FOR YEARS, I’VE been halfway out the church door when it comes to finding spiritual resources that support my deep grief over our sick planet. While there are a growing number of faith leaders teaching on climate change, I confess it sometimes feels too late for people like me who are already losing confidence in institutional Christianity. It’s easier, often, to join like-minded people beyond church walls.
But today I still go to church. In fact, I’m working with A Rocha USA, a nationwide creation care group, to launch a yearlong program for churches in my area yearning to respond faithfully and practically to creation’s groans. Why stay here, rather than turning my energy toward other environmental efforts?
The harvest is ripe. More and more Christians from across the theological spectrum want their faith communities to do something about our environmental crises. A Rocha USA regularly receives requests from churches asking for practical creation care support. These churches might not readily partner with secular environmental groups, but having a theologically credible guide makes all the difference between concerned paralysis and meaningful action.
Churches and denominations also own a significant portion of land around the world. Changing land stewardship practices in a few churches has the potential to ripple across networks and shift norms. What if it became as normal for a church to convert a portion of their land to growing native plants as it is for a church to run a neighborhood soccer ministry?
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