First of all, let me declare myself. I am not totally convinced that the world is “going to hell in a hand-basket” environmentally. Second, if it were, I am not convinced that humans can ultimately stop it. Third, the earth is just as much God’s creation in 2007 as it was whenever He created it (I Samuel 2:8; Psalm 24:1). He’s perfectly aware of what’s going on and it is no surprise to Him that we think we’re in trouble with the ozone layer. Still, I am “green” both at home and in the office. Why? Because it makes good sense on at least five counts:

1. If environmentalists are right and I’m wrong (which is highly possible), then I want to be helping, rather than hurting, the situation.

2. If we can only slow the process, rather than stop it outright, then I’m all for slowing it down for the sake of my old age and the life of my grandchildren.

3. God has made it clear in Scripture that we are to take care of this earth as His treasured creation. Much of the first part of Genesis is focused on the earth. The New American Standard Version has 815 references to the earth, although admittedly not all references concern its preservation. The blessing of Joseph in Deuteronomy 33:13-16a should convince us. There, you will also find the hills referred to as “everlasting.”

4. It is the politically correct thing to do these days and no Biblical principle is violated in doing so.

5. It often makes economic sense.

HOW TO HELP YOUR STAFF BE GREEN

Here are several ways that your church management can help staff – and the church – be as green as possible:

• Make sure you have a green policy in place. Ideas for developing this for your church are available on the Internet. Involve some of your staff in the process.
• Make sure the policy is well-communicated verbally and visually throughout your building and grounds. Provide all the necessary tools and easy-to-access instructions for reducing, reusing and recycling. Advertise that you’re a green church on your letterhead and at the various entrances of your buildings.
• Have a periodic contest for staff to come up with even more innovative ways to conserve electricity, water and materials such as paper.
• Switch to recycled paper for the publication of church programs, newsletters, etc.
• Make sure daily cleaning products used by your staff do not contain toxic chemicals.
• Use sand, rather than salt, on icy areas during the winter.
• Make sure all church vehicles and equipment (snow-blowers, lawnmowers, etc.) are maintained regularly and properly in order to increase efficiency and reduce pollution.
• Make sure all your windows and doors are the most energy-efficient types available. At a minimum, replace all your single-pane windows.
• Take a hard look at all your office processes, making sure that you have minimized the amount of printing that takes place and other means of paper waste. In my experience, churches and nonprofits are notorious for having staff that just “feel happier” having a paper copy of everything that comes in on their computer. Teach your staff to back up their entire drives regularly, and help them to electronically file documents properly. As a consultant, I’ve found as many as four people keeping hard copies of reports in one office where everyone is less than 50 feet from everyone else.
• Scan and e-mail a document rather than faxing, mailing or sending it by courier.
• Make sure your lighting, air conditioning and heating are all on timers and timed thermostats, where appropriate. Encourage sweaters in the winter and forget about jackets and ties in the summer.
• Set an example as a leader by walking, running, biking, using public transportation or carpooling to work. I recently bought a Smart (these cars will be available in the United States soon) to do my part.
• Make sure printers, computers, photocopiers and general office equipment have power-down options when not actively in use.
• Something as simple as asking employees to use their own mugs when pouring coffee and tea from dispensing machines will go a long way to help you go green.

The list is endless. If you need more ideas, just do some Internet research on what other organizations have done.

GREEN BUILDING PROJECTS

Many churches are involved in major renovations or new building construction. The designers and planners have every intention to make the facilities as green as possible, conserving every bit of energy they can with the latest equipment, processes and measures. However, this very team is often totally oblivious to the fact that greening a church can actually begin the day the bulldozer comes to knock down the old edifice. Environmentally friendly builders and contractors, and those that hire them, are just as interested in recycling and reusing old materials from the existing structures when erecting the new buildings. There is much that can be done in this regard, and a special examination of such programs is well worth the time and effort.

WHAT’S THE BENEFIT FOR YOUR CHURCH AND YOU?

I’ve already mentioned some benefits in the introduction, but here’s the one I’m most excited about. I am in the middle of reading The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson. One of the lines that I believe is most relevant is this: “Externally focused churches have moved past being angry with the city to wanting to be a blessing to the city.”

As a church, we need to be giving back to our cities by showing that we care about the same good things they do. For many, the environment is pretty high on the list. So the effort to go green, and having a staff that is green, can go a long way to earning the right to be heard on other issues, including spiritual ones. A green church is making the statement, “We want to be part of the solution to mankind’s problems, not add to them. We’ll show our neighbors we care about the earth and our environment. Then, once we’ve worked beside them, they’ll give us a chance to share our concern about the spiritual state of our city and those in it.” Rusaw and Swanson are convinced that good deeds (including helping a city’s environment) and the “good news” cannot and should not be separated.

As a church leader or manager, you have a lot to gain from having the church staff go green. First, it is an indication that you care for things many of them may already care about. Showing that you care for your city and the earth is a wise move. Second, going green can help improve your bottom line on the budget page. Third, going green with your staff minimizes criticism and increases the likelihood of more socially minded people joining your congregation. Later, as Christ-followers catch the vision of you being “externally focused” for the sake of the Gospel, they’ll be an eager contingent of volunteers that can impact every aspect of your community’s marginal people – orphans, widows, prisoners, aliens, the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the sick and the disabled. Your church will be better suited to impact schools, the marketplace and even the decision-making bastions of the community.

Ken Godevenos has served on and/or chaired several church boards. He is a human resources and church consultant, mediator and executive director of SCA International. Call 905.853.6228 or visit www.accordconsulting.com for more information.