How about a church that started as an old farmhouse? That is the story of Christus Victor Lutheran Church. A lot has changed since then. However the core of who the church is as Lutherans has remained the same.
Christus Victor Lutheran Church strives to make the Living Christ known. It shares Jesus’ love. The church welcomes all people made in the image of God. It opens itself up to joining Jesus’ ministry in the world.
In 2020, Christus Victor Lutheran Church began working with Pastor Greg Finke of Dwelling 1:14. Together they discovered how Jesus is guiding them into becoming neighborhood missionaries. They are actively learning about what it means to Join Jesus in their everyday lives. This includes where they live, work, and play. They learned that everyone has a gift to share. This can be being a greeter, working in the Sunday School, or stocking the food pantry. It is a real community here at Christus Victor.
Lutherans are Christians. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They believe Jesus was fully divine and fully human. In Jesus, God became human and bore our human condition to save us from sin and death. He restored us to a right relationship with God. Jesus came to make known God’s love and grace to our broken and seeking world. The ultimate symbol of that love is the Cross. Jesus was crucified there and gave his life for the sake of the world. In Christ, we enjoy grace, mercy, freedom, and new life.
Lutherans were the first protestants. It all began in 1517. A German monk named Martin Luther posted a list of 95 points of disagreement with the Roman Catholic Church. This took place on the doors of the Cathedral Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The main differences between Luther and the Catholic Church concerned the nature of our salvation. Lutherans believe that we are already saved by God’s grace. We receive grace through faith and not by anything we do.
Lutherans read the Bible through the lens of God’s grace. They believe that the Bible is the Word of God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It was recorded by faithful people. It is the story of God and God’s people. It tells the story of God’s great love for us. When we read the Bible, we become part of the story. For Lutherans, the heart of the biblical message is the good news. Jesus Christ died and rose again to bring us into relationship with God. That relationship gives hope, comfort, and purpose to our lives.
Worship is at the heart of the Christus Victor Lutheran Church community. In worship, members experience God together. They sing hymns and songs. They read passages from the Bible. They listen to messages connecting the Bible lessons with daily life. They receive Holy Communion.
The Christogram is a symbol. It proclaims the truth that Jesus Christ conquers. The IC and XC are the first and last letters in Greek for Jesus and Christ. NIKA is connected to the word for Victory.
Christus Victor Lutheran Church is a community of God’s people. They are called, sustained, and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament. As the body of Christ, they are obedient to Him. He is the Head. They proclaim the kingdom of God both in words and actions.
Christus Victor Lutheran Church exists to encourage each other to grow in Christ. They share the Gospel with all people. They provide a fellowship for all Christian believers. They maintain a biblically focused Christian atmosphere by serving God and others.
The pastor of Christus Victor is Reverend Joseph Christina. He is a native of Chicagoland. He is married and has 4 children plus a few dogs and cats, some chickens, and a duck. He is a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. His interests include heavy metal, Nintendo, and Vietnam-to-modern-era fighter aircraft.