Category: Pondering Peace
Faith Leadership during Climate Change
It’s easy these days to be a bit overwhelmed by all that is happening. There are so many immediately threatening concerns that grab our attention and call for action. The threats to democracy grow as this administration exerts its power in ignoring court orders, bypassing due process, attacking free speech and academic freedom, and threatening aggressive action towards those asserting their right to peaceful assembly and protest. Immigrants with no criminal record who have been living among us as neighbors and contributing to our economy are being detained and deported, and their families torn apart. The House has passed a budget bill that, if passed by the Senate, will greatly benefit the most wealthy in tax cuts while hurting our poorest citizens by decreasing funds for Medicaid and food assistance. Millions of people have been flooding the streets in protest, and probably many of us have been among them.
Meanwhile, always lurking in the background is the growing threat of climate disruption. With so many immediate political threats as well as congregational worries about the church’s decline, it may be hard to think about or keep in focus needed action on climate change. Yet every year, the average global temperature gets hotter as fossil fuel usage continues, carbon emissions keep rising, and scientists more urgently warn us that we need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the next few years if we are going to avoid the worst effects of climate change and turn the tide for a better future.
With the federal government controlled by an administration that is doing everything in its power to increase fossil fuel usage and decrease clean energy development and pollution regulations, climate action is being left to states, businesses, and local communities and their citizens. This administration is derelict in its responsibility to address the climate crisis and protect us from intensified weather disasters, making it urgent that others do what they can. Climate scientists tell us that we already have solutions to significantly impact climate change, but so far we do not have sufficient public, moral, or spiritual will to do what it takes.
And yes, this is a spiritual issue, although some have made it a political issue for their financial and political benefit. People of faith, churches, and their pastors need to view effective climate action as an important part of their discipleship and calling. Caring for creation through climate action is how we can demonstrate our love for the Creator who lovingly fashioned this wondrous world. It is also how we love our neighbor and care for those most vulnerable and in need. Climate change increasingly effects health and the availability of food and water. Its impacts and weather disasters increase refugees and conflict over limited resources. And for a younger generation whose future is at risk, climate action is essential for the credibility and relevance of the church. The climate crisis has generated deep despair and spiritual questioning among many.
It is true that many churches are declining, and ministers do not have as much cultural influence as in past years. However, ministers do have significant influence on their congregations. A recent study affirmed this influence and also found that 90% of pastors believe in the reality of human-caused climate change but only a quarter of them have talked about it more than once or twice. This leaves the impression that it is not an issue of importance to people of faith. In a study of youth, one thing they were most disappointed about was how adults were not responding to climate change. They would certainly get this impression in a church that doesn’t even talk about it.
Why aren’t pastors talking about climate change when most believe in its reality? Maybe some are afraid of conflict in congregations that are politically divided. In reality, all of us need a stable climate and healthy earth so climate change should not be a political issue, and yet it has been made so. Maybe in light of misinformation and public disagreement about the issue, pastors don’t feel comfortable with their level of knowledge about climate change and are concerned that if they bring it up they will not be prepared to respond to the challenges. It may seem safer to just not talk about it. With so many other congregational concerns and national issues, perhaps it has simply just taken a back seat and is not considered a priority.
As I have taken the time to learn about climate change and now understand how to connect the dots between climate change and the intensified weather disasters being experienced, I have found my sense of urgency increasing, along with growing confidence to talk about it. As I consider our situation in light of our sacred Scriptures and Christian theology, the imperative to address climate change has become stronger. And as I reflect on pastoral ministry in light of climate change, I have realized that it has implications for every aspect of ministry.
As we increasingly experience the impacts of climate change and become aware of the threat it carries for human and planetary wellbeing, this new context for ministry brings new challenges for faith leaders and ministers. Once its urgency is understood, it results in new priorities and actions. It raises significant theological and ethical questions. It calls for leadership and preaching that help congregations rise to their calling to care for creation. It involves new forms of pastoral care for those experiencing climate anxiety and grief. It also requires new forms of ministry and missional engagement that are relevant to the needs of this unique time in history. It involves recognizing that faith leaders and congregations can be important in helping to build the spiritual and public will that is needed to enact the impactful solutions for climate change that are available. And it invites us to a deeper spirituality that is equal to the challenges of this day.
In light of this, the Buttry Center will be offering a continuing education series this fall especially for pastors, ministers, and other faith leaders that will explore the many dimensions of faith leadership in the context of climate change. Entitled “Faith Leadership during Climate Change,” this series will be offered on zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday mornings of September – November. Each session will include an hour of content presentation and half an hour for discussion. Presenters include climate scientist Dr. Leigh Sterns, theologian Dr. Greg Hunt, homiletics and worship professor Dr. Leah Schade, theologian and ecospirituality author Dr. Rachel Wheeler, founder of Brugmansia Ministries Josh Richardson, and myself as a pastoral theologian.
Participants are asked to plan to attend all six sessions in hopes that a cohort of support will be developed, although there will be some flexibility in light of the demands of ministry. There will be no fee for participants, as a Climate Science in Theological Education grant will cover all costs. Since this grant ends at the end of this year, it is anticipated that this will be the only time this series will be offered without cost. Faith leaders are encouraged to register early so as to reserve their place. There is more information about session topics and presenters on the Buttry Center webpage, along with the registration form link.
The Buttry Center will also be offering a one day in-person climate conference entitled “Faithful Responses to Climate Change” on Saturday, September 20 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, with a livestream option for part of it. Keynote speakers are theological ethicist Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda and climate scientist Dr. Jessica Moerman. This conference is open to all people of faith and interested persons to learn more about climate change and how to faithfully address it. It will be an excellent opportunity for pastors and their congregational members to attend together in-person or watch together via livestream. More information about the keynote speakers can be found on the Buttry Center webpage, as well as the registration form link.
I know that there are many important issues to be concerned about at this time, but I hope you take advantage of these opportunities designed to help people of faith and their leaders know better how to respond to the challenges of climate change and care for God’s marvelous creation.
Rev. Ruth Rosell, Ph.D.
Director of the Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology Emerita
Central Seminary, Overland Park, KS
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.