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‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be a manager any longer.’ Luke 16 verse 2. Care of Creation…. Demand. Difference. Connection. Care of Creation…. Connection…. We are connected as human beings to the rest of creation:
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‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be a manager any longer.’ Luke 16 verse 2
Demand Difference Connection Care of Creation…
Connection… • We are connected as human beings to the rest of creation: Genesis 1 – Creation Story Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them;male and female he created them.
Connection… • We are connected as human beings to the rest of creation: Our ‘Original Sin’ leads to a curse upon the ground – Genesis 3: 17-18 “Cursed is the ground because of you;through painful toil you will eat food from itall the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.”
Connection… • We are connected as human beings to the rest of creation: It is out of God’s love for the cosmos that Christ is sent to save us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16
Connection… • We are connected as human beings to the rest of creation: • It is creation that knows (when sometimes we don’t about this relationship. “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” Romans 8: 19
Demand… • Our Human sinfulness leads us to demand much more than our daily bread. Adam and Eve’s failure to accept limits on their consumption in Genesis 3 “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened.” Genesis 3: 6-7
Demand… • Our Human sinfulness leads us to demand much more than our daily bread. We are so easily seduced by what other’s have! When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ Matthew 20: 11-12
Demand… • Our Human sinfulness leads us to demand much more than our daily bread. Jesus teaches us about what we need not what we want. “Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6: 11
Difference… • Through our service and care for creation, we can make a significant difference. The smallest contribution is spiritually significant. As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21: 1-4
Difference… • Through our service and care for creation, we can make a significant difference. Our focus needs to be on our service to God. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” Ephesians 6: 7
Difference… • Through our service and care for creation, we can make a significant difference. In the face of adversity and trial we are encouraged to persevere. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6: 9
So what’s the role for? The ‘Care of Creation Champion’ role has been formed to help develop and assist the Diocesan Environment Group in inspiring and encouraging God’s people to engage with caring for creation.
What might it involve? Providing your congregation with information about environmental issues. Raising environmental concerns with church leadership. Encouraging people in the congregation to engage with energy usage, such as providing ‘switch it off’ information. Connecting your church with the Eight Essential Qualities by developing an audit of worship/buildings and churchyard focused on the care of creation. Developing a project in your local context that engages with an environmental issue.
How will I be supported in this role? Part of our commitment to this role is by providing support, ongoing training opportunities and information that will enable you to feel part of a team, rather than an isolated campaigner! We will provide: Training opportunities for your role. Two opportunities each year to meet with others and share stories/good practice. A ‘one-stop-shop’ website that is crammed full of resources to support you in your role. An opportunity to participate in a national campaign.
What skills will I need? A heart for the care of creation…that’s it!
Confession: Stewardship of creation All: Holy God, Creator and Lover of all that is, we confess to you that we have sinned. We have failed in our care for the land and its creatures, we have been greedy, destructive, and wasteful of the resources you entrusted to us. Polluted air and water, eroded soil and salty earth, birds and animals deprived of habitat, and neighbours left hungry and thirsty by our selfishness: all these cry out against us.
Confession: Stewardship of creation We do not know how to restore what we have damaged, and we repent in sorrow. Forgive us, we pray, and have mercy. Give us grace to change our ways, to make amends, and to work together for the healing of the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession: Stewardship of creation Our Saviour died and rose again so that for all who live in him there is a new creation. ALL: Send out your Spirit, O Lord. Renew the hearts of your people. Renew the face of the earth.
