Investigating Christian Environmental Ethics & Promoting Environmental Care in the Holsten Conference of the United States Methodist Church

Abstract

I. ABSTRACT Increasingly Christians are expressing the need to be better environmental stewards. The United Methodist Church (UMC) has written numerous statements that charge individuals, congregations, and broader ministries with the responsibility to take better care of the environment. One of those broader ministries, the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), oversees policies pertaining to the natural world. Stewardship of the natural world, also known as “creation care”, is one of six social principles emphasized by the Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions (others include the nurturing, social, economic, political, and world communities). Environmental statements, however, have been slow to filter down through the UMC. At the request of collaboration with the GBCS and the Holston Conference, our research aimed to determine how the faith of United Methodists affects their environmental concern and what creation care programs should be developed and implemented. We conducted research in twenty-four Holston Conference churches (located in eastern TN and southwestern VA) to determine how United Methodists connect their faith with environmental concern. Using a combination of surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we assessed the environmental theologies, attitudes, program interests, and behaviors of lay members, pastors, and seminary students. Analysis of 302 lay member surveys showed high interest in nature-based and environmental impact programs, but with activism and educational programs scoring the lowest. Program interests were strongly associated with an environmental justice ethic, secular environmental influences, perceived fragility of the environment, belief that the UMC should be more environmentally responsible, and perceived benefits from environmental programs. Most believed that the environment is fragile and humans are causing significant harm. Barriers toward starting an environmental program were perceived as minor. In terms of environmental behavior, efficiency behaviors such as saving energy and water were practiced more frequently than activism behaviors, such as volunteering or considering the environment when voting. This difference was much less for people with pro-environmental attitudes, and for those with orientations toward environmental justice and liberal politics. Finally, there was a surplus of potential leaders in the Holston Conference, with 38% of respondents saying they might lead or co-lead an environmental program. Many seminary students expressed interest in developing additional competence to engage environmental issues in their careers. Survey data and comments made during focus groups and interviews suggest that members would like to be more familiar with UMC environmental principles and with environmental issues in general. Emphasizing a biblical environmental justice perspective should also be a priority. We conclude that programs that directly reduce the environmental impact of the church or encourage its members to do so will have wide appeal and little opposition. While some skepticism exists, reframing creation care as service to God and other humans should soothe these tensions. Encouraging and training lay members and seminary students to be future leaders will help foster environmental concern in the Holston Conference and the UMC as a whole.