Environmental Stewardship

by Joyce Wilding

The ecological crisis of our time calls us to find more ways to integrate how we worship, work, play, and live. Old ways of thinking are inadequate as we deal with unprecedented threats to our world -- the destruction of habitats, the deterioration of air, land, and water, over-population, injustice and oppression. New ways of addressing these problems are emerging. These ways will only be effective if they are based on an awareness of the sacred integrity of all creation and the interdependence of all life.

In addressing this ecological crisis, we should remember that the individual who goes to work each week is not a different person from the one who goes to a house of faith, lives at home, or enjoys a favorite recreational area. Raising awareness with business people and church leaders is an important place to start.

More folks in the workplace and church need to know the work of the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies and how the CERES principles link corporate environmental responsibility with the bottom line. These principles cover environmental protection, resource conservation, risk reduction, product safety, public access to information, and accountability. CERES and other sustainable environmental organizations promote "the triple bottom line" -- environmental quality, social responsibility, and economic viability. Sustainable practices enable us to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. (see www.ceres.org)

Dr Robert K. Massie, IV, former CERES Executive Director, is an Episcopal priest with a doctorate in business policy from Harvard Business School. His work has inspired many to make more connection between good business and environmental stewardship. He talks passionately about the stewardship of creation and the origins of our current ecological condition. Dr Massie believes that every Christian should explore the challenges that face stewards of creation and servants of Christ in an era of great ecological upheaval. That means exploring questions like: What impact will these ecological changes have on our families and communities? How should Christians and other people of faith react? How can we relate our actions to our faith and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ? What are the roles and responsibilities of church leaders, business leaders, and others?

In our houses of worship, leaders and lay people often fail to connect their liturgy, learning, and lifestyle with better care of creation. Our religious traditions could provide more liturgies that celebrate the beauty and complexity of the origins and continued development of the Universe to help renew our reverence for all life. Our formal religious programs need to give more attention to the immanence of God that expands our sense of the sacred in the natural world. As we give thanks for the vast and amazing things taking place in the Universe, we may find more ways to protect and care for all creation. This could inspire us to live lighter on this earth never forgetting those who are poor and marginalized

Each house of worship could encourage its ordained and lay ministerial leaders to connect care of creation with religious ethics and practices. We could ask our divinity schools and seminaries to add or expand their eco-theology and earth ethics classes. This would lay a solid foundation for developing servant leaders, who could be more dynamic environmental stewards.

These stewards would be comfortable and effective asking each house of faith to conduct environmental audits. These audits might assess key components of the physical facilities, landscaping, water resources, energy efficiency, energy conservation and use of alternative energy, food service, transportation, parking and community relations. Recommendations should be made about ways to addresses the problems revealed by the audits. This may mean that more houses of faith would find more ways to serve the community while promoting earth sustainable principles.

Note: The Episcopal Ecological Network includes all Episcopalians who are helping our Church assume a leadership role in environmental ministry, just as our Church leads in other peace and justice issues.

[COVENANT, Number 19, January 2005]

Joyce Wilding is a member of the Episcopal Ecological Network's National Steering Committee, liaison to the Episcopal Science, Technology, & Faith Network, Co-leader of Sewanee ENTREAT Science & Religion programs, and Environmental Ministry Leader, Christ Church Cathedral Parish, Nashville, TN.