Leadership Journal

Churches are talking trash. No, not badmouthing other congregations, they're examining ways to reduce the waste they produce. Earth care is in vogue, and many Christians, believing that stewarding creation is a spiritual mandate, are looking to mesh environmentalism with their faith.

One leader in the movement is Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland: A Church Distributed, out of Longwood, Florida. Hunter hopes addressing environmental concerns will lead to increased opportunities for faith conversations. He calls creation care a "bridge issue" that unites people across religious and philosophical lines.

Northland, which is building a new 3,300-seat sanctuary, wants to reduce its carbon footprint. Northland distributed to its members a list of nine ways to care for creation, which include using energy-saving light bulbs, adjusting thermostats and fans, correctly insulating the church building, and recycling.

The church has employed Raymond Randall, a worship attender who works as a waste-management consultant. Randall and Creation Care Task Force volunteers donned biohazard suits to study Northland's waste composition.

"If we want to reduce the amount of waste that the church generates, we have to look at what's in the waste. There's really only one way to do that—get our hands dirty!" Randall said. "Once you know what types of waste you're generating and where, you can develop effective programs to reduce that waste or implement recycling programs. In addition you can begin purchasing products that are more recyclable or made with recycled content."

Hunter says pastors can lead effectively as Christians get involved in environmental issues.

"It's pastors who have the opportunity to make a significant impact," he wrote in Outreach magazine. "And it's the pastor who takes the lead in mobilizing his or her congregation to care for matters outside the church—issues that non-Christians also care about. Let's face it, they're not expecting the church to be concerned about the environment, much less take visible action. When we surprise them, often they take notice—of our church, and ultimately, of Christ."

Creation care is a newly discovered opportunity for outreach and evangelism. But Northland's waste-management study is having other noticeable effects. One church member, Denise Kirsop, traded in her car for a hybrid Toyota Prius, proving that being eco-friendly is not just for actors and rock stars. It can also be for the Christian—or the church—next door.