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From a biblical perspective, "the environment" is God’s creation. Creation care does not just mean caring for "nature," apart from humanity. It means caring for the entire creation: the environment and "all creatures great and small" including humanity. If the Bible teaches us that Jesus has created the universe, gives it life and sustains it, and has reconciled everything to God, then our actions should participate in Jesus' creating, sustaining, reconciling and restoring work. The world is watching how we regard the earth and making judgments regarding Jesus accordingly. What are we showing them?
Why take care of the environment?
Because it is and has always been the first job God gave us. Genesis 2:15 states God's first purpose for man: "The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." We are the stewards of his creation and it is our duty to care for it. That care extends beyond just taking care of the land. We are to care for all of creation - earth, seas, plants, animals, and humanity.
Is this Eco thing just a trend?
Sustainability is not some trendy concept. It is deeply embedded
in the the Scriptures... in the life of the community of faith. It may be
fashionable for some to go green, but the reality is that creation is groaning.
It is overburdened and abused by the heavy demands we constantly put on it.
The work that must be done to return the earth to a healthy state is large
scale and long term. The good news is that it is work we can all start right
at home and in our own neighborhoods. Read our list
of ways you can start making an impact now for ideas on the things you
can do that will lead to a bigger impact.
What does this really have to do with me?
In his book The Anxiety Cure Archibald Hart sums it up, "Humans were designed for camel travel, but most people are now acting like supersonic jets. in a nutshell, most of us are living at too fast a pace... The pace of modern life is stretching all of us beyond our limits. And we are paying for this abuse in the hard and painful currency of stress and anxiety." Technology and progress have the potential to lead you to greater awe of God or it can lead you to be more selfish and self-centered and unconcerned with the world around you. All of our progress and technology can cut us off from the true cost of things. That doesn't mean we should not enjoy the world we live in, but we must be careful to balance our progress with rest and consideration for things outside ourselves.
In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus says, "Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." A way to love your neighbors here and across the globe is to consume less so there will be more for all.
"For you have been called to live in freedom - not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love." - Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
Why is this a Mission?
Like with our local and overseas Missions programs, Mission: Creation Care is and ongoing part of Gulf Gate Church. We see Creation Care as a mandatory part of how God calls us to live our lives. Simple steps, like recycling, have already begun at the church and among our attenders. We plan on continuing to develop our level of stewardship so that Creation Care extends fully into people's homes, neighborhoods and the broader community.
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