Related Projects
Scientists and Evangelicals United to Protect Creation
I was involved in a retreat of top environmental scientists and faith leaders convened by E.O. Wilson, Eric Chivian (Harvard) and Richard Cizik (N.A.E.) and a signer of the subsequent call to action. This was the beginning of further collaborative efforts between people of faith and science regarding the environment. See below.
In response to this historic initiative between evangelicals and secular scientists, Carl Safina and I founded the Friendship Collaborative. This is an effort to bring environmental scientists, biologists and conservationists together with pastors to bridge the cultural divide between these communities and to mobilize each to bring their unique gifts to bear in addressing the global environmental crisis. It is a joint effort of Carl’s Blue Ocean Institute and the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor. (In case you didn’t figure it out, Carl is the secular scientist and I’m the pastor.)
We’ve hosted events at Akron University and The Ohio State University and have more in the planning stages. Carl Safina is the author of the acclaimed, Song for the Blue Ocean. Do yourself a favor and read it.
With the support of Eric Chivian, Director of the Harvard Center for Health and the Global Environment, Richard Cizic, of the National Association of Evangelicals, and Joel Hunter, pastor of Northland–A Church Distributed, we launched a project to educate pastors who are in a climate of suspicion regarding environmental concerns regarding the biblical roots of creation care. Don Bromley, the Executive Pastor of Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor manages the website and distribution of materials. We recently sent our booklet, Creation Care for Busy Pastors to 3,000 pastors affiliated with the Willow Creek Association, at the request of Bill Hybels.