Many people assume that if church or organisational leaders simply knew more about climate change or biodiversity loss, they would naturally prioritise creation care. Unfortunately, this is not always true. Decisions about calendars, budgets and organisational priorities are rarely driven by information alone. They are shaped by cultural values, competing responsibilities, institutional culture and limited resources.
What appears in a church calendar, budget or strategic plan communicates what the community believes is important. Without your push, it is a self-reinforcing cycle of inaction. If leaders do not believe that creation care is important (or that their members think it is important), they will not include it. Yet, if creation care never appears on the agenda, members may conclude that it is optional or unrelated to the Christian life.
Your action is thus essential to begin moving it towards a positively-reinforcing cycle.
Leaders first need to be convinced that creation care is biblical. This also means to undo certain misconceptions or long-held beliefs that they have about creation or creation care.
The biblical story begins with God delighting in creation and entrusting humanity with its care (Genesis 1–2). Human stewardship is not ownership but faithful service under God's authority. The Gospel does not abandon creation but promises its renewal.
You have to make the case that creation care flows naturally from the Gospel. Christians anticipate God's coming kingdom by living today as faithful stewards of the world God loves.
For a start, you can use OFW’s theological statement on creation care to further ground the importance of creation care in biblical truth and theology.
Many leaders fear that creation care competes with evangelism, discipleship or social ministry. Instead of presenting it as an additional programme, show how it strengthens what churches already do by integrating into their existing priorities and ministries.
For example:
When leaders see creation care as supporting—not replacing—the church's mission, it becomes easier to commit. This also has the benefit of it being seen as part of multiple ministries’ efforts, rather than an issue championed by one person/committee.
Advocates should first understand the concerns leaders carry. Listening before responding is a core pillar of effective communication. It builds trust, lowers defensiveness, and uncovers what the other person truly values, so that you can build a genuine ally in the leader.
Church leaders may be asking:
Listening respectfully builds trust. Rather than assuming resistance reflects indifference, recognise that leaders too are on their own journey and need you to walk with them, not dismiss them.
Knowing who you are speaking to also helps. Pastors may care more about the biblical and theological reasons for creation care. For lay leaders responsible for budgets, practical benefits may be the more convincing reason. The ministries that they are responsible for can also clue you in on what they care about and how you could dovetail with their existing concerns.
For instance, you could raise that:
Research on organisational change consistently shows that small, successful actions build momentum more effectively than ambitious plans that may overwhelm people who are not ready.
Do not feel that small initiatives are not worth doing or do not make a difference. They are key to generating momentum for eventual cultural change and for demonstrating benefits to leaders. They also provide leaders with an opportunity to learn and see that other congregants are also interested.
Success in small initiatives often gives leaders confidence to pursue larger changes later.
Finally, Christians remember that genuine transformation is ultimately God's work. Prayer is not an alternative to action but the foundation for it.
Paul reminds believers:
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:7, ESV)
Advocates should therefore combine faithful teaching, patient relationships, practical wisdom and persistent prayer. Leaders are far more likely to embrace creation care when they encounter humble Christians whose lives demonstrate joy, hope and faithful stewardship rather than guilt or condemnation.
Helping leaders care about creation is less about winning an argument than cultivating a shared vision: that caring for God's world is one expression of loving God, loving our neighbours and faithfully anticipating the renewal of all creation through Jesus Christ.
Thank you for letting us know.
