Across the country, the emerging generation is leading the way in caring for creation. In some cases, “caring for” has turned into “worship of,” but EFCA leaders know the difference. Meet Josh Carroll, youth pastor and church-planting intern at Ambassador Church (EFCA) in Brea, Calif.—as well as married father of three and M.A. student at Talbot School of Theology.

Why is creation-care such a big issue now?

Josh: A couple of generations ago, Christians were content to live in their suburban churches, have their lives neatly cordoned off and not worry about people on the fringe of society. Now, important issues like social justice, racial reconciliation, mercy ministry and creation-care are gaining prominence.

Sadly, these concerns can become paramount in some church cultures, and a Christ-centered relationship gets pushed into the background. We have to address these concerns while at the same time keeping our theology sound. In short, loving God causes us to love the things He values.

Isn’t there a risk of going liberal if we’re going green?

Josh: In the past, environmental issues were addressed by the more liberal element of Christianity. Therefore, to express interest in the environment was to be labeled as a liberal by other conservatives, and the assumption followed that you harbored liberal tendencies in every other issue.

I show people that my foundation for caring about the environment is rooted in Scripture and grown out of my devotion to God rather than a devotion to creation. That’s when the Holy Spirit starts to take off with the conversation.

Be honest: Are you a tree-hugging liberal?

Josh: I do have a hat with a picture of a tree and the word “hugger” written under it. When I’m wearing it on campus at Talbot, I see people looking at it and becoming uncomfortable: Oh man, I thought I had this guy figured out. They think I could be a liberal or one of these fringe people who is actually hugging trees. They become wary, even adversarial, when we talk about other things, although I’m probably on the same page as them on every other issue.

When did creation-care become important to you?

Josh: When I moved to California in 2006, it was such a huge issue here that I began exploring it theologically, to figure out what God was saying through Scripture. I found that it’s not about worshipping creation; it’s about worshipping our Creator—then, treating His gift respectfully.

How can church leaders begin to address this?

Josh: It’s a hard topic because of the stigma attached to it. But it’s an easy topic because you see God’s creation everywhere.

Start by searching Scripture yourself. Look up God’s view of creation (Psalms 65 and 104); study how He has chosen His creation to reveal Himself to mankind (Romans 1:19-21, Psalms 19, Isaiah 40-42); ask God what your individual responsibility is in light of His Word (Genesis 1:27-30, Hebrews 11:3). We respond in faith to what God has revealed in Scripture, and Scripture shows God’s love for His creation.

Likewise for your church, the first practical step is awareness. Ask your people to stop and ponder God’s creation rather than breezing by it, jumping in the car and turning on their air conditioner. Challenge them to meditate on the passages listed above. Then encourage them to act on what God reveals to them, and watch as the Holy Spirit takes over!

What resources might you recommend for the next steps?

Josh: Find out what other churches are doing to “go green” by googling news articles. There are even organizations that combine missions and environmental issues [see careofcreation.net].

People fear what they don’t understand. But when you give people practical steps, they’ll say, “This is not hard,” and it’s not scary because the Holy Spirit is in it. Basically, people who love God are going to want to take part in the things of God.

Admittedly, there’s a lot of fringe stuff out there too. I used to be the conservative, Bible Belt evangelical who believed, If anything’s different, draw in the fences and throw rocks at it. Now I say, “Take a look at it, and discern what God is telling you. The more liberal stuff that doesn’t put God first and that falls outside the boundaries of Scripture, toss it aside.”

Any last words for us?

Josh: Creation-care is for everybody—not just liberals in California.

Read Josh’s blog and contact him at www.pastorcoolguy.wordpress.com.