Church and the environment
The Uniting Church’s commitment to the environment arises out of the Christian belief that God, as creator of the universe, calls us into a special relationship with the creation—a mutual and interdependent relationship which seeks to reconcile of all creation with God. We believe God’s will for the earth is renewal and reconciliation, not destruction by human beings.
The foundational document of the Uniting Church, the Basis of Union, expressed this as the very heart of the Church’s mission: God in Christ has given to all people in the Church the Holy Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that coming reconciliation and renewal which is the end in view for the whole creation. The Church’s call is to serve that end.
From the start
In its first public statement in 1977, the Uniting Church in Australia expressed what would be an abiding concern with the well-being of the planet for the rights of future generations. In part, this statement read: ‘we are concerned with the basic human rights of future generations and will urge the wise use of energy, the protection of the environment and the replenishment of the earth’s resources for their use and enjoyment.’
A green church
The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod made a strong commitment to take seriously our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation when we committed ourselves to being a “Green Church”. This sets a high standard for our decisions and the way we seek to live within the wider community.