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"God created the earth and all that is in it and declared it good. God's creation is marked by wondrous complexity, interdependence and beauty. Human beings are called by God to the task of stewardship - taking care of the earth respectfully for its own sake and so that present and future generations may live on it and enjoy its fruits. The gifts of creation and the responsibility of stewardship were given to all of humanity, so that all might have enough and no one would have more than is needed and God’s justice would prevail."
—From the National Council of Churches USA Eco-justice Covenant
Reflections on Labor
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15, NIV)
"People are joined to the land by work. Land, work, people and community are all comprehended in the idea of culture." –Wendell Berry, Sierra.
"Earthkeeping should now be seen as an essential part of the Christian mission. There is a call for Christians who will give themselves specifically to this vocation and for some to fulfill this calling as cross-cultural missionaries. The larger summons is for all of us to support this aspect of the Christian mission and to contribute to it according to our abilities." –E. Luther Copeland, World Mission, World Survival
"It is time to consider that perhaps Christians’ highest calling, Christians’ most devoted service, may not be to serve as the clergy of the church or as unordained church professionals, or even to serve in other traditional “people professions” as social workers nursing, teaching, and the like. It is time to consider that the most religious response to the call of God may be where the fabric of Creation most needs repair, reform and renewal. . . . [T]he issues of God’s Creation are profoundly religious matters. Service to and in God’s Creation is Christian calling of the highest order, and is the most ardent form of religious devotion."
–Anne Rowthorn, Caring for Creation.
-Dennis Testerman, Moderator, Stewardship of Creation
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