Fall 2024 · Vol. 53 No. 2 · pp. 179–186
Caring for Creation in the Local Church: Where to Begin?
Occasionally I am in conversations that include something like this: “OK. I’m convinced. I want my church to care for creation as part of following Jesus. But what should we do? Where do we start? And what if no one else at my church feels the same way?” 1
We who are God’s image bearers are invited as part of the original human vocation to join the Spirit’s work of bringing life to all creation.
Ooh, I love such questions. Granted, I have a soft spot for people with these concerns, and supporting them is a large part of my role as the Education Director for A Rocha Canada. 2 Each situation is stimulating because each one is different. For some congregations the first thing is to learn more. How is earthkeeping an aspect of discipleship? How does Scripture connect the care of creation to loving people and worshiping God? How is the ecological health of a landscape intertwined with the health of its inhabitants, human and nonhuman? Contrastingly, other p. 180 churches are immediately drawn to tangible projects. They pursue resource efficiencies with solar panels and low-flush toilets or get their hands dirty cleaning up a local waterway. And yet others find the Spirit drawing them into new or expanded practices and rhythms. For example, they explore the ways that the Eucharist, liturgy, or practices of lament and praise can draw us closer to the Creator, to our shared earthly home, and to our creaturely neighbors, be they birds or fish or trees or people. Thus, we care for creation with our heads, our hands, and our hearts.
Nevertheless, in each case the question “Where do we start?” still feels urgent. In my imagination there is a parallel to when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. He was eager for them to grow in their connection to the Father and taught them to pray, “Our Father, who is in heaven . . .” (Matt 6:9-13 CEB). And even though the Spirit has obviously inspired a huge range of prayer forms and styles and practices, the Lord’s Prayer remains an indispensable starting point. Recently, I’ve been intrigued by a metaphor that might serve, in a similar way, to get us started in the practice of creation care.
CALLED TO BE A REFUGE
A few years ago, Debra Rienstra, a Calvin University professor, wrote a book titled Refugia Faith that draws on an ecological concept. 3 When scientists studied landscapes devastated by a forest fire or a volcanic eruption, they were surprised by the pace of regeneration. They observed how pockets of life within the terrain survive the destruction and then function as repositories of biodiversity from which life spreads. Over time, plants and animals reconnect with other pockets, and this hastens the restoration of the whole ecosystem. These pockets are called refugia.
I think Rienstra is onto something when she claims that we, as Christ followers, are called to be refugia in this world. When our creaturely neighbors, whether human or otherwise, encounter God’s people, they ought to have a sense of stumbling onto an oasis, a refuge, in the middle of the desert. As Isaiah writes, “you will be like a well-watered garden” (Isa 58:11 NIV). I love the way the refugia idea is intended to be both metaphorical and literal, and I think it can be quite helpful as a guiding image. How might we live and operate such that we promote the flourishing of our places, the social and ecological communities in which we are embedded?
I stumbled across a powerful example of church-as-refugia when I discovered the Church Forests of Ethiopia. 4 Sadly, entire regions of the country, once vast forests, have been degraded because of deforestation, overgrazing, and the resulting drought-stricken climate. And yet small woodlands with thriving ecosystems are still scattered in the middle of these landscapes (the overhead drone images are particularly striking). p. 181 These islands of green are surrounded by a low stone wall that prevents grazing animals from entering, and each one centers on an Ethiopian Orthodox church. As Dr. Alemayehu Wassie, an Ethiopian expert in the church forests, observes, “These forests are not just good for people, they are also the last shelter for wild animals. In our tradition, the church is like an ark. A shelter for every kind of creature and plant. If a wildcat or little kudu or vervet monkey leaves the church forest, immediately he will be killed. Here the animals are safe.” 5 Remarkable—a modern-day Noah’s ark!
Compare this contemporary example with the prophet Jeremiah’s exhortation to the exiles. The exiles’ situation was bleak. By all appearances the people of Israel had failed to be a blessing to the nations, the mandate given to Abraham’s descendants (Gen 12:1-3). Instead, they found themselves far from home with no visible sign that God was still with them. Into this woeful state of affairs the prophet Jeremiah brings them a word from Yahweh:
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; . . . Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. . . . For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:5-7, 11 NIV)
Do you see it? They are called to be refugia. They are told to dig in and put down roots where they find themselves. They are commanded to work tangibly toward the ecological flourishing of their place. They are to seek not only relational reconciliation with members of the nation that dragged them into exile but also the economic and political health of the city. And they are even called to pray for the spiritual well-being of the Babylonians. This is a comprehensive picture of refugia, something very much like the church forests of Ethiopia.
So back to the original question regarding creation care, “Where do we begin?” I wonder how the notion of being refugia people, a place where all God’s creatures can thrive, might spark imagination for how the Spirit is inviting your community of faith to care for creation. If so, what might that look like in practice? What follows are stories of churches that are doing just that. p. 182
CHURCH-AS-REFUGIA STORIES
Have you ever noticed how much of the biblical story takes place outside? And yet so much of our collective worship is in buildings that, sometimes, lack even windows. I know one urban church that has occasionally spent their Sunday morning service walking together through the large forest park across the street as a way to encounter and connect with their local ecosystem. Similarly, consider the Wild Church movement where people gather outside for worship (sometimes in any weather!). 6 Such experiences can foster an attentiveness to Creator God by cultivating a God-given, childlike amazement and delight at the wonders of creation that so often get forgotten in the midst of twenty-first century life with all its distractions and encumbrances.
Another church has a ministry to support immigrant families as they settle into a new country. As you might expect, church members offer friendship, assistance with transportation, and childcare. They also help with English acquisition and school readiness but they do it by offering environmental education. The sessions introduce newcomers to their place. Together, they learn about local flora (“Blackberries are good to eat!”) and fauna (“The snakes here are not dangerous.”). They explore the local pond and forest (“This is a beautiful, accessible, and safe spot to go for a walk or a picnic.”), and they introduce unfamiliar vegetables and how to cook them (“What is kale? Or summer turnips? Or kohlrabi?”). All this helps both newcomers and locals alike to experience their place, to grow in knowledge and love for it, and to care for it.
Most congregations want to serve and contribute to their community in meaningful ways. I know one church that does this by routinely volunteering, en masse, when the local parks board officials arrange a work day to collect trash at the beach or plant native trees at the river. The church is blessing their region, getting to know their neighbors (both human and nonhuman!), and caring for creation. Moreover, they have proven so faithful that the municipal staff have started to initiate work with the church directly on some projects. What a witness!
Yet another church I have visited is based in a densely populated urban center. They noticed that runoff from their parking lot, polluted with road grime and oil, emptied directly into a fish-bearing stream via the storm drain. This was both a problem and an opportunity. With design expertise from a member of the local streamkeepers group, they made plans to turn one corner of their small property into a “rain garden.” 7 Then, over the course of a few all-ages work bees, members of the church transformed a patch of mostly neglected grass and a couple of adjacent parking stalls. They received a small grant from the municipal government to pay for the supplies, and they enlisted the communications class at the local high p. 183 school to document and film the metamorphosis. As a result, not only is the stream healthier, but relationships within the church and with community stakeholders have been bolstered. Next, they have a desire to share what they have learned with other churches in the region.
Of course, not every church has its own building or property. But the possibilities still abound. For instance, a small group in a church that meets in a public school every week coordinated a tour that allowed church members to visit the backyards and neighborhoods of fellow parishioners. This simple, yet brilliant, idea grew the connections amongst church members as participants got introduced to the passions and projects that animated each other. At each stop on the tour a member would proudly describe their efforts at growing heirloom tomatoes, or using windfall apples to make applesauce, or spending time cleaning up the neighborhood creek. In this way, members' earthkeeping efforts, otherwise unseen, were blessed and celebrated, shared interests were discovered, and everyone was introduced to new nooks and crannies in their community.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
These are just a few examples of local churches finding ways to incorporate the care of creation into the shared life of the congregation. They are refugia—tangible “demonstration plots” of earthkeeping-in-action that incarnate a little taste of God’s kingdom. And even if your situation is not quite the same as any of them, we can glean principles that are both instructive and encouraging.
Cultivate wonder. The first thing I recommend is to cultivate wonder, awe, and gratitude when pressed to respond to the question, “What do you think I should do?” When anyone encounters God’s world in ways that elicit these emotions, then it means there is a real chance to also develop understanding, love, and care.
Get to know your place. As we intentionally foster a sense of wonder for the world around us, we learn more about where we are. Our places matter to God. The watersheds and forests, the parks and gardens, the neighborhoods and neighbors (both humans and other creatures) are the means by which the Spirit ministers to us and the context in which we are called to live, grow, and seek God’s kingdom.
Prayer is key. The possibilities for action are vast and often overwhelming. Will we start a community garden or a bicycle repair depot? Will we adopt a wetland or raise our voices at municipal planning meetings? Which neglected creaturely voice will we elevate? What will our particular ecological charism be? As in all other aspects of discipleship, discernment is necessary and, thus, prayer is vital. What seeds have been p. 184 planted in your imaginations? What is the Spirit already doing amongst your community? How are you being invited to join in?
Begin with the willing and start small. Who is keen to join in right now? In my experience, it is much more fruitful to begin with those already interested or engaged rather than focus on converting the skeptical or reluctant. In what ways can we be refugia even if the “green team” has only three members (“Let’s take it upon ourselves to wash mugs rather than relying on disposables”)? Especially when starting out, small steps actively pursued are much better than grand plans that stall out. The seemingly small action of a committed few can both inspire others and identify those with similar passions.
Cast a wide(r) vision. Caring for creation is, undoubtedly, an act of obedience, but it is far more than that. Energy-efficient appliances, sustainably sourced coffee, or diverting waste from landfills by composting are all worthwhile and necessary. But they become so much more when we understand our modest contributions to be part of a bigger picture. The original human vocation is to care for the garden that is God’s world, and therefore we cannot flourish fully without embracing this calling. When I glimpse the ways that the Spirit uses humble earthkeeping practices as part of my own spiritual formation, then they become less a duty and more a spiritual discipline. When I grasp how my actions contribute to the health and well-being of so many other people, then my loaves and fishes, however mundane and seemingly insignificant, become an offering for God to multiply. And when I recognize God’s Spirit as the Lord and Giver of all life, then considering the least bird or flower is a way to worship the one who creates and sustains all things (Col 1:15-20).
Be patient. As disciples, our primary job is to respond to God’s invitation to be refugia with faithfulness and obedience. And yet, so often we long for our efforts to actually solve real problems. We want to “make a tangible difference.” Hence, the genius of the Spirit working through local churches. Collective action at this scale can yield demonstrable change in the lives of neighbors and our neighborhoods without getting bogged down in bureaucracies. Nevertheless, major transformations are usually the product of long-term commitment or the participation of many people. Both take time to cultivate.
Partner for more Impact. A way to leverage efforts is to partner with others toward common goals. One reason practical earthkeeping projects have so much potential is because they are focused on concerns we share with our neighbors. Everyone loves their local lake or beach or forest. Everyone cares about what they eat. Pollution in water or air or soil matters to everyone. Plenty of non-Christian groups exist that are working toward these kingdom ends, whether they would call it that or not. So when we p. 185 volunteer with the local fish hatchery or wetland conservation group, we not only learn from their conservation expertise, but we also get to know them, encourage them, and bless them.
Work through existing programs (rather than adding new ones). Frequently I sense deflation in the voices of church staff as they consider the challenge of adding yet another program to an already overloaded to-do list. Our limitations are real and significant. But what if we could see the opportunity to incorporate the care of God’s world into all the programs we are already doing? We can highlight the goodness of creation in liturgy, song, and sermon. 8 We can lament over and pray for damaged ecosystems that we know and love. We can welcome hurting and suffering people into the healing work of gardening or the delight of tasty, nutrient-dense food. We can encourage, bless, and even commission fellow parishioners whose professional lives are devoted to farming, hydrology, wildlife parks, or water-efficient plumbing. We can engage the angst and anxiety of young people by introducing them to the marvels of local natural history as well as hands-on conservation projects.
You are not alone. And in all of these efforts, know that you are not alone. Though being a creation care champion in one’s local church can sometimes bring to mind Elijah’s lament at being the last prophet in Israel, the reality is we are part of a great throng of God’s people who love what God loves and seek the restoration of all things. In these efforts A Rocha is here to help. We can guide and equip you in your efforts to care for creation at church, and we can connect you with others that share your passions and interests and struggles.
Ultimately, the care of creation is part of God’s mission. We, as God’s image bearers, are invited to join the Spirit’s work of bringing life to all creation, to live and worship in ways that create places of refuge and flourishing. As we respond to this invitation, may we gain a sense of our original human vocation, and feel Jesus’ smile, the one who was once “mistaken” for a gardener (John 20:15-16).
NOTES
- I am referring to someone who is already persuaded that (a) caring for creation is part of biblical discipleship, (b) creatures (human and nonhuman) are groaning because of ecological degradation, and (c) creation care is both a need and an opportunity for Christ followers. Defending these claims is beyond the scope of this article, but many good resources exist. For instance, p. 186 a good place to start is Dave Bookless’s Planetwise: Dare to Care for God’s World (Nottingham: IVP, 2008).
- A Rocha is a biodiversity conservation organization with operations in over twenty countries around the world, including Canada and the U.S. We are motivated by our faith in Jesus to study endangered species and restore damaged habitats so that all God’s creatures can thrive. We pursue these ends in many different ways, but our efforts include coming alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ to equip and encourage them to join the Spirit’s work of reconciling and restoring all things by investing in their local places. See https://arocha.ca/.
- Debra Rienstra, Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2022).
- Fred Bahnson, “The Church Forests of Ethiopia: A Mystical Geography,” Emergence Magazine, 11 January 2020, https://emergencemagazine.org/feature/the-church-forests-of-ethiopia/.
- Bahnson.
- https://www.wildchurchnetwork.com. There is even Hazelnut Community Farm, a church structured around an urban garden, https://hazelnutcommunityfarm.com.
- For helpful images and descriptions of rain gardens, see https://groundwater.org/rain-gardens and https://cougarcreekstreamkeepers.ca/rain-gardens.
- The Season of Creation (seasonofcreation.org) is an excellent resource.
