Explanation

Resolution 1991–A195, adopted by the 70th General Convention over 25 years ago, declared that Christian Stewardship of God's created environment, in harmony with our respect for human dignity, requires response from the Church of the highest urgency. This urgency has only grown in the passing decades. In Genesis we read that God created humanity from the dust of the earth and placed us in a garden to till it and to keep it. We see in Revelation that when Christ returns, the earth becomes a garden city, with the water of life flowing freely and the tree with the leaves for the healing of the nations at its center. As we wait for that day we are mindful that God made us of one substance with the soil. As witnesses to the love of God, the Church has the opportunity to make better use of our underutilized property to create tangible projects that sequester carbon and preserve species. We can do this on land we already own, in partnership with neighbors whom we are called to love and serve. Such ecological ministry projects create opportunities for us to show and tell the love of God in Jesus Christ and demonstrate that Christianity and science are partners, not enemies.