by Alex McKeague
They watched their sanctuary burn. The community was happy to see it go. The firefighters let it burn. It was a controlled burn, but it burned to the ground nonetheless. The congregation of Christus Victor Lutheran Church was overjoyed. It was the 1980s and this era of change brought with it plans for a new sanctuary at Christus Victor. Instead of simply demolishing the old sanctuary to build the new one, Christus Victor worked with the local fire department to use the sanctuary to train firefighters. Christus Victor was even highlighted in a Baltimore Sun article on the church titled The Little Church that Can. Even in demolishing their sanctuary, Christus Victor chose to serve.
This burning spirit of service is alive and well in the congregation today! In a recent Affirmation Ministry Review, the synod review team spent time with more than 15 leaders of the congregation, Pastor Chris Litton, and several members of the community and the congregation, lifting up affirmations of ministry and developing recommendations to move them into the next 60 years. The spirit of service was lifted up consistently as a hallmark of Christus Victor. It has been in their DNA since their inception in 1957 as the "Cub Hill Lutheran Mission" and continues today.
The purpose of these Affirmation Ministry Reviews is to "catch people doing mission right" in our Delaware-Maryland Synod congregations. With so many ministries "doing mission right” at Christus Victor, we could devote an entire website just to that (teaser...it's in development). Just to share a few of the many ministries Christus Victor provides their community: Victor's Vittles Food Pantry, homeless bags, prayer shawls, school supplies for Title 1 kids, Stumpees for Amputees, quilts, baptism blankets, helmet liners for Marines, and even Ravens Nest scarves. They collect, coordinate and give throughout the Baltimore community. To learn more check out their Community Outreach page.
When asked what they are known for, the vast majority of congregation members say something along the lines of, "We are known as a friendly, hospitable, and generous church." When we asked the leaders in the community what Christus Victor was known for, they replied that the church was known to be a friendly, hospitable, and caring congregation. THAT doesn’t always happen! Plus, when you worship at Christus Victor, you will know their mission: "Unite in Christ, Grow in Faith, Serve in Love, and Share the Good News!" If you don’t get it the first time, the mission statement is repeated at the end of the services. Yes, repeated. The mission of Christus Victor is recited twice every service. The first step in doing mission right is knowing your mission!
The list of affirmations compiled by the Affirmation Ministry Team was extensive, impressive, and humbling. The common thread was love. This is a congregation that loves their community, each other, and God! They lift and affirm their pastor, their Music Director, their staff, and laity. They enjoy the "intimate" church feel in their congregation.
As with all churches, Christus Victor has its growth areas. They too look for ways to increase attendance, giving, and participation in the faith formation practices. They are a humble congregation who struggle with "bragging" to the world the good news of what God has done in their lives. To this end, the engaged, passionate, and tenacious leadership of Christus Victor looks to grow into a NEW headline. They are committed to moving from being The Little Church that Can to being known as The Intimate Church that Does!
Visit them and see for yourself! They can be found at 9833 Harford Road in the Parkville neighborhood of Baltimore County. They are the church with the fire red roof...coincidence? I think not.
Interested in having a Ministry Affirmation Review done at your congregation? It's for any congregation seeking to affirm and seek what God is calling them to be now and in the future. Contact Justina Sergeon by email at our synod office and one of review team members will get back to you with more information. We are also proud to share these reviews are funded by our synod's Forward in Faith Discipleship funds. You can help us do more by giving to the campaign.
The purpose of these Affirmation Ministry Reviews is to "catch people doing mission right" in our Delaware-Maryland Synod congregations. With so many ministries "doing mission right” at Christus Victor, we could devote an entire website just to that (teaser...it's in development). Just to share a few of the many ministries Christus Victor provides their community: Victor's Vittles Food Pantry, homeless bags, prayer shawls, school supplies for Title 1 kids, Stumpees for Amputees, quilts, baptism blankets, helmet liners for Marines, and even Ravens Nest scarves. They collect, coordinate and give throughout the Baltimore community. To learn more check out their Community Outreach page.
When asked what they are known for, the vast majority of congregation members say something along the lines of, "We are known as a friendly, hospitable, and generous church." When we asked the leaders in the community what Christus Victor was known for, they replied that the church was known to be a friendly, hospitable, and caring congregation. THAT doesn’t always happen! Plus, when you worship at Christus Victor, you will know their mission: "Unite in Christ, Grow in Faith, Serve in Love, and Share the Good News!" If you don’t get it the first time, the mission statement is repeated at the end of the services. Yes, repeated. The mission of Christus Victor is recited twice every service. The first step in doing mission right is knowing your mission!
The list of affirmations compiled by the Affirmation Ministry Team was extensive, impressive, and humbling. The common thread was love. This is a congregation that loves their community, each other, and God! They lift and affirm their pastor, their Music Director, their staff, and laity. They enjoy the "intimate" church feel in their congregation.
As with all churches, Christus Victor has its growth areas. They too look for ways to increase attendance, giving, and participation in the faith formation practices. They are a humble congregation who struggle with "bragging" to the world the good news of what God has done in their lives. To this end, the engaged, passionate, and tenacious leadership of Christus Victor looks to grow into a NEW headline. They are committed to moving from being The Little Church that Can to being known as The Intimate Church that Does!
Visit them and see for yourself! They can be found at 9833 Harford Road in the Parkville neighborhood of Baltimore County. They are the church with the fire red roof...coincidence? I think not.
Interested in having a Ministry Affirmation Review done at your congregation? It's for any congregation seeking to affirm and seek what God is calling them to be now and in the future. Contact Justina Sergeon by email at our synod office and one of review team members will get back to you with more information. We are also proud to share these reviews are funded by our synod's Forward in Faith Discipleship funds. You can help us do more by giving to the campaign.