Christians and Christian Communities "Going Green"
We are at a critical moment in earth's history. The next few decades will determine whether we will pass on a planet to future generations (and indeed to all life) that is sustainable and life-giving or a planet devastated and dying. This may be the single most important issue facing us today.
The Judeo-Christian faith has always been called by God to "choose life" (Deuteronomy 30:19). Now we are called to choose life for all life on this beautiful home we share. In the face of slow response by nations (especially our own, the United States) to respond quickly and powerfully to this crisis, churches once again (as they were in the civil rights movement and in the anti-war movements) can be a force to move us all toward better and wiser stewardship.
My own worshipping community, Mayflower UCC has proclaimed itself an "Earthwise" congregration and is calling upon the national UCC body to support this effort. I am trying to create a network of information and support across denominational lines that could work together for helping to call attention and take action at this critical time.
Here are links to some useful guides and suggestions of environmental options for religious communities. I hope to add to this list over the coming weeks. If you have ideas or suggestions, I would welcome them. You can contact me at
The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) has provided two very useful environmentally-focused resources for Christians of all denominations --"Awakening to God's Call to Earthkeeping"--a study guide for faith-based small groups, adult or youth Christian education programs or retreats, and the "ELCA Environmental Audit Guide". Both resources can be downloaded without cost as PDF files. Here is the link: http://archive.elca.org/advocacy/environment/index.html
Together with my colleague, Marc Anderson, I am currently working on a new resource of music based upon faith-based earthkeeping. It will be entitled "Tree of LIfe" and will be released for Earth Week, April 12-18, 2009.
Learn more about Earth Week at