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Stewardship
of the Earth: Resolution on Environment and Faith Issues, 1989
Mennonite Church USA
Introduction
From every side we are made aware
today that the Lord's earth--the natural environment that sustains
us all--is suffering serious degradation at human hands. Included
among the many problems are these:
-global warming caused by excessive use of fossil fuels
-destruction of tropical rain forests
-ozone depletion caused by industrial chemicals
-acid rain caused by industrial emissions of sulfur and nitrogen
oxides
-pesticide contamination of soil, water, and food
-waste disposal problems (solid and toxic)
-the loss of genetic resources as animal and plant habitats are
destroyed
-the unavailability of renewable energy for a growing population
-the unknown consequences of genetic engineering on the ecosystem
-the destructive use of productive farmland
These and many other environmental
issues are being discussed widely in our North American societies.
We recognize and affirm the ways in which individuals, congregations,
and district/provincial conferences have engaged in both education
and action on these matters. However, to date most churches have
given low priority to environmental problems. We believe this
is a serious mistake because all of these issues relate to Christian
faith and lifestyle and to the Christian's desire to be an earth
caretaker and peace- maker and to exercise stewardship of the
earth along with stewardship of money and stewardship of the
gospel.
Whereas:
The Bible clearly teaches that
God's creation is good (Gen. 1), that God is the Owner of the
earth (Ps. 24:1-2), and that nature itself praises and glorifies
God (Pss. 19 and 96);
Christians have been directed by many Scriptures to care for
the natural creation as God's stewards (Gen. 1:26-28; Exod. 20:8-11;
Lev. 25 and 26; and Luke 4:16-22, among others);
Christians look forward to the time when all of creation, including
humankind, will be fully restored/redeemed (Rom. 8:18-25; Col.
1:15-23; and John 1:1-5 among others);
and many Mennonites who have traditionally understood their role
as good earth stewards and accepted the scriptural teaching have
today neglected or forgotten an environmental ethic and have
not been fully aware of the impact of our lifestyle on the global
environment and on our sisters and brothers worldwide who share
God's earth with us;
Therefore be it resolved that:
In our individual, work, and
family life we seek to become more caring about our impact on
the environment, and seek to educate ourselves and act upon our
best knowledge of ways to conserve the resources we use.
Mennonite Church and General Conference congregations and conferences
be encouraged to promote discussion and action on ways the Christian
faith relates to environmental issues. Sermons, Sunday school
and group studies, days of special observance, workshops, statements,
and community projects such as recycling that promote a deeper
understanding of the issues are some ways to work.
Mennonite schools and colleges
be encouraged to place special emphasis upon ways en- vironmental
issues relate to Christian faith and lifestyle through special
curricula, workshops, projects, and special days of emphasis
during the next several years.
Mennonite Central Committee offices in the capitals of both the
United States and Canada, and individual staff working with environmental
concerns, seek policy directions from the several Mennonite church
bodies in promoting creation stewardship.
That the delegates of this assembly approve the appointment of
a task force to promote environmental concerns among us. This
task force shall be sponsored by, and report to, the Board of
Congregational Ministries (MC) and the Commission on Home Ministries
(GC).
Adopted by the Tenth Mennonite Church General Assembly (MC),
August 3. 1989, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois,
Proceedings, pp.35-36.
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