Churches “going green”
Over the recent past — specifically since “An Inconvenient Truth,” many churches have been forming rabid green teams charged with creating programs for environmental stewardship within the congregation, analyzing where energy savings can be optimized and to establish a culture of ecology within the parish. My work, my congregation and my seminary are no different in these attitudes, and overall it is a good work.
But doesn’t this all sound like the mid- to late-1980s all over again? Those who, like me, grew up with the commercials in between cartoons on Saturday morning calling us to “reduce, reuse, recycle,” or remember the commercial with the sad Native American who sheds a lone tear for the garbage strewn across his land, is it familiar? The boom, particularly of the late-1990s, displaced us from a focus on the environment.
The push for environmental sustainability has received greater emphasis in our churches and society following a number of big names throwing their endorsements behind such efforts. But why are so few people talking about the drawbacks of these efforts?
One of the biggest issues in America is the over-consumption of resources. Does it seem more than a little strange that green solutions generally involve consuming more?
- The paint on the walls of your home emit toxic fumes. Even though you painted just a year ago, make sure to go out and buy gallons more paint you don’t need, but this time get the low-emission, eco-friendly paint.
- The carpet in your home is only five years old. No matter — make sure to go out and buy new bamboo flooring that you don’t need because its better for the environment.
- Did you just replace a lightbulb with those ever-so-disgusting and old incandescent style? Get thee to the store stat and buy a pack of CFLs — overpacked for your convenience in enough plastic to cover a dining room table — and throw out that perfectly good bulb. Yes, its creating more waste now, but its so good later on.
- Stop driving that gas-guzzling Chevette and stop by your nearest Lexus dealer to browse their hybrid lineup. Its simply not acceptable to drive anything less — or consider mass transit, or carpooling, or consolidating trips, or…
Stewardship is the notion of paying close care to that which has been entrusted to you. We are called to be good stewards for our neighbor, our money, our family and yes, the environment. But it is simply not good stewardship to fall prey to hype. Change over to CFLs, but do it as you would normally do: by replacing what needs to be replaced. Are the scuff marks on your walls ready to be painted? By all means, consider the “green” paint. (I especially like Sherwin Williams’ offerings, but do as you will.) Does your vehicle, like mine, already get 30-35+ miles to the gallon? Consider other alternatives, like walking or biking to work, taking mass transit, setting up a carpool for your office or shopping trips with a nearby friend, rather than junking it in favor of the hybrid.
Going green is a lifestyle change, and like every other, consideration must be weighted to one’s situation. I think of many churches I work with — including my own:
- Many churches put their dishware and mugs in storage as the conveniences of using disposable overpowered the clean-up of stoneware following coffee hour. Pulling those “old relics” out for another tour of duty is a simple way to be more green — but rather than tossing the still-usable disposable cups and plates, at least get through the supply-on-hand in the meantime.
- For those churches who use an order of worship or liturgy that is printed in a pew resource (such as a hymnal or prayer book), why not just create “bookmarks” for the greeters to hand out each week, containing the service outline with page numbers for quick reference. Using less paper also means recycling less paper — expending less energy overall.
- Allow pledging members to give electronically, either through a third-party resource or have members set up routine bill payments if their bank offers free online bill pay. (Side note: if your bank still charges you for this service — change immediately, or demand they buy a new calendar showing the current year.) Some will switch, meaning less paper each week from checks and envelopes, but also usually indicating a greater percentage of fulfilled annual pledges. (Why yes, I am on the Board of Stewards at my congregation, why do you ask?)
There are certain times when there simply is not a better green alternative. For example, if your congregation does not have suitable dishwashing procedures or equipment and offers a weekly community meal, you may not be able to scrap disposable products in favor of dishware. Here’s where that stewardship thing comes in again: it is better stewardship for the environment to upgrade the kitchen dishwasher, but is it the right stewardship for your congregation community?
Oh, and what about the economic class division that is being created between the “greens” and the “nots”? Post for another time…
The video that prompted it all: