears streaming down my face. That never happens to me, but it did once at this church. I'm glad to be here.

Ami Campbell, Assistant Moderator

I am currently serving as assistant moderator. In the past, I was treasurer, and for two years I was on staff part-time as CAO during a transitional period in the church’s leadership and structure. My professional background is in business, having been a management consultant for a decade. Now I am at home raising our two daughters who are in kindergarten and first grade.

My husband, Chris, and I were married at LaSalle in 1997.  At the time, we were moving to Chicago from Boston, and we searched for a church that was small enough to feel intimate, but large enough to be making a difference. We found that elusive combination at LaSalle. We feel blessed to be both part of and loved by this community.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve. 

Bill Clapp, Clerk

I grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, was baptized as an infant in the Presbyterian church, but lived a secular life through college, medical school, and medical residency. I came to faith in Christ during my subspecialty fellowship in Iowa City in 1992 in response to a true existential crisis. I moved to Chicago in 1995 to work at Lawndale Christian Health Center and to participate in the community of Lawndale Community Church. I met Karen Buck in 1996 and we married in 1999. We purchased a home in the Austin community in 2001 and have been blessed by two girls - Miriam, who was born in 2002 and Ellen who was born in 2004. Our family has been at LaSalle Street Church since early in 2006. We love the community and the tolerance engendered by this church, where serious seekers can ask any question, critical thinking is encouraged, singles do not feel excluded, and working for social justice is an established tradition.

Kathryn Scanland, Treasurer

I left the Church for a number of years because something didn’t feel right about a contrived faith; meaning, you must believe exactly as everyone else in a church believes or you’re really not a Christian.  Then a personal crisis drove me back to the church searching for community and grace.

I was intrigued by this church I kept hearing about in the city; one that had many active ministries like the Senior Center, Breaking Bread, etc.  On my first visit to LaSalle I expected to see a congregation of hundreds or even a thousand people, after all, how could a small congregation provide so many dynamic programs for the city?  When I heard Pastor Laura at a Newcomer’s Dinner describe LaSallers as a group of quietly courageous Christians, serving selflessly in so many ways, I knew that I had found a new church home.

In contrast to the years of feeling like my faith was contrived, the openness and grace expressed at LaSalle has enabled me to become spiritually empowered, living in God’s abundant grace and mercy each day.

Ryan Mayhew, Assistant Treasurer

I discovered LaSalle just a little over four years ago when I first came to Chicago for grad school.  Here I found a wonderfully diverse and caring community committed to meeting each of us where we are in our faith journey and then coming alongside to helping us grow.  I was, and continue to be, impressed by the passionate commitment to the surrounding community and the realistic recognition that we are all imperfect individuals.  The next step in my professional training had the potential to take me away from Chicago and LaSalle.  I am very pleased that God has provided a means for me to stay in Chicago and to continue to be a part of this very special community.

Ken Cozette, Elder at Large

I have been involved with the LSC community since 1978. Although I have served at LSC in a variety of ways during the last 30 years, I have mostly been served, and been cared for, and strengthened so as not to be consumed by the kingdom of this world. To properly respond to God’s call upon my life, I realize that I must work through the wounds and sins of my humanity to have more genuine relationships with God, God’s people, and those God yearns to have as “God’s people.” I am in such good company at LSC, with those who inspire me through their own transformation in Christ. I count LSC and its saints as my spiritual home away from Home.  

Paul Hettinga, Elder at Large

My wife Joanna and I have been active at LSC for nearly 10 years, but we knew of LaSalle long before attending. We were drawn to LaSalle based on its commitment to the centrality of Christ in Worship and the inclusiveness of the gospel, coupled with it's commitment to social and economic justice. Now we can both say what keeps us here...and that is the deep sense of centering and joy we experience as members of our our LaSalle family. We can both truly testify that this kind of intimate connection to each other that is felt at LSC is rare, and we treasure the depth of feeling and commitment that has grown in us while being at LaSalle.

Serving alongside the other board and staff members has been one of the finest experiences of my life. Along with being challenged, inspired and motivated, I find that I am accepted and loved; resulting in a deepening and transforming walk with Christ.

Cliff Johnson, Elder at Large

My wife Amber and I hoped to start fresh in Chicago in February 2006, but we had no clue where to start. We had no denominational affiliation. We were unsure what Chicago neighborhood would be our long-term home. We had been asking far more theological questions than any church could answer.

When a dear friend us to LaSalle, I was intrigued but skeptical. After all, our wish list of church characteristics seemed scattered and unrealistic: respect for ancient worship traditions, encouragement of independent critical thought, concern for social justice. The list went on and on. But that first Sunday at LaSalle shocked us. Laura’s sermon seemed directly drawn from our own yearnings and frustrations. She quoted Brian McLaren and Bono in the same sermon…deserving of a pastoral award. There was room for us in this church, room to grow, ask dangerous questions and build real relationships. We knew right then: the phonebook hadn’ t helped, but we had found a church anyway.

Jane Lambshead, Elder at Large

I am so grateful for the LaSalle Street Church community! This church embodies the essential, as well as many non-essential, aspects of church life that I value highly. Most important is the unique balance of biblical faith and social justice. My faith has been nurtured and stretched through worship services, small groups and studies, and conversations with individuals who live out their faith in awesome ways. I love the beauty of our historic sanctuary, the beauty of the music from many cultures and Christian traditions, and the creative, thematic worship services that stimulate my thinking, my spirit and my prayer life. I teach second grade in Oak Park; enjoy my 3 grown children; have a grandchild on the way; and take great delight in God's creation, during all 4 seasons!

Dana Nasralla, Elder at Large

I discovered and began attending LaSalle Street Church nearly three decades ago. For all but five of those years I was single and living and teaching in, The Hood. I am now married, the mother of two toddlers and living in Oak Park. Through many changes, LaSalle has remained a place where I have felt known, loved and deeply cared for. LaSalle is a community with a strong interest in being unapologetically Christian without being "Churchy." We run the danger of being arrogant and overly focused on what we are not. At our best, however, we are providing a home and fertile ground that points to Christ for many who have lost hope in The Church. It has been a blessing to spend my adult life as a member of this body of people who struggle to be ardent followers of Jesus.

Dan West, Elder at Large

I am (in chronological order) the son of a Baptist preacher, raised mostly in northern California; a graduate of Wheaton College; a former Army officer; a high-school biology teacher; former long-term member of Circle Church in Chicago and in Oak Park; husband of Judy and father of Jeremy and Ben, both now in their mid-twenties; and profoundly blessed to be a member of LaSalle Street Church and to serve with exceptionally stimulating and supportive people on the current Elder Board.  All of these have been means of God’s grace to me.  I have just enough faith to believe (on my good days) that by all these and other means, God is shaping me into a creation that will bring him joy, and that God is gently and surely shaping you as well.

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