The eco-mission of the church in a critical time

Resources for Study and Conversation

The following resources will help provide foundational knowledge and perspectives to help church leaders and congregations build capacity and muscle to take effective and faithful and impactful Climate Action.  

  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A one-stop shop for the science on climate change. Note especially the non-technical reports for policy-makers and the public. View the most recent Synthesis Report. 
  • Global Weirding. Christian Canadian climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe produces non-technical videos addressing common questions around the science of climate change, solutions for climate change, and how people of faith can think about these things. 
  • Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Our denominational confession of faith, including a key statement on “Christian Stewardship” which calls for care of creation.  
  • A joint statement on climate change. The first ever joint statement by the leaders of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Communion, together representing the vast majority of Christians in the world. 
  • Laudato Si. An encyclical letter from Pope Francis, “On Care for Our Common Home,” incorporating ideas paralleled in Anabaptist theology and ethics. 
  • Living More with Less, by Dorothy Janzen Longacre.  Simple living comes from an Anabaptist understanding of what it means to follow Jesus faithfully, paying attention to his teachings on wealth and possessions and trust in God, and following in his way of simplicity. Simple living requires a re-orientation in how we think about wealth and privilege, and it calls us live in generosity, hospitality, hopefulness, and joy. 
  • Faithful Climate Conversation and Action Discernment Guides – these resources from For the Love of Creation can help any group begin building climate action capacity by opening the conversation about climate in a way that starts with personal experiences and helps move the group to motivated action.  
  • Every Creature Singing. The Canadian edition of a resource produced by Mennonite Creation Care Network, this is a study guide for small-group discussion on the biblical/theological basis for creation care, pursuing climate justice and peace, and developing a sustainable lifestyle. 
  • God’s Green Church. Produced by MC Canada’s Sustainability Leadership Group in partnership with King’s University College, this is a guide for congregations looking to develop a “green committee” to guide the church toward environmental sustainability. 
  • International Institute for Sustainable Development is an award-winning independent think tank working to create a world where people and the planet thrive. 
  • Project Drawdown advances “effective, science-based climate solutions and strategies; fostering bold, new climate leadership; and promoting new climate narratives and new voices.”  
  • Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Plan outlines the Federal Government’s 2023-25 plan to develop 'sustainable jobs' which are compatible with Canada's path to a net-zero emissions and climate resilient future. 
  • A Good War. This book by Seth Klein was the focus of a 2021 MC Canada study group sponsored by the SLG. Klein explores what needs to happen in Canadian political, economic, and social structures for us to respond effectively to climate change. 
  • Faith Climate Justice Waterloo Region. An initiative started by MCEC congregations and a great example of what faith communities working together for local municipal action can look like. 

See also:

Why get involved in climate action? A guide for climate action discernment. 

A Call to Action for Mennonite Church Canada

We call on all members, congregations, and regional churches of our Mennonite Church Canada family to join together in this eco-mission. We must act, we must act together, and we must act urgently. We encourage all to explore what we can do (as individuals, congregations, and regions) to:

  • reduce fossil fuel use 
  • reduce consumption of disposables and support local resourcing of goods and services,
  • walk in solidarity with Indigenous people and other land and water defenders,  
  • attend to those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change,  
  • call on governments and energy corporations to act for a just transition to green energy 

Click here for help on understanding why the church must act on Climate Action! 

Content on this page is modified from Taking Action On Climate: The Eco Mission of the Church which was prepared by the Executive Ministers of Mennonite Church Canada and its five regional churches—Mennonite Churches British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Eastern Canada—after consultation with the Joint Council of Mennonite Church Canada. We are grateful to members of our MC Canada family who have prompted us toward these initiatives.