“The good work of feeding the hungry, healing the sick, caring for the stranger, and announcing good news to the poor and oppressed depends on a healthy planet. If we claim to be Christ’s church, we can do no other than to make our stand with God’s planet, God’s people and God’s creatures, so help us God.”
This statement by the Rev. Baird Linke, a young adult who is pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bonner, Mont., and a board member of Lutherans Restoring Creation, expresses the faith and passion of many young adults in the ELCA. They want to be part of a church that cares for God’s creation through stewardship and courageous action. I do too. Our social teaching spells out this responsibility beautifully: “Humans, in service to God, have special roles on behalf of the whole of creation. Made in the image of God, we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth” (ELCA social statement, Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice, 1993, p. 2).
Ten years ago, the ELCA expressed its support for the Paris Agreement, an ambitious global covenant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage development of low-carbon technologies, and support the ability of countries to cope with the effects of a changing climate, building resiliency for a sustainable future. World leaders meeting now in Belém, in Brazil's Amazon, are called to take concrete steps to keep that covenant. Lutheran leaders are also there, witnessing to the urgency and possibility of this moment.
A decade later, we face a kairos moment. Jesus used the word “kairos” to communicate both crisis and hope when reading the signs of the times. The signs today tell us that the nations, including our own, have not achieved ambitious targets to blunt climate impacts that are driving increased conflict, hunger and migration. The signs may include climate anxiety and grief. But these signs also stir us, as God’s beloved, to continued hopeful witness and action.
It is not too late to protect our climate. With God, it is never too late. “Kairos” means that this is an opportune and urgent time to address earth’s climate crisis. I am calling this church to be more connected and sustainable. This includes stewarding God’s creation as an expression of faith and seeking sustainability rooted in ways of living that honor everything God has called “good,” including learning from and following the leadership of Indigenous communities. I commend to you the social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis.”
Nov. 11 marked the baptismal anniversary of Martin Luther, whose life and legacy witness to God’s renewing action. God promises a renewed earth. We live and serve God’s renewing purposes. We have the resources and responsibility to act together for the common good, especially alongside those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Connected in Christ, we pray, Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us coworkers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (“Prayer for Stewardship of Natural Resources,” ELW, p. 80)
In Christ,
The Rev. Yehiel Curry
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.7 million members in more than 8,400 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
