Theology resources
The Methodist Church in Britain hosts an Environment and Climate Change webpage. It supports the Church's target of becoming a new zero carbon emissions Church by 2030. Find out more about this commitment at Action for Hope.
In addition, the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) hopes for "a planet where our environment is renewed". The team regularly updates its page focusing on the environment.
Other resources
In 2009, the Methodist Church, with JPIT, published the document Hope in God’s Future: Christian discipleship in the context of climate change. The report and study guide, now in its third edition, was designed to help individuals and local groups:
- understand the position of The Baptist Union, The Methodist Church and The United Reformed Church on climate change
- become aware of vital connections between climate change and the Christian faith
- transform lifestyles through studying, praying and acting on the issues
- inspire others in the community to live in harmony with the whole of creation
Copies are available from Methodist Publishing or you can download the 2nd edition (2012).
Also read the 2007 Methodist Conference Resolution ‘Caring for creation in the face of climate change’ (download here as PDF)
Eco Church ideas and awards
The Methodist Church is in partnership with the Eco Church Awards scheme run by A Rocha UK. Find out where to start at Become an Eco Church.
Eco Congregation Scotland
Scotland has an eco church award scheme equivalent to Eco Church awards in England and Wales. Find out more at Eco Congregation Scotland. The site includes a wide range of archived materials, including videos.
All this material is underpinned by the section on Theology and the Environment, which offers green theological perspectives from a wide range of sources. The site editors write that “exploring ‘green Christianity’ can be a positive, enjoyable and fulfilling part of Christian discipleship” but note that, “as with all theology, Christian care for the environment needs to be rooted in a consideration of the Biblical heritage.” Their own documents, "Theology and the environment" and "Evolving Christian understanding of God in Creation" offer a helpful introductory read.
The John Ray Initiative
Briefing papers (50 at the time of writing) are available from the John Ray Initiative. These cover important early statements by Sir John Houghton on the “Christian challenge of caring for the earth” and “Global pollution and climate change” to more recent statements e.g. “Is fracking good for us?” and “The ecological crisis and the Mission of the Church”.
Other papers explore environmental issues as expressed in the biblical books of Exodus, Micah and Revelation.
Useful for small groups are Bible studies and group resources:
- Mission and Creation Care for Christian Disciples: five studies with accompanying leaders’ notes, designed “to mobilise congregations and churches in living out the mission of God and to see individual lives, communities, and the environment flourish”
- A Christian Look at the Environment; five Bible studies by Dena Burne
All Operation Noah’s resources are clearly listed by category and type.