Questions about what is "necessary" to consume in church matter because they reveal what we believe worship is for. Every purchase a church makes—from bread and wine for Communion to electricity, printed materials, decorations, and refreshments—is ultimately a theological decision. It reflects how the Church understands God's gifts, its mission, and its responsibility towards creation.
The underlying assumption behind this question is often that creation care requires churches to eliminate all consumption. Scripture, however, does not teach that consumption itself is wrong. Human beings are created to receive God's gifts with gratitude. Instead, the Bible distinguishes between faithful use and wasteful or self-indulgent use.
From the very beginning, humanity is entrusted with creation:
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." (Genesis 2:15, ESV)
The Hebrew words translated "work" (abad) and "keep" (shamar) also carry the sense of serving and guarding. Our role is therefore neither exploitation nor preservation for its own sake, but faithful stewardship of God's creation.
Likewise, Psalm 24 reminds us:
"The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1, ESV)
Because everything belongs to God, churches should seek to use resources in ways that honour the Creator.
Communion is not merely a church tradition but an ordinance instituted by Christ.
Jesus commanded His disciples:
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'" (Luke 22:19–20, ESV)
Because Communion is commanded by Jesus, consuming bread and the cup is not optional decoration but an essential practice of Christian worship.
Creation care therefore does not argue against Communion. Instead, it encourages churches to ask how the elements can be prepared responsibly:
The goal is faithful stewardship without diminishing the sacrament's significance.
Fresh flowers present a different category. Scripture certainly uses flowers and plants as symbols of God's beauty and provision (e.g., Matthew 6:28–30), and throughout Christian history churches have used flowers to express celebration, reverence, and hospitality.
However, unlike Communion, fresh flowers are not biblically prescribed for Christian worship. They are contextual expressions rather than essential elements.
This means churches can thoughtfully ask:
The answer will vary depending on the church's context. Creation care is not opposed to beauty. Indeed, beauty reflects God's character. The question is whether our pursuit of beauty is expressed wisely and responsibly.
Rather than creating a rigid list of permitted and forbidden items, churches can evaluate every area of consumption through four questions:
These questions reflect the biblical call to wisdom rather than legalism.
Ultimately, creation care is not about making church services austere or joyless. The biblical vision of worship is abundant with gratitude, beauty, generosity, and celebration. Yet it is also marked by justice, simplicity, and faithful stewardship.
As the Church bears witness to Christ's reconciling work—through whom God is "to reconcile to himself all things" (Colossians 1:20)—our patterns of consumption should anticipate God's coming new creation. When churches consume thoughtfully rather than carelessly, they proclaim that every part of life, including the use of material resources, belongs to Christ.
In this way, decisions about Communion elements, flowers, coffee, paper, electricity, or meals become opportunities to practice faithful discipleship: receiving God's gifts with thanksgiving, using them wisely, and being mindful of our consumption for the sake of our neighbours and the flourishing of all that God has made.
Thank you for letting us know.
