Our Story and FAQs

LUX CHRISTI IS A COMMITMENT

The Lux Christi rhythms focus three lenses so that Christ may radiate His light:

Word of God
Prayer
Service to our neighbor

(read more in "Practice Lux Christi")

THE LUX CHRISTI STORY

"Out of darkness into the light of God

We have been called by Christ our Lord..."

(First lines of School Hymn of Concordia University, Portland, Oregon, USA. Hymn Writer: Rev. Dr. John Scheck)

After the closure of Concordia University, Portland, Oregon, in 2020, a small group of grieving former students and staff spent time in prayer asking God "what is next?"

From this time of mourning and listening, the Holy Spirit directed a forward path: to grow a "flat network" or "simple community of practice" on the core value in the original motto of the university: "Christi Crux est Mihi Lux" ("The Cross of Christ is Light to Me"). The new expression would radiate the core of the original motto, and the 100-plus years of the university as a center for launching servant leaders who were loved by Christ to love others.

This new expression would not be an academic entity. Instead, it would exist as a gentle support to servant-leaders radiating Christ's love everywhere and anywhere in the world. It would include new people of all ages and stages and environments (both singles and couples committed to the simple Lux Christi rhythms) who were not affiliated with the university in any way. Lux Christi would serve -- through each unique person radiating His love -- as an expression of Christ's light and love for the cosmos shone through his death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb.

Many people see Christians as "standing against" them, or standing on a political platform or advocating a particular cultural ideology -- but Christ came for all. Every person, every culture, every "ethnos" (Revelation 7:9). Christ is FOR you, he is FOR us. In Jesus, God is "in your corner," knows your heart -- your joys and pain -- and loves you dearly.

Lux Christi seeks to be a supportive structure for a global community where the pure Gospel of Christ's love and forgiveness through His death and resurrection for each and every person is radiantly lived and practiced. Lux Christi exists to simply support relationships gathered around God's word, prayer, and service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

This site is deliberately simple in structure because Lux Christi is a "flat network." We cannot emphasize this enough: If you find the Lux Christi rhythms a helpful commitment, please practice them and consider gathering some friends around the Lux Christi rhythms.

WHY SO SIMPLE?

The world is overloaded with complexity.

Jesus says "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Lux Christi is a simple structure to help you receive Jesus' love, be warmed by His love, and radiate His love together with others in relationship. Think of the trellis that supports the vine, or the basket that helps the tomato plant bear fruit. That's the Lux Christi structure.

Lux Christi is not THE WAY (that's Jesus!), it is just a "little way." We think this "little way" can be helpful, especially for those who seek to radiate Christ in arenas and communities where the church is not in charge.

WHAT IS "LUX CHRISTI LECTIO" AND WHY SHOULD I JOIN?

Lux Christi Lectio is the only weekly, consistent gathering online of Lux Christi practitioners. It is 30 minutes at Noon, Wednesday, PST, listening to someone read from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and the opportunity to share brief prayers and celebrations in the chat on the stream (at present time we're using Youtube to stream).

The focus of Lux Christi is local and personal. However, we wanted to create a single touch-point for practitioners around the world that captures some of the heart of the Lux Christi vision (and gives you an easy way to "log" reading/listening to the Gospels regularly as part of your commitment to the Lux Christi rhythms -- yes, sometimes we're like you and don't get our reading/listening done and need a little help!).

So, check out Lux Christi Lectio and be encouraged!

To make sure you're always in the loop on Lux Christi Lectio, we recommend you take two actions:

Request to be on the Lux Christi email list by writing to luxchristiglobal@gmail.com (if something goes wrong with the stream or other technical issues, that's how we'll keep you in the loop; plus you'll receive any other news this way)
Find Lux Christi on YouTube and subscribe/follow the channel so you can catch the livestream every Wednesday. If you're like us, you'll appreciate setting a reminder in Youtube and on your phone so that you don't miss Lux Christi Lectio. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGMb4HiFNHm2PjTjzJn2JLw

IS THERE A CONFERENCE OR LARGE FACE-TO-FACE GATHERING?

At present, no. We expect that there may be any number of gatherings (both small group and large) in the future, and our hope is that they arise organically rather than through a centralized organization.

HOW DO CHURCH OR OTHER MINISTRIES INTEGRATE WITH LUX CHRISTI?

Lux Christi is a practice, or rhythm of life. Like water, it fits into any container. Like light, it enters any window. Have fun with that!

THIS IS IT? SEEMS WAY TOO SIMPLE! AND WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH "THE LITTLE WAYS?"

There are no projects or programs directed by Lux Christi. That is by intention and by design.

People committed to the rhythms gather in a variety of "little ways" -- sometimes larger groups, sometimes just two people walking, serving, or praying together -- and these "little ways" allow flexibility to meet the adaptive challenges of the 21st century. Lux Christi Lectio brings us together around the word as a weekly rhythm too.

The dream is that faithful projects, acts of service, new programs and events, new ministries, new missions -- and most important of all, new hearts aflame with the love of Christ -- are fruit of people practicing the simple rhythms of Lux Christi. This is especially helpful in arenas and communities where the church is not in charge. These little moments -- mostly unseen by anyone but God -- are the "little ways" that lead to big changes.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

We believe the best education is in the school of experience under the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Which is a long way of saying, "to find out more just give it a try."

First, READ through the two main pages on this site (the third page is just connecting links to social media and the YouTube Lectio stream) which is all you need to get started.

Second, TRY THE RHYTHMS. That's it. Give it a try! Get started on your own -- or with a friend or two.

Then, MAKE A COMMITMENT to The Lux Christi Practice.

Finally: we encourage you to request to receive the Lux Christi email. Here's why: It's the primary method we use to keep Lux Christi friends in the loop.

It's also the only way to get critical updates if there are changes to the weekly online meeting link to Lux Christi Lectio (the weekly Lux Christi gathering online stream) where friends from all over the world gather for 30 minutes to hear a Gospel reading (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) and leave prayers and celebrations in the chat.

To receive the Lux Christi email, please request inclusion in our mailing list by writing to: luxchristiglobal@gmail.com

WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY?

Lux Christi means "Light of Christ" so the "who" is Jesus, first and foremost. Lux Christi is also all of us -- anyone practicing the rhythms regularly, letting Jesus work on us through His four Gospels, prayer, and service. But you're asking how this movement started, and who started it, aren't you?!

The team behind the origin of these rhythms is a group of friends: former staff and students who were brought together by association with now-closed Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Lux Christi began as a dream for simplicity of practice and a way to pass the torch for the heart of the former university (Concordia University at it's best was about launching servant leaders radiating Christ's love).

Since we're focused on the "little ways," we find it best to begin quietly and with little fanfare. We'd like to keep our eyes and your eyes focused on practicing the Lux Christi rhythms. We encourage you to do the same, and include friends of your own in these rhythms.

WHAT IF I WANT TO START A LUX CHRISTI GROUP WITH FRIENDS?

That's the idea.

We're not into permission giving. Just do it. We'd rather you listen to the Holy Spirit through His word and do what He says.

Have fun with that!

HOW DO I LET YOU KNOW HOW IT'S GOING?

Honestly, we don't need to know how it's going. Really -- that's not the core of what this is all about!

It's more important that you just do it. And find friends to do it with you. Now... if you want to be encouraged with others who are committed to the Lux Christi practices, there are a couple of options:

1. Lux Christi Lectio (our weekly 30-minute online gathering on Wednesdays at Noon Pacific Time to hear the Gospel and share prayers and celebrations in the chat) is the only regular connection option provided by our team for all practitioners of the "little way" of Lux Christi -- and it is limited by design. Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGMb4HiFNHm2PjTjzJn2JLw

2. Lux Christi Global Twitter -- https://twitter.com/luxchristiworld this is an emerging feed, so please be patient. The hope is that you'll find the stuff there to be an encouragement to your practice (please don't dm or ask questions/permission in the feed, we will not respond).

3. Lux Christi Global Facebook Page -- https://www.facebook.com/luxchristiworld/ this is an emerging page, so please be patient. We are presently in "beta-test mode" on what works best to support the Lux Christi Rhythms for anyone committed to them.

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS MOST IMPORTANT FOCUS: LUX CHRISTI IS LOCAL AND PERSONAL. If Lux Christi is anything, it's "close to the ground"--with friends you walk with, pray with, read the Gospels with, and serve with. We can't wait to see all the ways you do that! We can't wait to see how Lux Christi friends connect in new and creative ways to Read/Listen, Pray, and Serve!

IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT?

Nope. Whatever your age, if you want to give the Lux Christi rhythms a try -- go for it! The only requirement is wanting to experience Jesus in His word and through prayer, serving others, and radiating His love.

ARE YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

The Lux Christi structure is simple by design. We believe in the power of encouraging networks and positive community focused on word, prayer, and service. But most of all, we believe in local practice -- so don't expect a "top-down" or hierarchical approach to Lux Christi.

However, we also recognize the value of social media in helping curate encouraging topics and social networks. Join other Lux Christi practitioners online here:

TWITTER -- https://twitter.com/luxchristiworld and
FACEBOOK -- https://www.facebook.com/luxchristiworld/

The goal is to be encouraged and connected to other practitioners of Lux Christi as well as curated topics around spiritual formation and practices (please do not send questions to us via dm or in our twitter feed -- we will not respond. We assume that you have all you need to get started with the simple content on this website. We use social media only to support and encourage you in spiritual formation practices).

YOUTUBE STREAM -- Don't forget you can join the livestream Lectio on Youtube every Wednesday at Noon PST, subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGMb4HiFNHm2PjTjzJn2JLw

WHY IS THERE A LINK TO GET A T-SHIRT?

Yep, we don't do projects or programs or raise funds but we do T-shirts (no profit/at cost -- we literally found the cheapest way to provide top-quality T-shirts online without a single cent coming back to Lux Christi.).

Why?

Because....

Lux Christi is always local and always no or low-cost;
It's about you and Lux Christi Friends who read, pray, play and -- especially -- serve with you;
A good T-shirt goes hand in hand with service;
A good T-shirt tells people that you're committed to something (and they might want to be part of it);
A good T-shirt looks mighty fine drenched with sweat and/or covered in dirt.

Note: We encourage anyone buying a T-shirt to buy at least two: one for you and one to give away to a friend or to someone you serve.

GET YOUR T-SHIRT/S HERE (Sizes run small):

https://www.bonfire.com/lux-christi-2/

I SEE THAT LUX CHRISTI HAS A LUTHERAN HERITAGE -- CAN I PARTICIPATE EVEN IF I'M NOT LUTHERAN?

Yes! Please!

Lux Christi has roots in Christian-Lutheran heritage with now-closed Concordia University, Portland, Oregon (a Lutheran University). However, Lux Christi is not a denomination or church.

It is:

1. A simple structure,

2. A commitment by each person to practice the Lux Christi rhythms.

HOW CAN I BECOME A LUX CHRISTI LECTOR?

What's a "lector?" Sounds like something in a cool fantasy novel.

A lector is simply a reader. The Lux Christi Lectio that happens live on Wednesdays (streamed live) requires a host/reader person.

Requirements include the following:

Commitment to the Lux Christi Practice (the rhythms of Lux Christi);
A quality bandwidth that can handle streaming from your computer
A computer (!)
A bible
The desire and ability to read out loud and lead a prayer at the beginning and end of the reading.

If you're interested, please send an email to luxchristiglobal@gmail.com and our leadership team will get in touch and interview you to serve as a lector. This role does not come with the T-shirt (you'll have to get one of those on your own :) ).

NO, REALLY -- WHAT IF I WANT TO START A LUX CHRISTI GROUP?

Well you made it to the bottom of the FAQ's which is an amazing scrolling effort itself! So, we can already tell that you have the courage and ability to launch a Lux Christi group (insert smiling face emoji here).

Our first response is AWESOME! GO FOR IT! You've decided you'd like to meet with a friend (or two, or three, or more!) who practice Lux Christi rhythms. We love this!

Our second response is please consider CONNECTING WITH US AND OTHER LUX CHRISTI GROUP LEADERS. Here's why: we're putting together a list of interested Lux Christi group leaders to share ideas and encouragement.

Every now and then we'll send out an email to those of you on the list and host an online meet-and-greet to strengthen the support network. When you send us an email at luxchristiglobal@gmail.com please do two things:

1. Share your name, and,

2. What's motivating you to try this approach.

(We get hit with spam and weird emails, so please help us know that you're legit).

We'd love to hear from you! (And please be patient, this is an all-volunteer network)

Lux Christi

A global community radiating Christ in word, prayer and service

A global community radiating Christ in word, prayer and service

LUX CHRISTI IS A COMMITMENT

THE LUX CHRISTI STORY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Extra lux

A global community radiating Christ in word, prayer and service

A global community radiating Christ in word, prayer and service

LUX CHRISTI IS A COMMITMENT

THE LUX CHRISTI STORY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Extra lux

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