Implementing the Rainbow Covenant for Earth Mission
A Rainbow Covenant for EarthMission has been developed by the National Council of Churches Eco-Mission Project Team, representing a significant development in mission within the Australian Church. Congregations and mission groups are now invited to discuss this document and explore where and how it might serve as a vehicle for promoting our mission to Earth as an important dimension of the mission program of the church. How best can this document be utilised and promoted? Would a manual be useful for parishes and groups to study the biblical basis of the document and provide guidelines as to ways in which an Earth mission might be implemented? Would it be helpful to include a network of resources, and examples of how groups have been motivated to engage in Earth mission and to take practical action? Would your congregation endorse this mission? Please send any comments and suggestions to Clive Ayre,clive.ayre@ucaqld.com.au.
Important Lessons from the Bible
Why Jesus came:
"that the world might be saved through him"
John 3:17
Who Jesus is going to use to save the world:
"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."
Romans 8:19
Our role on earth:
"The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it."
Genesis 2:15
The Five Pillars of A Christian Theology of Sustainability
1. God is the creator, sustainer and redeemer of creation.
2. Covenantal Stewardship (we have a covenant with God as stewards of the earth).
3. The creation-fall-redemption paradigm (God made a good world; human failure broke the relationships between god, man and creation; Christ provides hope for all creation).
4.Bodily resurrection(we will rise with bodies, not as spirits)
5.New Creation (a new Heaven and new Earth refers to a renewal and an earthing of heaven, not starting over).
Adapted from When Enough is Enough: A Christian Framework for Environmental Sustainability, Edited by R.J. Berry, Published by Inter-Varsity Press, 2007, Nottingham p43+
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