Seminar Series: Creation Care at Journey

Hearing God’s Heart; Responding to God’s Call

Facilitated by:
Harry Watkins, Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing, Strategy and Sustainability
Fermanian School of Business

Our objective with this seminar series is to explore together what God might be calling us to be and do as stewards of the earth. Why should we care? What is the connection between Creation Care and care for the poor and concern for our neighbor? Can Creation Care be part of how we image God to the world? What are the practical implications for us individually, as a church, and as citizens? Finally, should we at Journey embrace Creation Care as a logical expression of our “DNA”? Should we initiate a Creation Care ministry here at Journey?

Schedule/Topics/Activities

The following are tentative class topics, all to be facilitated by Harry Watkins (a Journey regular).

God’s Heart for Creation and Our Calling as Stewards
Sunday, February 7, 2016

What does the Bible say about God’s view of Creation and our role in it? If the universe was created through Christ, and is being redeemed by Christ, what does that imply for us as Christ followers? Are we living as “the children of God” for whom creation is waiting in eager expectation?  (Rom 8:19)

A “Situation Analysis” on the World’s Health: Creation is Indeed Groaning!
Sunday, February 14, 2016

An honest assessment of the current condition of the Earth: its forests, grasslands, soil, oceans, and biodiversity, and at projections given current trends. We will talk about the concept of an environmental footprint, measure our own and look at the footprint of mankind on the earth. We will examine the moral implications of consuming more than our fair share of the Earth’s productive capacity.

The Economic Case for Creation Care: is “Sustainability” Good Business?
Sunday, February 21, 2016

One of the common objections for prioritizing environmental concerns is that this is bad for business, i.e., it hurts the economy and job creation. Is this true? We will examine the powerful 4-part business case for sustainable business that has achieved a growing consensus among business leaders world-wide. Is the shift from fossil fuels to alternative energy “a job killer”?

Taking Action: Caring for Creation in the Home
Sunday, February 28, 2016

What can we do as individuals and families to care for creation and to reduce our environmental footprints? We will look at consumption vs. simplicity as an act of faith. We will consider energy, water, food, housing and transportation choices that might be consistent with a decision to embrace stewardship of creation as a vital dimension of following Christ.

Taking Action: Caring for Creation as a Church
Sunday, March 6, 2016

What can Journey do as a church to embrace Creation Care as part of its DNA? How can we build on our investment in Solar Panels to further reduce our waste, energy and water use, etc? How can we as a body of believers help one another to better live up to our calling as stewards of creation?

Taking Action: Caring for Creation in La Mesa and Beyond
Sunday, March 13, 2016

What would a Creation Care ministry look like at Journey? How can we as a group of believers influence and work with the La Mesa community and the world beyond to better care for creation? How might a Creation Care ministry complement and further our engagement with the poor in Haiti and elsewhere? We may host representatives of Plant with Purpose, and the Sustainability Officer of the City of San Diego to discuss possibilities with us.