Caring For Creation -- MIF Green Resources
As Christians, we are called to care for God’s creation. As an organization that specializes in church building projects, the Mission Investment Fund is committed to helping build churches that incorporate sustainable features that will reduce their impact on the environment. In addition, investments in more earth-friendly and energy-efficient facilities will pay for themselves in energy savings. Such improvements also provide an immediate return in building reliability and improve the comfort and health of a church’s occupants.
The Mission Investment Fund provides a number of green services to help congregations care for creation, including:
Loans and Grants
Our loans have been used by ELCA congregations to make their church buildings more energy efficient and earth friendly. The MIF Endowment Grant may also be used for green capital building initiatives.
Read about how one resourceful congregation has "gone green"—with a Mission Investment Fund loan. Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, installed a geothermal heating and air conditioning system that has not only proven to be economical and ecologically progressive, it's become a source of inspiration to other churches and organizations in the area.
Energy Audit Assistance
Our LEED-accredited and/or trained church building consultants are available to assist your congregation with a basic energy audit, energy saving tips and earth-friendly building and maintenance practices and procedures.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system intended to improve metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources as well as sensitivity to their impacts. LEED-accredited professionals have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles, LEED requirements, resources and processes. The Mission Investment Fund is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which developed LEED.
Here are resources that will be helpful to congregations and ELCA-related ministries as they explore ways to be more energy efficient and earth friendly.
Local Light Bulb Recycling
The Environmental Protection Agency directs consumers to local sources and mail-back services for recycling compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs).
MIF, ELCA and Interfaith Creation Care Resources
Learn about resources developed by Mission Investment Fund and other ministries of the ELCA and other faith-based organizations to protect and restore God’s Creation.
Energy Conservation
Information on energy savings strategies and products as well as renewable energy incentives and green power purchasing.
Clean and Renewable Energy
Information on clean and renewable energy including ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
Green Building Best Practices
Information on green building best practices including the LEED rating system, whole building design, sustainable historic preservation, product information, and green project examples.
Alternative Building Systems
Information on energy and/or material efficient construction systems, modular construction, and other emerging technologies.
Sustainable Sites
Information on site selection and protection, maintenance practices and habitat preservation.
Water
Information on storm water management and water conservation strategies.
Everyday Living
Information on creation care at home and work.