What does your congregation ask about climate change? Part 2

Over the years, I’ve talked with many Christian congregations and groups about climate change. In the course of these conversations, I’ve discovered that there are three questions that come up over and again. Why not speak proactively to these concerns in your preaching? 

Part 2: What is the point of doing anything? 

This is a very understandable question. I could go and live in a shed and eat nothing but carrots for the rest of my days, and it would not change the health of the planet one iota. When we look at politics and business, we see that decisions are being made that are way beyond our control or even our knowledge. The question ‘what’s the point?’ can be asked in many moods, from anger to paralysis to despair. 

Gospel stories of Jesus’ encounters reveal that sometimes even reasonable questions are asked for devious reasons. Should I pay tax to Caesar? A very good question. But the asker may simply be trying to stir up trouble. Similarly, it’s worth stopping to ask ourselves, why am I asking this question? Am I trying to extricate myself from the human inclinations towards evil that have caused this mess?   

People often ask the ‘what’s the point?’ question in the specific form ‘… when China/the US are so much worse?’ And then, the conversation no longer needs to be about the person who asked the question – or so they hope. The reason for asking the question in this form is to find a method of deflection: a reason not to have to face up to a spiritually overwhelming topic or its potential implications for discipleship. 

For Christians, the answer to ‘what’s the point of doing anything?’ entails revisiting the gospel message. Why do we do anything that is good? Not in order to please God, or to fix the world on God’s behalf. Rather, the good things that we do – when we manage it! – are an outflowing of our love and gratitude to God for our salvation. 

We don’t act to solve things; we act because God first loved us. When we ‘do good things’ in an environmental sense, it is part of our thankful response to salvation. God calls us to the most radical life of compassion that we can manage. This includes every dimension of our lives, not least the consumption choices that are available to us within the system that we inhabit.  

We may discover that by entering more deeply into the life of simplicity described in Jesus’ sermon on the mount, we enlarge our scope of thankfulness to include gratitude for the earth which God has created, as well as the means by which we, and it, are redeemed. 

There is biblical precedent for challenging the defeatist element of the ‘what’s the point’ question. Scripture contains many stories that speak to the unexpected and miraculous results that can occur when God’s people act according to God’s will. The rebuilding of the temple is one example (Nehemiah). The spreading of the gospel amongst the gentiles is another (Acts). When all seems lost, time and again God intervenes to bring hope amidst despair.   

Secular sociology gives similar encouragement. A minority viewpoint or practice can create a tipping point for behavioural change in society, especially when that minority is really committed. And what is the church if not a committed minority? Acting together means that we encourage one another, and who knows where our collective body, inspired by the Spirit, might lead. It’s important to encourage our congregations that we know that it is possible for God to bless faithfulness, to do more than we can ‘ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3:20). 

So, what is the point of doing anything? The point is that we don’t do it for the outcome, but as a thankful and sacrificial response to God’s grace. And, who knows, the church might after all end up as a prophetic force for meaningful change. 

Read Part 1 and Part 3 of the series 

Learn more about this topic 

St Augustine's College of Theology, Kent, has put the project ‘Discipleship for a Planet in Crisis’ at the heart of its educational and worshipping life. As part of this project, it has developed two new courses to help people take their questions further. One is an MA suitable for committed learners: Theology for a Planet in Crisis. The other is a short, online course suitable for everybody: God, the Planet & Us.   

About the author 

Charlotte Sleigh is Director of the project ‘Discipleship for a Planet in Crisis’ at St Augustine's College of Theology, Kent, and is associate priest in the parish of St Martin and St Paul, Canterbury.