There's great buzz right now over recent research -- conducted by the Barna Group -- as to why so many North American teens and young adults choose to leave their churches.  The study focused on young people who had been regular in their church (Christian) attendance until the age of 15, at which point they left church (either permanently or for an extended period of time).  The research revealed six pervasive, response "themes" -- six reasons for why so many young people are leaving church.

Some of the reasons included the perception of Christianity as "too shallow" (i.e., "boring" and "not relevant"), "ignoring the problems of the real world," and "anti-science."*  This study is of great relevance because I believe that the more we engage in creation-care ministries, the more "relevant," less "boring," more caring of "the problems of the real world," more broad-minded/hearted we really become.  Perhaps some of our younger people will want to stick around if they can perceive this reality; perhaps new folks will come as well! 

John Hodges-Batzka of The UMC's Young People's Ministries has just offered an excellent presentation title, "Involving Young people in the Church Through Environmental Care"; if you and/or your church are interested in the intersection of creation-care and young-adult ministries, I encourage you to read his detailed, well-researched presentation.  And I encourage you to read the rest of this issue to get a taste of the hope that this intersection can bring to us all.

John Hodges-Batzka   
Program Assistant, Young Peoples Ministries (UMC-GBCS)

"Young adults are looking for churches where they do not have to choose between working in God's salvation of individuals, or working in God's salvation of creation;
a mature disciple will be able to do both . . . If we are truly worried about the salvation of our young people, we must be able to teach them a holistic salvation which contains our love of neighbor and our love of the creation in which they rest, not a narrow one that only cares
about going to heaven."

(Source: "Caring for Creation with Young Adults Resources")

 NEW INITIATIVE:
"Climate-Justice Ministry" Designation

A project of the PNW Conference  

"Climate Justice Ministry" Icon

 

Action 

Please LET US KNOW if your congregation/ministry has already measured its "carbon footprint" or plans to do so in the coming year.

   

Background
As described in our last issue of Creation-Care, 365: the PNW Office of Connectional Ministries would like to recognize and announce those churches/agencies that are working to understand and reduce their "carbon footprints."  We will do so -- on our online church/ministry directory  and at Annual Conference 2013 -- by designating such ministries with the "Climate Justice Ministry" icon that appears to the right.    

 

As church-seekers browse our online, PNW Church & Ministry Directory, they will be able to look for church according to this designation -- they'll be able to match their creation-caring values with the life of your ministry.  If your  congregation/ministry has already measured its "carbon footprint" and taken steps to reduce it, please contact Tanya Barnett so that we can give you this designation.  

 

If your congregation/ministry would like to receive this "Climate Justice Ministry" designation, please follow these steps:  

1. Please visit the UMW's Carbon Footprint Toolkit and read "What is a 'carbon footprint?'" and "Why is it important to reduce our carbon footprint?"
2. Calculate your congregation/ministry's carbon footprint by using Interfaith Power & Light's "Congregational Calculator" at  www.coolcongregations.org.
3. Based on these calculations, identify at least 3 priority actions for reducing your congregation/ministry's carbon footprint.
4. Develop and enact an action plan for addressing these 3 priority actions - please contact Tanya Barnett if you would like help with this step.
5. Prior to Annual Conference 2013, report your church's progress to Tanya Barnett

Throughout the 2012-2013 year, all churches and ministries that make reasonable progress toward addressing their 3 priority actions will:

• Receive the "Climate Justice Ministry" designation (pictured above) in our PNW Church & Ministry Directory  
• Receive special recognition at Annual Conference 2013

If you'd like to learn more, please contact Tanya Barnett, Creation-Care Projects Coordinator, PNW Office of Connectional Ministries at tbarnett@pnwumc.org.  

Thanks, and blessings on your ministry.

 

A Hopeful Earth: Faith, Science, and the Message of Jesus
New book and leaders' guide by Bishop Sally Dyck and Sarak Ehrman

Description from Abingdon Press:
"The environment is God's creation and Christians should be at the front of the crowd when it comes to taking care of it. Yet we find ourselves in a creation crisis.  

"A Hopeful Earth, a unique study, draws together the Christian faith of Bishop Sally Dyck and the scientific world of her niece, Sarah Ehrman, to address this crisis. As these two dialogue, readers will find that these sometimes differing worldviews are both crucial to making lasting changes. They'll also discover how the church can reach out to the younger generation by joining them in the race to save the planet.  

"A Hopeful Earth will bridge the gap between Jesus and the environment and guide readers in understanding that living as good stewards of God's creation is a significant component of what it means to follow Jesus."