Thank You, International Marketplace

I'm not one to think that all, or even some, of society's problems can be fixed by shopping. I am always wary of anything that asks people to buy more useless stuff to fix a problem. You know what I mean. Like when you do into a store in the mall and they are doing a promo for a shirt that is partially for charity. You don't need it, you tell yourself, but it is for a good cause...

"I'll take a medium."

We all need to consume less--ALL OF US. At the same time, living in the 21st Century means that from time to time we all have to buy stuff--clothes, chemicals, cars, condos (and any other alliterated good you can think of). It is unavoidable. In those cases, I have learned that it is best to be intentional about your purchase. First, always try to buy used. No need using up a bunch of new resources when there are perfectly good items all over the place. Second, always try to buy local. This reduces the amount that the item will need to travel, which cuts down on emissions and resources, while at the same time cutting out corporate middlemen and putting more money in the pockets of local artists, businesspersons and entrepreneurs. These two rules will help you live a more sustainable, more responsible life from a cultural, social, spiritual, and environmental standpoint.

The rub comes when, like me, you live out in the suburbs where there isn't a local farmer's market and there aren't many stores that sell used or locally-produced goods. It can be hard to make a strong purchasing decision in that scenario.

Fortunately, we live in a hyper-connected world with that handy-dandy highway we know and love: the internet. I am noticing sites popping up all over the place that offer a virtual marketplace for buying and selling handmade, environmentally-friendly, and vintage goods. My favorite site like this is called Etsy. On Etsy.com, you can buy and sell paintings, photography, candles, clothing, jewelry--basically, anything--with no middleman. In the search engine, you can check whether or not you Best of all, most vendors have very affordable prices!

Another site that Ebay has just released is World of Good. On this site, you can even select from their four product categories: People Positive, Eco Positive, Animal Friendly, or Supports a Cause. There are some really amazing items on this site, but the down side is that they tend to be pretty pricey.

Do you have any sites like this that you've discovered?

Vintage Green

If you want a break from the unbridled coverage of Michael Jackson's death and legacy, check out the Relevant article, "Vintage Green," by Kaylin King. The colloquial web exclusive opens with a story about King's grandmother to illustrate that living "green" often means rediscovering the way life used to be. "Not only did (my grandmother) sew and mend many of her own clothes, but she washed them by hand, and, with great care, hung the clothes up to dry," she writes. "The neighbors’ chickens provided eggs for the entire neighborhood, while the milkman came weekly."

In fact, this point has been made by author Bill McKibben in his bestselling book, Deep Economy. As King summarizes, "McKibben argued that by replacing community with cheap convenience, our society has sold out our collective integrity for quantity. We have chosen to become families who work tirelessly outside the home in order to afford newer vehicles, bigger houses and lavish vacations. In the crux of this busyness, we are forced to forgo the “good” in exchange for the quick and easy."

I think about my own grandmother who seems a lot like King's. Growing up, my grandmother also made many of her own clothes and depended on her direct community for support and survival. When she tells me stories about "better days," it makes me wonder if all of our technology and creature comforts and wealth has improved life at all. Perhaps we don't need to look ahead to a so-called "green revolution." Maybe yesterday is the key to a better tomorrow.

Thoughts?

Drink Coffee. Do Good.

Creation care can't be separated from people care--they are intimately connected. This year at Flourish Conference we were able to profile an organization that does both well: Land of a Thousand Hills (LOATH) coffee company. LOATH primarily works in the country of Rwanda, where citizens are poor and jobless in the wake of devastating genocide. By sustaining coffee farms in Rwanda, LOATH provides jobs for these workers and cultivates the land for good use. To boot, they pay the workers higher than fair wage for their labor and produce an excellent cup of coffee.

We so believe in what this company is doing that we allowed them to share their vision with our participants from the stage and by way of free coffee. If you have never purchased LOATH coffee, you should definitely give it a try. I love their Rwandan Medium and you will never taste a better cup of decaf than their water-processed Peruvian Blend. If you don't drink coffee, consider buying a Rwandan farmer a bike. Depending on your financial situation, LOATH even allows you to just donate a set of tires or purchase a frame for this much needed farming tool.

Everything about this company compels me to live by their slogan: Drink Coffee. Do Good. Check them out and I bet you'll say the same.

New Urbanism

One of the most striking presentations at Flourish Conference this year a video on new urbanism called "Built to Last." It was produced by Chris Elisara of Creation Care Study Program and John Paget of Paget Films and was winner of the Congress for New Urbanism's video contest. The artistic quality of this video is through the roof and the message is powerful.

Check out the 3-minute video out and let me know your thoughts.

Floresta: Purposeful Planting

Floresta is the coolest organization you've never heard of and their program Plant with Purpose may be the neatest creation care initiative around today. Through Plant with Purpose, Floresta is working to reverse poverty and deforestation by planting trees internationally. They currently have programs in Mexico, Tanzania, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

We showcased Plant with Purpose at Flourish this year, and Scott Sabin, Floresta's Director, did a bang up job speaking to our attendees. Are you looking for an easy creation care organization to partner with that is making a difference? Donate to Plant with Purpose and "help grow a village." For every dollar you donate, a tree will be planted that can provide food, work, and profit in a poverty-stricken community. A simple offering taken up in your small group could revolutionize lives and make a tangible improvement to God's glorious creation. Take a look at the video above and check out their website.

Review of Disneynature's Earth

Recently, I had the opportunity to screen Disneynature's debut film, Earth. I was so impressed by the movie that I wrote a review for Relevant. The movie is narrated by James Earl Jones and follows the lives of three animal families as they overcome amazing circumstances. The film is replete with life lessons and redemptive elements that uncover the grandeur of God's creation. In fact, Flourish's Rusty Pritchard has produced an Earth discussion guide in cooperation with Disneynature that is incredible tool that could be used by pastors, small groups and families as they engage this movie.

If you see this movie and especially if you utilized the discussion guide, I would love to know what you thought of both.

Loving our Neighbors...All of Them

I wrote an article that ran in USA Today this morning entitled "An Evangelical's Plea: Love the Sinner" calling evangelical Christians to begin treating our gay and lesbian neighbors more lovingly. The feedback has been intense with many positive affirmations coming from young adults and a few negative comments and emails from some older Christians.

This is actually the second time in less than a month that I have taken heat over this particular issue. I took a beating behind closed doors for an interview that appeared in an article entitled, "Reduce, Reuse, Religion." When the interview was conducted, I thought it was going to be about environmental stewardship and younger evangelicals, but I soon realized that it was primarily about gay and lesbian issues. The article's lead sentences state:

"Jonathan Merritt doesn’t want to talk about his own views on gay marriage or civil unions -- perhaps for good reason. Merritt is a young evangelical leader, a prominent writer on modern faith, and the son of a former Southern Baptist Convention president. The religious landscape of this country may be changing, but anyone who espouses equality could derail a future leadership role among evangelicals..."

The journalist seems to imply that I play my cards close to my chest because my views on gay marriage or civil unions could get me into trouble. In the sense that he means it, the implication is dead wrong; but in another sense, it is spot on.

My views are not controversial in that I believe a redefinition of marriage, much less the moralization of the homosexual lifestyle, runs in direct opposition to the teachings of scripture. I hold to the historically orthodox position. But, perhaps they are controversial in that I don't elevate homosexual practice above and beyond all the other sins in scripture like many Christians.

Homosexual practice is sin according to scripture, but so is gossip, lying, pride, most divorces and the many other "respectable sins" that run rampant in our church hallways. 33% of pastors say they have viewed pornography in the last year, and in 1996 at Promise Keepers event 50% of men said they had viewed porn in the week preceding the event. Are we speaking about our own sexual sins with the same frequency and veracity? If two people are co-habitating or getting an unbiblical divorce, we often turn a blind eye, but if a gay couple visits the church, they are often treated as if they have some sort of contagious disease. Truth be told, Christian treatment of homosexuals runs contrary to the teachings of love replete in scripture.

I have many gay friends who have suffered at the hands of evangelical Christians who spit venom at the gay community every chance they get. Like many young evangelicals, I am weary of the unloving, unsympathetic, uninformed speech directed at the gay community. It is time those who bear the name of Jesus Christ stand up and call our community back to a posture that reflects the teachings of the One we claim to serve.

What can we do to affirm, rather than undermine, our claims to love our gay and lesbian neighbors?

Protestant Pastors and Creation Care

Interesting new research from Ed Stetzer & Co. A LifeWay Research study breaks down protestant pastors' views on most divisive environmental issue as well as how often they address creation care from their pulpit. Clear divisions among political and theological lines. Read the study news release.

Has your pastor ever addressed creation care from the pulpit? If so, what kind of church do you attend?

Pastor Sees Care of Earth as Duty

An interesting article in today's AJC: "Pastor Sees Care of Earth as Duty"

At the end of it, I mention Flourish Conference 2009 by saying "I think [this conference] is going to be the primary touch point for the church to get involved in the 21st century."

Check out the article and the conference.

Update: ABP Article on Flourish

Catalyst Podcast: Creation Care Roundtable

The Catalyst Conference is one of the largest and most exciting gathering of Christian leaders annually. In between conferences, the Catalyst staff provides a whole ton of products and services at their online home, CatalystSpace. One of their best products is the Catalyst Podcast, which features some of the most interesting and influential personalities around today. This week, I was honored to be a part of Catalyst Podcast Episode 66: Creation Care Roundtable. It was amazing to be a part of a fantastic organization like Catalyst, but it was more amazing to join together with two heroes of mine for discussion: Matthew Sleeth, author of Serve God, Save the Planet and Rusty Pritchard, Co-Founder and President of Flourish.

Feel free to download this podcast via iTunes or by clicking here and let me know your thoughts.

A Third Way on Climate Change

I believe that climate change is a reality, and I think humans are causing it. I am neither a "chicken little" alarmist nor an "ostrich" who thinks we should just ignore the evidence because it is all part of a "liberal agenda." I know this puts me at odds with many of my readers, and I am cool with that. If you've read this blog more than once, you probably realize that I don't shy away from the controversial issues.

It seems that almost every week I get an email from another climate change skeptic with a link to some weatherman living in Wyoming who says it all a hoax that the underground socialist movement has hatched in dark, smoky alleyways. While I read and respond to every email, I don't spend a lot of time arguing with people about the existence of or the causes of global climate change anymore. Perhaps most humorous is the fact that people are putting their trust in meteorologists to begin with. Weathermen have a hard enough time predicting the weather tomorrow. What makes you think they can predict 100 years out? Don't get me wrong. I think there are some very capable and well-intentioned scientists who disagree with the majority opinion. I just disagree with them.

I have been fully persuaded that something seems to be happening, and even if by some slim chance that it isn't, we should still act. Most of the things that would reduce the effects of climate change if it does exist are things we should be doing anyway--purifying the air, reducing consumption, protecting forestland, restricting the astronomical amounts of toxic gases that we are pumping into the air. I paraphrase Thomas Friedman: If global warming is a hoax, it is the greatest hoax that has ever been hatched. Who doesn't want healthy forests, clean air and water, and cutting edge green industries?

The big problem I have with the climate change conversation involves proposed solutions. Due to the fact that conservatives abandoned environmentalism long ago, the only ones proposing solutions to this very real problem are liberal policymakers. They are proposing a system called "cap and trade," which basically means that the government would place a cap on the amount of carbon emissions that industries would be able to emit through the selling of "carbon credits." If an industry developed a way to reduce their output, they could sell their carbon credits and make a profit. The problem is that all the money generated by this massive legislation would--you guessed it--go right back into the pocket of big brother.

Don't get me wrong, I support capping carbon emissions. I even support the government imposing the caps. But simply funneling the money back into government to create and fund more programs is counterproductive and will not stimulate an already weakened economy. Don't be fooled--this legislation will become a reality unless conservative environmentalists can speak loudly for an alternative solution.

A common ground solution may be "cap and dividend," a legislative solution laid out in GOOD Magazine's article, "The Third Way: Carbon Cap and Dividend." Cap and dividend does corrects the mistakes of cap and trade by setting more realistic caps on emissions and taking all the money generated and returning it to the taxpayers. Capping carbon emissions will certainly result in higher energy costs. Paying the dividends to everyday individuals offset this increase while working toward a healthier life, a more vibrant creation, and a more sustainable lifestyle. If you care about environmental problems and the world's poor that are hit the hardest by these problems, I would encourage you to give this solution some serious thought.

If you had a chance to read this article, what are your thoughts?

Update: ABP Article on ERLC and Cap and Trade

Review: Green Revolution

When it comes to books on creation care, there is a lot of worthless fluff out there. Green Revolution by Ben Lowe, however, is a very different kind of creation care book. It is comprehensive, collaborative, and creative. I am excited about this book and not just because I contributed an essay to it. (Wink.) It excites me because it accurately highlights the creation care movement sweeping up Christians and churches all across the world. That is why I decided to both endorse it and review it for Relevant Magazine. Check out my review of Green Revolution here and find out why I believe this book is a "powerfully convincing invitation to join a fresh movement of God."

Unscrew You!

Recently, I came across a national campaign that impressed me both from a message standpoint and a marketing standpoint. Unscrew America is a collaboration which seeks to encourage people everywhere to save money, reduce energy usage, and foster independence from fossil fuels by replacing old, incandescent bulbs with CFL's and LED's. Believe it or not, there are actually people out there who discourage the use of these bulbs. These people claim CFL's are harmful because they contain trace amounts of mercury, however, organizations like Earth911 have solved this problem by helping people locate recycling depositories in their surrounding area. 

Besides the few on the fringe who will find an excuse to oppose any manner of environmental stewardship, many people are now using light bulbs as they wade into a more eco-friendly lifestyle. "Unscrew America is made up of everyone who helps spread the word about energy efficient lighting," declares their ridiculously sweet interactive website. 

So check them out, let me know what you think and please consider replacing your bulbs if you haven't done so already. Oh, and make sure you watch the videos--hysterical. 

Global greening vs. the economy

It isn't often that I will publish several posts within a given week, and I don't recall ever posting twice in one day. Unlike some bloggers, I have bills to pay and can't sit around typing for free all day. There are only two events that may draw me out of my busy schedule for repeated posts: terrible tragedy or hilarious comedy. Today, it just so happens that the subject is a rare mix of both. 

Penna Dexter, a self-described "conservative activist" with whom I am unacquainted, wrote an opinion piece that has been posted on the homepage of BaptistPress, the Public Relations department for the national headquarters of the SBC. The article, "Global Greening vs. the Economy" basically rehashes old arguments about how environmental policy is bad for the economy. In her mind, the economy should always win out. "Our care for the environment is a high value for most Americans," she writes. "But our economic survival is higher."

Perhaps this is a lesson for all of those who live in pollute-ridden inner cities. When the air becomes saturated with toxic particulate matter that childhood asthma rates reach record levels (as they have in some cities), make sure you protect the smog-producing, economically-critical companies lest we financially burden them. What about the fifteen states in which you could go fishing in the rivers and streams, but it would be illegal to eat those fish due to their high levels of poisons which come from upstream industries? Should we ignore that as well? Not in my book.

Dexter does, however, get it right in one of the waning sentences of the last paragraph when she says, "It's God's idea that man would tend the earth." Perhaps, if that sentence had been placed at the top of this article and the logical progression upon which it was built, readers would have walked away with a better understanding of the article's last three words: "GOOD--ENVIRONMENTAL--STEWARDSHIP."

Read the article and let me know what you think.

Southeastern Receives $126,500 Creation Care Grant

An article has been released from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which outlines a grant we were able to secure in the amount of $126,500 to develop and advance creation care stewardship among Southern Baptists. This will serve many purposes over the next 12 months from a campus-wide recycling program to a creation care conference to be hosted by Southeastern in 2009. While the launch of the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative was significant from a messaging standpoint, this grant will move the theoretical to the tangible as Southern Baptists begin to engage the most critical issues of our day. 

Hello, My Name is Environmental Pinhead

My holiday season began with three disappointments. First, I went to see the new Vince Vaughn flick, "Four Christmases," and found it to be thoroughly devoid of both humor and holiday cheer. Second, I received a review copy of "Searching for a Better God" and finished the last chapter still wondering what was wrong with our current God and completely convinced that the author didn't know of a better one. Finally, I caught wind of Richard Land's attack on climate science and pro-active environmentalism on his radio program. As a recent article published by EthicsDaily.com (a website and organization for which I have few affections), "Baptist Leader Misstates Environmental Data," has pointed out, Land recently spent his show ranting about how the globe is actually getting cooler, not warmer, and called those who disagree with him "environmental pinheads" and "environmental loons."

Now, I don't mind anyone attacking a particular position with which they disagree. Unless this is your first visit to my blog, you know I do it often myself. What irks me is when people launch an attack with such ferocity and vitriol that their breath could melt steel when they haven't done their homework. As this article points out, Land was quoting data form a Washington Times article referring the United States, NOT the globe. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climatic Data Center, 2008 has been the 9th hottest year GLOBALLY on record.

Following Land's radio spot, I was interviewed by the Associated Baptist Press for a story entitled, "Studies Show Rise in Greenhouse Gases in 2007," in which I noted that people who selectively quote data to support a contrarian view are driven more by an ideology than a theology. When viewed theologically, our decisions should always err on the side of love rather than greed in any matter, environmental or otherwise.

"Regardless of one's stance on climate change," I said in the ABP article. "Everyone can agree that pumping record levels of gas into our atmosphere isn't a good idea and certainly wouldn't be consistent with an idea of stewardship."

I have said many times before that I am not convinced of all the claims of climate scientists. I can't even understand some of what they say. But in the face of conflicting evidence on ethical issues, Christians must always act prudently. Prudence, in my mind, means gathering all the facts before making strong claims and doing one's best not to stoop to name calling. 

Thoughts?

A great new website has launched that is unlike anything I have seen. Creation Care for Pastors is a web resource specifically designed for church Pastors who are interested in creation care. It takes a distinctively biblical approach by applying scriptural principles to environmental issues. This site features books, resources, scientific data and everything a pastor needs to educate himself or herself about the state of creation and our God-given role to care for it.

If you are pastor, check it out and let me know what you think.

**Update: Check out the sample sermons from Bill Hybels, Rob Bell, Matthew Sleeth, Tri Robinson and others.**

New Book: Green Revolution

Intervarsity Press will be releasing a new book in March 2009 called Green Revolution: Coming Together to Care for Creation by Ben Lowe (foreword by Shaine Claiborne). Ben is a Wheaton Grad and Director of Outreach for A Rocha, and in this book he covers a timely word about the state of God's world and our responsibility to care for it.

Earlier this year, I wrote an essay that will appear in the book after the chapter on politics. I imagine that my essay will create some sparks. I also offered an endorsement along with Timothy George, Will Samson, Bill McKibben and others. Make sure you preorder a copy, read it and let me know what you think.

In what may be the most exciting and promising PR campaign to come out of the Christian community in a long time, the Creation Care Minute has launched in radio markets all across the United States. The voice of these 60-second spots is Tricia Elisara, a wife, mother, and someone who knows how important caring for God's creation really is. I was privileged enough to write some of the scripts for this project along with several other talented writers.

I encourage you to pray for and listen for the creation care minute spots as they hit the airwaves in your city soon. Sixty seconds may not seem like a lot to you, but in the time it takes to toast a bagel God can awaken a heart to the task of caring for His wonderful creation and advocating for those who depend on it worldwide.

The Bible Goes Green?

In a publishing first, Harper-Collins is set to release The Green Bible in only a few short days. The press release reads, "New bible shows how God was the original environmentalist--and how the world's most influential book urges us to sustain our planet." I received an advance copy for review in the mail today, and I must say that it is well put together and beautifully bound.

The Bible has several intriguing if not revolutionary features. It features essays from Desmond Tutu, Pope John Paul II, NT Wright, Matthew Sleeth and others. And it is eco-friendly. The Bible is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks and is held by a 100% cotton/linen cover. Finally, it is a "green-letter edition" so every reference to the creation is marked with brightly-colored ink.

I have only two small qualms with this project. 1) I have never been a fan of special editions of the Bible. I think the Bible probably transcends these uses by its very nature. 2) This Bible is in one of my least favorite translations, the NRSV. Even in light of these things, I would urge everyone to at least go echeck one out in person. Just holding it in your hands is an interesting experience.

What do you think about The Green Bible?