Disciples and the Stewardship of Creation , A Little History
by Greg Alexander, CCK General Minister

At the 1977 General Assembly a resolution was passed that called into existence the Task Force on Christian Life Style and Ecology. I had the privilege of serving on that Task Force from 1986-92. When I joined the members of the Task Group had already done some significant work. One of the most significant was the development of the Alverna Covenant. This covenant invites all Disciples into a covenant with God to live sustainably and in harmony with God's creation. It was a magnificent statement when it was created in 1977. Thirty years later it is no less magificent or relevant. Please take the time to read and reflect upon it before moving to other resources on this page.

Today, the original Task Force is no longer in existence but the foundation it established for new generations of Disciples to faithfully confront the serious threats to planet earth in the 21st century remains strong. Through the internet's ability to resource us differently than was required in the 1970's and 1980's, the work of the original Task Force has morphed into a very helpful webpage of resources developed by Angela Hermann at Disciples Home Misions. In addition, a wonderful new congregational study resource has been developed by the Office of Disciples Women.

Today, the internet allows us to stay connected to the work of many other denominations and organizations devoted to the stewardship of creation. Lack of information has been removed as an excuse for not doing our part. Now, it comes down to a matter of will and understanding the urgency with which we must act as the people of God and citizens of a hurting planet. Friends, we must act now!

I believe that the time has come for us to reclaim the Alverna Covenant and our faith commitment to God in preserving and protecting God's creation. The members of the Stewardship of Creation Task Group believe so, too. Our task is to raise the consciousness of Kentucky Disciples to the vital need of being good stewards of God's creation as an act of deep faith (biblically and theologically grounded) in ways that call us to act as part of our Christian witness. Please join the members of the SCTG and me in signing the Alverna Covenant and changing our lifestyles so that we, too, can live sustainably and in right relationship with God and in harmony with all that God calls good.