Adult Resources: Evangelical Environmental Network

Adult Education Resources and Suggestions

Creation Sunday

Adult Education within a church community is a key component of healthy growth and leadership. It is the responsibility of adult leaders of all ages to encourage members of their church communities to challenge their personal faith and the direction of the church itself. The resources and ideas found on this page are intended to give adults a starting place to develop creation care as a component of personal faith and church growth. Creation Sunday is a great day to get a jump start on integrating this ministry into your regular activities and education opportunities.

As Christians we believe that there is hope. We have hope in Jesus Christ as our spiritual solution to our temptation to overconsume, because his grace is sufficient to sustain us through each day. We have hope that God's Spirit is working through humanity to devise and implement more creation-friendly ways to produce the goods andservices we need through such technologies as electricity produced from the wind and the sun instead of by burning coal. We believe that God in Jesus is deeply interested in healing and forgiving our broken relationships. We also believe that God is calling us to more fully recognize our relationship with, and responsibility for, creation. Evangelical Christians have been addressing these issues for years.

Organization of Resources

The first two sections are for those of you interested in educational opportunities in a Sunday School program, evening study group, and so on. (Please note that any of these resources are appropriate for individuals and/or groups.) The resources are divided into those you can do in one week/session and those best suited for multiple weeks.

The third section is Recommended Church Resources which highlights resources that could easily be adapted for Adult Education use.

Resources for a one-time event

Earth-Wise: A Biblical Response to Environmental Issues - By Calvin De Witt
A relatively short and well done introduction to environmental concern from a Christian perspective. At the end of each of the six chapters, Dr. DeWitt includes discussion questions and activities. CRC publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1-800-333-8300.

EEN’s Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation and the companion book. Our Evangelical Declaration is an excellent resource that could serve as a springboard to discussion. A book of essays commenting on the Evangelical Declaration has been published by IVP. Contributors include Jurgen Moltmann, Alistar McGrath, I. Howard Marshall, Howard J. Van Till, Loren Wilkinson, Cal DeWitt, and Ron Sider. To order go to http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=1556.

Global Warming: A Guide for Christians - By The Christian Environmental Council and the Evangelical Environmental Network
Meant to introduceevangelical Christians to this important issue. This study guide is suitable for a one to two week session. It includes practical suggestions as to how you can address this problem.

Affluenza: The Cost of High Living (one or two weeks)
This is an excellent video -- lively, engaging, and humorous, it highlights environmental, social, community, and spiritual costs of consumption. A significant portion of Affluenza focuses on a Christian response to over-consumerism. About an hour long, the video comes with a guide for group discussion. To order call (800) 937-5387; produced by public TV station KCTS in Seattle.

Keeping the Earth: Religious and Scientific Perspectives on the Environment (one week)
An excellent introductory video. This inspirational video, with accompanying study guide, features prominent scientists and religious leaders who share their perspectives on the need to protect the environment and the diverse species that share it. To order call (617) 547-5552; produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Creation Care Magazine
Filled with devotional articles and articles on issues, EEN’s magazine has plenty of resources that could be adapted to use in an Adult Education setting.

Resources for anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks

Earth-Wise: A Biblical Response to Environmental Issues
A very accessible, relatively short and well done introduction to environmental concern from a Christian perspective. DeWitt's book is six chapters long; depending on your time and interest, this study could last 3-6 weeks. Each chapter includes discussion questions and activities. Published by CRC publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1-800-333-8300.

Environmental Stewardship (one of the Global Issues Bible Studies series)
This thought-provoking, six-week Bible study (for individuals or groups) looks at the Genesis creation account, God's relationship with the natural world, gardening, and the significance of Jesus's death and resurrection to the creation. Published by InterVarsity Press, 1990.

Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective
This best-selling book provides an excellent anthology and study guide for individuals or groups. Contributing authors include Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, Calvin DeWitt, Wendell Berry, and Cecile Andrews. Topics covered include time, money, global economics and justice, food choices, and theology. The community building study guide can function as a four, six, eight, or twelve-week group experience. To order call your local bookstore or 1-800-824-1813; published (1999) by Living the Good News of The Morehouse Group.

For God So Loves the World: Peacemaking and the Care of God's Creation
This six-session adult resource is based on selected biblical passages - from the prophets, the Psalms, and the parables and teachings of Jesus - on the care of creation. The session titles summarize the movement of the course: "God Creates," and moves through "God Reveals," "God Gives Freedom," "God Mourns the Brokenness," and "God Offers Rest and Peace"; the study concludes with "God Redeems." To order call (800) 524-2612; $1.45 (Catalog # PDS70-270-97-001); produced by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

Love the Earth and Be Healed
This six session video series examines a real-life case study and includes reflections from some of the most articulate voices within the wider church community: Sallie McFague, John Cobb, Cal DeWitt, and Jay McDaniel. Each video lasts approximately 25 minutes. To order call (800) 967-0880; produced by the United Methodist Church.

Food, Faith and Sustainability: Environmental, Spiritual, Community and Social Justice Implications of the Gift of Daily Bread
Food, Faith and Sustainability is an excellent resource for groups and individuals interested in learning more about how everyday food choices are connected to Christian faith as well as environmental health. With an emphasis on supporting local agriculture, the resource has a "Healthy Shopper's Resource Guide," a five-week study guide, helpful articles, and many ideas for connecting faith with our food choices. Published by Earth Ministry (1997); to Order Call 206-632-2426. Suggested donation $10.

Recommended Church Resources

Let the Earth Be Glad: An Evangelical Kit for Caring for Creation
The kit contains the following resources for Evangelical congregations:

Biblical Roots: Theological Foundations for Caring for God's Creation and a Pastor's Sermon Writing Kit;
Seeds of Worship: Tools for Worshipping the Creator through God's Handiwork - hymns, prayers, and responsive readings;
Fruits of Creation: The Provisions and Abuses of God's Good Creation - resources for practicing good stewardship on church properties; and
Supporting Branches - provides a basic Evangelical declaration on the care of creation.

To order call (800) 650-6600; $10, includes shipping. Published by the Evangelical Environmental Network and World Vision (1994).

Your Church Outdoors: Idea Pack
Published by the Evangelical Environmental Network, this kit is designed to provide a framework for developing a church outing. The kit includes devotional ideas for adults, children's activities, tips for leaders, and sample outing ideas. Something as simple as getting outside with your church, and providing for an educational and worship experience in the outdoors can be very powerful.

Eco-Church: An Action Manual
In the authors' words:

"Step-by-step, [we] move you through a clear and simple process. First, you audit your facility by asking questions. Next, you consider the ways worship can strengthen and enhance your environmental consciousness ... From there you ask members to evaluate their personal lifestyles, and finally devise a plan of action that extends from your community to the larger world. Numerous resources are woven through the process: from groups that offer professional audits to specialized retreats on environmental concerns."

To order call (408) 286-8505; $14.95. Published by Resource Publications, Inc. (1992).

The Lord's House: A Guide to Creation Careful Management of Church Facilities
Practical advice on energy efficiency, landscaping and church grounds, and new purchases. Available from EEN for $5.00. Call 1-800-650-6600 or email een@creationcare.org. Written by Fred Krueger.

Guide to Resource Efficient Church Buildings
This book contains practical suggestions and resources for constructing and retrofitting church buildings with materials that minimize negative environmental impact. Published by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in cooperation with the Center for Resourceful Building Technology. To order call (800) 762-0968 (Order No. EJ9204).