Top 5 Ways Evangelical Leaders Care for Creation
The NAE president shares his survey results.
1. Recycle
Recycling paper, plastics, glass, and cans was virtually universal. It has become the norm in American society. Beyond the usual, some evangelical leaders are reusing sump water for irrigation, collecting rain water for home use, and composting.
2. Reduce use of energy for transportation
The predictable reductions include consolidating trips, driving fuel-efficient vehicles, and checking tire pressure. Others involve walking to work, driving a motor scooter, taking public transportation, and downsizing to one family car.
3. Encouraging others to take care of the environment
Pastors preach on creation care stewardship from Genesis and provide study material for small groups. Denominational leaders publish articles in their magazines and provide resources to their congregations. Many are very deliberate about teaching their children to take care of God's creation.
4. Pick up after others
Since Bible-believing Christians care about the misbehavior of others, some denominational executives and organizational heads pick up their neighborhood litter and look for other ways to mitigate the actions of those who aren't caring for creation.
5. Conserve water and electricity
There's a long list of conservation strategies, like using programmable thermostats and efficient shower heads, planting a home vegetable garden, adding insulation to homes and church buildings, signing up for peak-hour electricity curtailment programs, and opting for solar and wind power.
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Comments
I really found this interesting. Creation care is something that I am thrilled to see emerging in the church in a non-politicized way -- presented in a biblical framework. I'm still improving on all of my efforts to go green, but I know I've gotten better.
I'm looking forward to a book coming out on April 1 by Nancy Sleeth. It's called, Go Green Save Green. Her husband wrote another book, Serve God Save the Planet, which is what actually got me started on these efforts.
The website says Nancy's book has "Hundreds of simple, easy-to-implement money-saving tips for going green at home and at the office." I found it at www.gogreenthebook.com, so I'm trying to tell everyone about it. Her husband's book really changed my life.
I'll be checking your blog again. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Sandra Oates | March 12, 2009 12:59 PM
1) We have converted all fluorescent lighting to T8 low energy, and compact CFL's for lamps
2) We have reduced the thermostat temperature settings to 71 in the sanctuary (it takes about 5 hours to reach that temp with a 5.6 gal oil per hour steam boiler system) and 69 in other areas when they are occupied, and 55 degree at all other times.
3) We gave up on programmable thermostats since we are too busy and too spontaneous, but we check all 8 thermostats at 7 AM Mon - thru Fri, 8 AM Sat and 7 ish AM Sunday.
4) We replaced 70% of our very old storm windows covering our stained glass and double hung windows with new, modern ones last year.
5) We recycle cardboard and office paper, some plastic and glass
6) We have a high tech energy star Xerox color copy machine
7) We are archiving and cataloguing Bible Studies for future use by different Church leader/teachers.
Posted by: Lee Brewer | March 12, 2009 1:22 PM