First Steps to Green a Congregation


Getting Started and Keeping Going: The Overall Plan Use these following steps to become a Green Congregation: Gather a small group of people (two to eight) to serve as a Green Team. Become familiar with the Green Congregation program (see entire manual). Inform/involve the pastor(s)/staff of your interest and commitment. Approach the church governing board for authorization to proceed. Develop an Action Plan for the congregation in several areas. Worship Education Buildings and Grounds Discipleship at Home and Work Public Ministry Work with the appropriate committees and individuals to carry out the Action Plan. Promote among the members your identity as a congregation that cares for creation. Meet regulary (at least monthly) to follow the Action Plan and to develop new projects. Consider a congregation project to benefit the larger community. Find structural ways to assure the long term life and activities of the Green Team. Apply to be certified as a Green Congregation and request that the church's governing board adopt the Green Congregation Mission Statement. Throughout this website you will find many resources and suggestions for taking each of the steps listed above. You can begin anywhere. Gravitate to what motivates you. However, we encourage you and members of your Green Team to read the manual through one time and to do so every year or so in your work. Also, make it available to your congregation and to new Green Team members.

Getting Started and Keeping Going:
The Overall Plan

Use these following steps to become a Green Congregation:

Gather a small group of people (two to eight) to serve as a Green Team.
Become familiar with the Green Congregation program (see entire manual).
Inform/involve the pastor(s)/staff of your interest and commitment.
Approach the church governing board for authorization to proceed.
Develop an Action Plan for the congregation in several areas.
Work with the appropriate committees and individuals to carry out the Action Plan.
Promote among the members your identity as a congregation that cares for creation.
Meet regulary (at least monthly) to follow the Action Plan and to develop new projects.
Consider a congregation project to benefit the larger community.
Find structural ways to assure the long term life and activities of the Green Team.
Apply to be certified as a Green Congregation and request that the church's governing board adopt the Green Congregation Mission Statement.

Throughout this website you will find many resources and suggestions for taking each of the steps listed above. You can begin anywhere. Gravitate to what motivates you. However, we encourage you and members of your Green Team to read the manual through one time and to do so every year or so in your work. Also, make it available to your congregation and to new Green Team members.