God's A.C.R.E.
Action (in) Creation, Redeeming Earth
Works, Talks and Walks
A is for all
(because ultimately it is God's and all of the earth belongs to him!) C is for
Care, for conservation R is for
resources for resting, for renewing E is for
educational, for environment, for ecology
“But can ecological involvement
properly be included under the heading of “mission”? Yes, it can and should.
For mission embraces everything Christ sends his people into the world to do,
service as well as evangelism. And we cannot truly love and serve our neighbours
if at the same time we are destroying their environment, or acquiescing in its
destruction, or even ignoring the environmentally depleted circumstances in
which so many people are condemned to live. As by the incarnation Jesus Christ
entered into our world, so true incarnational mission involves entering into
other people’s worlds, including the world of their social and environmental
reality....The gospel itself includes God’s creation as well as his work of
redemption.” Written by John Stott for the
foreward of 'Under the bright wings' - The book about the beginnings of A Rocha:
Christians in Conservation by Peter Harris '...the
challenge remains of bringing Christians to realise that creation and redemption
are inextricably connected together at the centre of Christian mission.' Sir John Houghton
(Taken from A Rocha's magazine on Climate Change Issue 23 Spring 2007) 'We've
thought that the gospel is about us - selfishly and our relationship with God as
human beings and actually the Gospel is about good news for the whole of
creation. We have to have God's perspective that doesn't put human beings at
the centre but puts Christ at the centre'. Rev
David Bookless, an A Rocha Director
“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones
anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy."
Isaiah 65:17,18 God's A.C.R.E. is about God's works
in nature and our works through practical Creation Care; through talks (including video's, presentations,
meditations and more) and walks both educational and just for good air
and exercise! This will be an expanding and ongoing project.
(Aims
of God's ACRE)
Resources: e.g.
This Website:
Offers resources for God's ACRE as a
group. An 'umbrella' demonstrating what some
other secular and Christian environmental groups are doing in Creation Care.
Campaigns
Climate Change
Community etc.