Environmental Engagement in Mainline Protestant Denominations and Orthodox Communions
Protestant Denominations, which includes "mainline" Protestant denominations as well as churches in Anglican (Episcopal), African American, and other traditions, together with Orthodox Communions, express their collective unity in Christ under the auspices of the National Council of Churches USA. These churches vary greatly in their theologies, styles of worship, organizational structures, and approaches to social issues. Yet within and enriched by this diversity is a strong commitment to service and advocacy on behalf of the earth and its people. The response of these churches to our environmental challenges has been both religiously creative and morally powerful. From the beginning, these churches have insisted that social justice and environmental concern be held together and together they coined the phrase "eco-justice." These churches have sought to incorporate this integral vision into every facet of their religious life.
Many Protestant and Orthodox churches have long histories of engaging on environmental issues. The theological and ethical basis for this engagement encompasses the following Biblical teachings: God is the Creator and owner of the Earth; Creation is good; God is involved in and cares for Creation; Humans are interdependent with all other creatures; Humans have a special role and responsibility in Creation. Ethical principles include: stewardship, concern for those in poverty, justice, solidarity, interdependence, and sufficiency.
Mainline Protestants, Peace Churches, and Historically African American Churches have strongly and consistently supported environmental concern and action as an extension of their active witness to the biblical values of peace, justice, and service. Eastern Orthodox Christians have illuminated the spiritual and moral dimensions of environmental issues with their rich theological, liturgical and spiritual traditions in which Creation and redemption, humanity and nature, are profoundly integrated. In a similar vein, African American churches have used environmental racism and injustice as an entry point for their congregations and congregants.
Each denomination and Orthodox communion has its own basis and process for determining its official positions. There is no single, authoritative statement. However, in February 2005, a group of theologians convened by the National Council of Churches USA gathered to create an ecumenical statement on the environment. The statement covered the topics of justice, sustainability, bio-responsibility, humility, generosity, frugality, solidarity, and compassion.
Statements and Teachings
Organizations and Programs
Many Protestant and Orthodox churches have long histories of engaging on environmental issues. The theological and ethical basis for this engagement encompasses the following Biblical teachings: God is the Creator and owner of the Earth; Creation is good; God is involved in and cares for Creation; Humans are interdependent with all other creatures; Humans have a special role and responsibility in Creation. Ethical principles include: stewardship, concern for those in poverty, justice, solidarity, interdependence, and sufficiency.
Mainline Protestants, Peace Churches, and Historically African American Churches have strongly and consistently supported environmental concern and action as an extension of their active witness to the biblical values of peace, justice, and service. Eastern Orthodox Christians have illuminated the spiritual and moral dimensions of environmental issues with their rich theological, liturgical and spiritual traditions in which Creation and redemption, humanity and nature, are profoundly integrated. In a similar vein, African American churches have used environmental racism and injustice as an entry point for their congregations and congregants.
Each denomination and Orthodox communion has its own basis and process for determining its official positions. There is no single, authoritative statement. However, in February 2005, a group of theologians convened by the National Council of Churches USA gathered to create an ecumenical statement on the environment. The statement covered the topics of justice, sustainability, bio-responsibility, humility, generosity, frugality, solidarity, and compassion.
Statements and Teachings
- Patriarchal Encyclical for Ecclessial New Year 2019
- God’s Earth is Sacred: An Open Letter to Church and Society in the United States
- National Council of Churches USA's Resolution on Global Warming
- The World is Our Host: A Call to Urgent Action for Climate Justice
- A Quaker Response to the Crisis of Climate Change
- Wisconsin Council of Churches' Statement on Environmental Justice (The WCC includes Protestant, Orthodox, and Evangelical member congregations)
- UCC Resolution on Climate Change
- UCC Report on Toxic Wastes and Race in the US
- Methodist Resolution on Environmental Justice for a Sustainable Future
- Manifesto for an Ecological Reformation of Christianity
- Christian Principles for a Healthy Body and Spirit
- Climate and Church
- Anglican African statement: An Urgent Cry for Ecological Justice
- Lutherans for Restoring Creation resources
- Episcopal resolution on climate
Organizations and Programs
- Creation Justice Ministries works in cooperation with the national bodies of Protestant denominations, Orthodox communions, regional faith groups, and congregants to protect and restore God's Creation. The ministry focuses on eco-justice, which is designed to heal and defend Creation, working to assure justice for all Creation and the human beings who live in it. A major task of Creation Justice Ministries is to provide program ideas and resources to help denominations, communions, and congregations as they engage in the work of eco-justice.