North/West Lower Michigan Synod: Covenant for the Care of CreationBelow is a copy of a sample "Congregational Covenant for the Care of Creation". At our synod assembly in 1999, we passed a resolution encouraging our congregations to adopt such a 'covenant' to help them be more intentional about their earthkeeping activities. Congregations that have adopted one (through the signing of the document by the pastor and church council president) are recognized at the next synod assembly, with a small plaque. |
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world and
those who live in it.
(Psalm 24:1)
The Church's concern for God's creation is shaped by the Creative Word of God, the love of God hanging on a cross, and the Spirit of God daily renewing the face of the earth. Caring, serving, keeping, loving, living by wisdom and compassion - these translate into striving for justice in social, economic, political, and environmental matters.
Therefore, the governing body of our congregation affirms the importance of healing and defending creation to our mission as God's people.
As a covenant congregation,
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will:
STUDY AND LEARN about God's marvelous creation and our responsibility to God and our place in his creation;
PRAY, PREACH, AND WORSHIP so that our environmental activities grow out of biblical faith, reverence, and love for God's creation;
MAKE CONGREGATIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LIFESTYLE CHANGES to better model our concern and care for creation; and
GET INVOLVED in our communities, our state, our nation, and the world, to promote policies that foster justice and wholeness of God's creation.
Through this covenant,
______________________________________
claims the promise of "a new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). We dedicate our congregation's life to the care and redemption of all that God has made, for the sake of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and was raised for us to reconcile us and all creatures of God. (Colossians 1:20)
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Signed by the Pastor: ________________________________ |
Signed by an officer of the congregation: ________________________________ | ||
| Pastor | Date | Officer | Date |
For the text of the resolution or for other information, contact Kim Winchell (KWinch5940@aol.com)