The tagline on the CBF website is one that we can all celebrate and, at the same time, be challenged by: Partner in Renewing God’s World
By Katherine Smith
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is a Christian network of individuals and churches working together to spread the hope of Christ. Our diverse community includes partners all over the world, and our Fellowship supports a wide range of missions and ministries that give people meaningful opportunities to put their faith into action.
CBF’s reach, as witnessed in the 2022 Impact Report, continues to grow and enrich the lives of people at the local church level, into impoverished communities and across boundaries of race, culture and country. CBF is an amazing and vibrant partner. Through our state and regional Fellowships and the constant engagement with people from myriad and diverse backgrounds, we can embrace a culture of inclusion, solace and growth.
And yet, there is one area lacking when I read this tagline: Partner in Renewing God’s World! While CBF does affirm the vital work related to the care of creation and the CBF Environmental Stewardship Network, there is so much more that can be done and that I suggest should be done to bring more of the ‘other than human’ world into relevance for the rest of the CBF family! Let me show you a few essential ways that this can happen:
CBF has made a huge commitment in support of racial justice across the spectrum of our ministries. What must also be discussed is the long-standing impacts of injustices that have caused part of the ongoing environmental crisis. Communities impacted by polluted water and air and inadequate food resources are just a few areas. The mindset that it is still okay to build the next factory, road or septic system adjacent to minority-populated areas must be addressed. This happens too frequently in our country, generating creation care and environmental justice advocacy issues, as well!
I’m sure most of you have noticed that our country is experiencing more and more “once in a lifetime” weather events. This does not even include the droughts, floods and earthquakes happening around the world. Our local churches, as well as our states and regions, are working hard to help people impacted by these adverse effects. But what about the land that is decimated by these same weather events? CBF churches can help identify vulnerable spaces in their communities, in addition to vulnerable populations. We cannot afford to ignore these increasingly devastating weather-related issues.
Our news is filled with the faces of the poor and vulnerable on our borders. CBF is working diligently to help alleviate the suffering of these people. The influx of those seeking help is only going to increase regardless of government interventions. Central and South America, like portions of the U.S., are already seeing the worst impacts of climate disruptions. However, the safety nets and resources available here are often lacking in other countries. It is paramount that we advocate for the continued care of the migrants on our borders, while at the same time pushing for more support at the country level to help these desperate people maintain their livelihoods and safety in their home countries. They seek hope – hope that followers of Christ are uniquely situated to provide!
A quick internet search will reinforce what many of our churches have been experiencing for years – the exodus of large numbers of young adults from our church communities. The reasons for this exodus are many, as should be expected. One stated reason, however, is a perceived lack of interest from the pulpit concerning issues these same young adults consider relevant. This includes climate change and how it impacts their future existence. CBF churches that embrace environmental care within their communities often see an influx of young adults back into their congregations!
While not a recognized mental illness, climate anxiety is impacting the lives of many people around the world, especially among teenagers. Children born today will be living with the worst effects of climate change throughout their lives, and they are right to be concerned! Our CBF pastors and chaplains are positioned to help care for and speak to their concerns. Training and awareness can help prepare pastors and chaplains as they face this new challenge.
Throughout the Old and New Testament, from beginning to end, God loved and intended all of creation to flourish together – the human and the rest that make up this beautiful universe. We cannot show our love to God and our neighbor without loving the world that binds us all together. As individuals, however, we cannot address every environmental concern. We cannot stop climate change. But what we can do is what Jesus wants us to do – care for all of creation in Jesus’ name! Our Fellowship can and should be doing more to incorporate creation care into every aspect of its ministries and work. Equipping for bold faithfulness is a perfect place to improve this ongoing process.
The CBF Environmental Stewardship Network is here to help, but we can only do so much. We are actively seeking information from you! If you or your church are already working to improve the environment in your community, please let us know. [Contact me at kasmith@baptistcci.org] We also will be meeting on Thursday afternoon, June 29, at the CBF General Assembly in Atlanta. Come lend your voice to this growing network! We want to help CBF do what we do best – work together to spread the hope of Christ! It is time to give more significance to the work that God left to us so long ago, when God created this world and left us humans to care for it – loving our neighbors and loving God in the same way as we love this planet.