THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION TO MEET THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE

Toward Just and Sustainable Communities

Initiated in 1992 by the Program on Ecology, Justice and Faith
and the Center for Respect of Life and Environment (CRLE),
in collaboration with a panel of advisors, and with major funding from:

The MacArthur Foundation,
The Pew Charitable Trusts, and
The Humane Society of the United States.
Involves several hundred scholars and religious leaders in a North American network.
To join, see the form at the end of this page.

Theological Education to Meet the Environmental Challenge (TEMEC) seeks to make "eco-justice" - ecological integrity with social justice - a central focus of religious self-understanding; scholarship and teaching in higher education; and action at the personal, institutional, and social policy level. The basic norms of eco-justice ethics include: ecological sustainability, fair participation in social policy decisions, sufficiency of production-consumption, and community life that is celebrative, cares for otherkind, and uses appropriate technology.

MAJOR AIMS

 

To assist seminaries, schools of theology, colleges and universities to reform course work, community life, and institutional practice in order to better prepare religious, scientific, business, and professional leaders to meet the environmental challenge; and to strengthen a coalition of theoretician/practitioners dealing with the global/local "environmental" challenge, broadly defined.

 

To explore new dimensions of research and teaching on Ecology, Justice and Faith; and to foster professional development of scholars through special conferences and seminars that cross the fields of theology and connect with cognate disciplines in the humanities and sciences.

To engage theological educators in critical reflection on the issues and ethics of population, consumption, and environment; and to help an emerging set of academic and religious leaders to gain enough competence and confidence to take effective leadership in eco-justice education and citizenship.

To identify resources for teaching and to disseminate a few strategic publications that provide in-depth orientation for religious studies focused on renewing creation and seeking eco-justice.

To encourage praxis-based learning as well as better course offerings, and to foster campus-based initiatives in theological education to demonstrate just and sustainable institutional operations as well as public involvement.

To prepare the ground for regional cooperation in graduate studies and continuing education on ecology, justice, and religion.

PROGRAM FEATURES

CONFERENCES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TEMEC co-sponsors conferences and seminars that explore critical theological-ethical questions raised by the eco-justice crisis, discuss pertinent resources, and foster transformative teaching as well as institutional change. From 1993-99,TEMEC conducted a dozen major professional development events for teachers and students of theology and leaders of religious organizations in North America. Some subjects of our recent conferences were

EARTH ETHICS AND THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT, an international seminar held April 24-30, 1999 at the Ecumenical Institute, Chateau de Bossey, Celigny, Switzerland, brought Christians from several continents into the dialogue about the vision and values that undergird sustainable community, and how they relate to basic themes of Christian faith and ethics. For information, contact Dieter Hessel, Director PEJF (address, phone and e-mail at the end under Further Information).

STRATEGIC PUBLICATIONS

Theology for Earth Community: A Field Guide, edited by Dieter T. Hessel (Orbis Books, February, 1996), provides a comprehensive orientation to "state-of-the-art" scholarship and teaching across the fields of theological education. Crisp essays by seasoned teachers and emerging scholars bring participants in religious and environmental studies "up-to-speed" with the range and depth of Christian theological writing, plus aspects of inter-religious reflection. (Contact Orbis Books, 914/971-7590.)

Earth Ethics, a quarterly journal edited by Richard M. Clugston that examines basic assumptions, attitudes, and beliefs that underlie our relationship with the natural world. Recent issues excerpt selected papers given at TEMEC-sponsored conferences and provide information on the Earth Charter process. (Contact CRLE, 202/778-6133.)

 

"The Ethics of Population, Consumption, and Environment: Essays and Cases," a special issue of the journal Theology and Public Policy (1996, $5). Obtain copies from the CRLE address listed at end under "Further Information".

 

Christianity and Ecology: Seeking the Well-being of Earth and Humans, edited by Dieter T. Hessel and Rosemary Radford Ruether (Cambridge: Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions, January, 2000, 700 pp. paperbound, $26.95), a new resource in the series on Religions of the World and Ecology. This volume brings readers up to date with developments in ecotheology and ethics through the 1990s. The new essays published here define the contours of Christianity's ecological reformation presented by leaders in this field at TEMEC-sponsored conferences on Christianity & Ecology and Global Eco-Justice. The authors, who represent a broad mix of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox scholars, explore problematic themes that contribute to ecological neglect or abuse, and they offer constructive insight into faith and life that is ecologically responsible and socially just. Two outside readers have commented on Christianity & Ecology:

 

"This collection is by far the richest, most diverse, theologically sophisticated, ecologically informed, and innovative body of writings on Christianity that I have yet come across...It should be read not only by all theologians, but also by students and any others interested in the relevance of Christian faith to the healing of the Earth." -- John F. Haught, Professor of Theology, Georgetown University

 

"Theology, ethics, Biblical studies, pastoral practice, congregational politics, spirituality -- the spectrum of Chrfistian theological disciplines are here transformed under the influence of ecological science and nesw awareness of human kinship with all other creatures." -- Carol S. Robb, Professor of Christian Social Ethics, San Francisco Theological Seminary

LEAD INSTITUTIONS

TEMEC encourages schools and churches to develop: (a) educational programs that emphasize the eco-justice context; (b) "green" institutional operations (including energy, food, housing and investments); and (c) outreach efforts to assist the wider community in becoming just and sustainable. TEMEC provides strategic planning assistance; workshops on institutional praxis, curriculum and program consultation; and modest funding for "lead institutions" that commit their own resources to this agenda for transformation. Participants include:

Hendrix College, Conway, AR - Emphasizing global issues and sustainability as a major liberal arts focus.

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Meadville/Lombard Theological School, McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL - Cluster of Theological Schools in Hyde Park focusing on eco-justice ministry and citizenship.

Seattle University, Institute for Theological Studies, Seattle, WA - Featuring an integrative Ecological Studies Program and Sacred Earth on a campus committed to caring for creation.

The School of Theology at Claremont, Claremont, CA - Developing eco-justice course work, community life, policy advocacy, and institutional practices for justice and sustainability.

St. Thomas University, Miami, FL - Transforming major aspects of its entire curriculum according to an ecological perspective inspired by the work of Thomas Berry.

Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY - Focusing on the transformation of international, global education for eco-justice.

In addition, TEMEC is encouraging lead institution initiatives in the following schools:

Andover Newton Theological School (Newton, MA)
Baylor University (Waco, TX)
Toronto School of Theology (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH)
Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC)

 

CURRENT INITIATIVES

* TEMEC encourages and publicizes professional development conferences designed to help teachers and students of theology and religious leaders meet the environmental challenge. Now that such events are more frequently initiated by particular schools, we are calling attention to those offerings rather than planning and conducting our own professional development conferences. TEMEC provides modest seed money for faculty development seminars that: explore the vision and practice of earth community / environmental responsibility; focus on special aspects of ecotheology and eco-justice education, develop interdisciplinary knowledge to build sustainable community, or foster skills pertinent to earthkeeping ministry.

 

* TEMEC continues to offer technical assistance and support to "Lead Institutions" as they pursue their 3-fold commitment to permeate academic programs, to "green" institutional practices, and to engage in public outreach. An available and tested tool for universities and seminaries to utilize in preparing to make a similar commitment is the "Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), prepared with TEMEC input by University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (www.ulsf.org ; e-mail: ulsf@aol.com), an affiliate of CRLE. TEMEC also partly subsidizes participation by representatives of lead institutions in the higher education working group described below.

 

* TEMEC connects scholars in theology, religion and ethics with leading programs that interweave environmental and religious studies. Because cross-disciplinary research and learning with spiritual resonance is essential to meeting the environmental challenge, TEMEC participates actively in annual meetings of a "Higher Education Working Group for Eco-Justice" organized by CRLE. The working group brings together scholar-teachers from various disciplines including religious studies who are involved in the process of transforming academic programs and institutions to meet the environmental challenge. We explore and pinpoint emphases in curriculum and pedagogy that equip persons entering diverse professions to comprehend the needed paradigm shift and to serve ecological integrity in linkage with social justice.

 

* Another strategic resource fostered by TEMEC for its network and a wider ecumenical audience is the book, Ecumenical Earth: New Dimensions of Church and Community in Creation, edited by Larry Rasmussen and Dieter Hessel (Fortress Press paperback being published Spring, 2001). This volume, growing out of the conference by the same name held at Auburn and Union Seminaries, NY, concentrates on implications of the crisis of earth community for the church's self-understanding and engagement.

 

* TEMEC supports the Chicago Theological Initiative in Eco-Justice, a coordinated effort of Chicago area seminaries, linked with universities and civic organizations, to prepare students for environmental ministry. It involves faculty coordination of course offerings and special opportunities field education that link churches with civil society groups. An M.Div or M.A. concentration in Eco-Justice Studies is being offered at two of the participating theological schools. For more information, click on the Chicago Theological Initiative at www.webofcreation.org. (TEMEC also calls attention to but does not try to replicate the resources for congregations publicized on the Web of Creation and by the National Religious Partnership for the Environment.)

 

* TEMEC encourages study and response to the Earth Charter, and active participation by students of religion and ethics in the Earth Charter USA campaign, as a coherent way to grapple with fundamental changes needed in human attitudes, values, and ways of living for the sake of earth community. The Charter has involved years of consultative dialogue with civil society groups around the world, guided by an international drafting committee formed by the Earth Council. The resulting 6-page holistic, layered document articulates the inspirational vision, basic values, and essential principles needed in a global ethic for Century 21. Besides exposing the path toward sustainability with justice for people of all ages in every sector of society, the Earth Charter offers an integrated value framework for evaluating environmental issues responses, public policy choices, business and professional codes of conduct, and community lifestyles. For more information about the Earth Charter text and campaign, go to www.earthcharterusa.org.

TEMEC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thomas Berry, Historian of Cultures

Greensboro, NC

John B. Cobb, Jr., Co-Director

Center for Process Studies, Claremont, CA

Thomas Dozeman, Professor of Old Testament

United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH

Job Ebenezer, Director, Environmental Stewardship

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL

Robert Edgar, General Secretary,

National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., NYC

J. Ronald Engel, Professor of Social Ethics,

Meadville/Lombard Theological School, Chicago, IL

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, Director

The Reformed Church in America, New York, NY

Heidi Hadsell, Director

Ecumenical Institute, Chateau De Bossey, Switzerland

Theodore Hiebert, Professor of Hebrew Bible

McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL

Joe Holland, Visiting Professor in Philosophy and Religion

St. Thomas University, Miami, FL

John A. Hoyt, Chief Executive

The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, DC

Thomas L. Hoyt Jr., Presiding Bishop, Fourth District

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Shreveport, LA

Loretta Jancoski, Director

Institute for Theological Studies, Seattle, WA

Carol E. Johnston, Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture

Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN

Stan LeQuire, Director

Evangelical Environmental Network, Wynnewood, PA

Jay McDaniel, Director

Steele Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy, Conway, AR

Joan Martin-Brown, Adviser to the Vice President

Environmentally Sustainable Development, The World Bank, Washington, DC

James Parks Morton, President

Interfaith Center of New York, NY

James Nash, Executive Director

The Churches' Center on Theology and Public Policy, Washington, DC

Larry Rasmussen, Professor of Social Ethics

Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY

Rosemary Radford Ruether, Professor of Theology

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL

David Rhoads, Professor of New Testament

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago, IL

J. Stephen Rhodes, Rural Advisory Consultant, Berea, KY

Mary Evelyn Tucker, Associate Professor of Religion, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

 

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Dieter T. Hessel
Director
Program on Ecology, Justice and Faith
1 Astor Court
Princeton, NJ 08540
Tel: 609/951-0126
Fax: 951-9602
E-mail: dthessel@aol.com

Richard M. Clugston
Executive Director
CRLE
2100 L Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Tel: 202-778-6133
Fax: 778-6138
E-Mail: CRLE@aol.com

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