Jump to... Creation care as Christian mission | Our response | What you can do | Further information
Photo credit: Maranda St John Nicolle
Creation care as Christian mission
The fifth mark of mission states that as Christians, we are ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’ This planet is in crisis. Climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are threatening life on earth. The science has been clear for a long time – the world is on the brink, and it is humanity’s exploitation of the earth and its resources that have led us to this point.
But it’s not too late.
The fifth mark of mission recognises that environmental issues and the state of the earth are not just the responsibility of scientists, ecologists, conservationists or so-called ‘eco-warriors’. They are an integral part of what it means to be a Christian. As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves. To love God is to love all that he has made and created. And to love our neighbours as ourselves is to ensure that our actions and decisions are a force for good, not harm.
We cannot show love to God and neighbour without acting for the good of creation.
Learn more about the fifth mark of mission as part of a new online course exploring all five marks, now live on the Learning Hub.
Jump to.. | Our response | What you can do | Further information
How are we responding in the Diocese of Oxford?
Since declaring a climate emergency in March 2020, as a diocese we have committed to becoming an Eco diocese, working through the awards with an aim to achieve silver by 2026. This encompasses every aspect of creation care, thinking about our policies, training programmes, procurement, investment, building and land management, and wider engagement with churches and communities through Eco Church.
What can I do?
Responding to the climate emergency can feel complex, challenging, and often unaffordable. There are many different – sometimes conflicting – messages, but here are four ways you can respond.
1. Inform
Enrol onto our new ‘five marks of mission’ course on the learning hub. Watch this video series from the Lausanne Global Classroom. Visit our EcoHub for book recommendations, courses and factsheets. Listen to our podcast.
2. Pray
Prayer is at the heart of Christian worship. Regularly praying for the environmental crisis, for those affected, for world leaders, and for local action, is vital. Use this monthly prayer resource from ‘Pray and Fast for the Climate’, follow Christian Aid’s daily prayer diary or sign up to Tearfund’s prayer email.
3. Act
More than 60% of the change required to get to net zero involves personal behavioural change by individuals and communities in the three areas of transport, home heating and diet. Try these nine ways to care for creation, pledge to Take the Jump, or participate in Count Us In for ideas that make a real difference.
4. Advocate
One of the biggest ways we can bring about change is through conversation. Whether speaking to family, friends, community leaders or politicians, advocating for the planet, and for people affected by climate impacts, drives change at a societal level. Download this guide on having climate conversations, or receive use these resources to help engage with your MP. Several churches are hosting screenings of the People's Emergency Briefing film. A resource pack for churches doing so has been produced. Read more here.
Energy Footprint Tool
Each year, we ask all churches to complete the national Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) and are very grateful to all that do. This data tracks our progress towards net zero carbon, helps us allocate national grants, and enables us to better support parishes with their energy use. To be eligible to apply for energy or net zero carbon related funding from the diocese or the national church your church will need to have completed the EFT.
You will need access to your church’s 2025 energy bills, so you can add up the total of each fuel type used for the year. The online tool has closed to churches now but we have access during July so can add data in if for you if you contact us. Once completed you see a carbon footprint for your church, so can monitor change over time. Guidance, FAQs and a walk through video are all available.
Common Ground podcast and action by our churches
Bishop Mary talks to people from our Diocese with expertise in different topics in a series of six conversational podcasts called Common Ground. Listen on Spotify (no account needed) or find them on Apple Podcasts. Those featured are Professor Chris Merchant on his work in ocean and climate observation and how faith can shape responses to environmental challenges; Farmer Henry Astor on farming well and how local can communities reconnect with the land; Dr Mike Moorcroft on climate resilient habitats, rewilding, and nature recovery alongside food production; the Revd Canon Janet Binns on the impacts of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and their resilience; broadcaster Krish Kandiah on offering sanctuary in a world shaped by conflict, displacement and climate change; and Rachael Orr on having meaningful conversations on climate change.
To be inspired further by churches, schools and people taking action for creation across the diocese watch this short video and read these stories.
Several churches are hosting screenings of the People's Emergency Briefing film from the National Emergency Briefings. A resource pack for churches doing so has been produced. Read more here.
You can also visit the pages below for more ways your church can respond to the climate and ecological crises.
More information
Eco Church
Easy-to-follow advice on sustainability, reducing energy consumption and saving money for your church, no matter your tradition or location.
Energy audits
Arrange a subsidised energy audit to inform efforts to reduce your church carbon footprint.
Net zero
Supporting our churches, schools, vicarages, offices to reduce emissions as far as possible, and looking at the impact of some of our resources.
Biodiversity
Information on supporting biodiversity in a churchyard or church garden and programmes to get involved in.
EcoHub resource library
Your one-stop shop for information, practical advice and theological reflection on how we can best care for God’s creation.
Support and guidance
A collection of resources to enable everyone to respond to the climate and ecological crisis.