Stewardship of the land

How to be responsible stewards of your church land 

Most churches have at least some land around their church building for which they are stewards. Even most urban churches have at least a little land - and care of this green space is even more important in an urban setting where there is so little habitat.

First, do no harm! Consider your use of pesticides and herbicides, especially for merely ornamental purposes. There is a lot of evidence that even the common, everyday pesticides and herbicides cause harm to people (especially children), pets, and other living things, such as birds. As stewards of God's creation, should we be using these poisons in order to have an attractive lawn?

Second, consider the kinds of plantings and landscaping you are using on your church property. Reducing your lawn area and replacing it with  plantings of native trees, bushes, and plants will provide habitat for God's creatures that need the kinds of berries, nectar, seeds, and shelter that are native to this area. (Here's a fun story about a conversation between St. Francis and God concerning lawns.) And, as God's true handiwork - not human's version - is revealed, it becomes a spiritual resource.

After all, if a more natural landscaping full of the trees, bushes, and plantings God provided for us in Central New York was good enough for God, shouldn't it be good enough for us???

Third, consider developing an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat, a Quiet Garden, or both! This would be a living demonstration of stewardship of our land - and also provide unique spiritual resources for the members of the congregation and for the neighborhood in which your church resides.

Even with a small pocket of land, your congregation can role model stewardship of your church's piece of Earth, however small. It will surely inspire members of your congregation to create similar habitats in their own backyards. The National Wildlife Federation has many useful materials and even offers an official certification that your church's "backyard" meets the criteria for being a habitat. Here's the story ("Churches at Work") of how one church considered their land as a witness and discovered the joy of using their property as a  reflection of their belief in God and their relationship to their community. This visible sign of another congregation's stewardship of God's creation can also become a beautiful place for meditation.

Consider creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat in an Assisted Living Center or a Ronald McDonald House that allows residents to enjoy the beauty and therapeutic benefits of nature.

Multiply the benefits!

Don't stop at stewardship of your church's own property. Think of all the land owned by all the members of your congregation. This is a real opportunity to foster responsible stewardship of an even greater piece of God's creation. Here's an example of one of our member's backyard.