Today, I want to talk about the Church of England – climate or Christ? In this blog post (based on my latest video), I want to respond to a Facebook Reel I watched from the Church of England. In the clip, a gentleman speaks about caring for creation, reducing carbon footprints, and climate leadership within the Church.
Let me be clear from the outset: looking after the countryside and caring for the environment is a good thing. Having been involved in agriculture and horticulture, I appreciate good stewardship. I like to see farms kept tidy, land managed well, and the countryside treated with respect.
But the question I’m raising here is not whether Christians should be careless with creation. The question is about priorities.
Stewardship is Biblical, but What is the Church’s Mission?
In Genesis 2:15 we read:
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)
That verse supports stewardship. We are not meant to be wasteful or reckless. The earth is not ours to abuse.
However, stewardship is not the same thing as the Church’s central mission.
When I hear Church leaders speak as though climate issues are “essential for the mission of God’s Church”, I can’t help but ask: where does Scripture teach that?
I do not see a “carbon footprint commission” in the New Testament. But I do see something else very clearly.
The Earth Belongs to the Lord
Psalm 24 reminds us who the earth belongs to:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalm 24:1–2)
God is the Creator. He sustains what He has made. That truth should produce gratitude and humility in us.
But the same Bible that teaches God made the world also teaches that this present world is temporary, and that every human being will spend eternity somewhere.
Creation Can Inspire Awe, But the Word Brings Conviction
Yes, the natural world is beautiful. I see God’s creation every day, and it is astonishing. But beauty alone does not save anyone.
People are not born again by admiring trees, fields, rivers, or sunsets.
People come to Christ through the power of the gospel, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God.
That is why the Church must never drift into a place where creation care becomes the headline, and the cross becomes a footnote.
The Great Commission is Clear
Jesus gave the Church a mission, and it is not vague. In Mark 16 we read:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15–16)
That is the priority. Preach the gospel. Make disciples. Call people to repentance and faith. See people saved.
The Church exists to proclaim Christ crucified and risen.
This World Will Not Last Forever
One reason I struggle with climate fear-mongering is that the Bible tells us where history is heading. In 2 Peter 3:10 we read:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)
This does not mean we should be careless. But it does mean we must be realistic about what is ultimate, and what is temporary.
Souls are eternal. The planet, as it currently exists, is not.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of what is coming:
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” (Revelation 21:1)
God is not trying to “patch up” a broken world forever. He is bringing history to its appointed end, and He will make all things new.
That should lift our eyes beyond political talking points and modern slogans. It should bring us back to the gospel, and to eternity.
Why I’m Concerned About the Church’s Direction
My concern is not that Christians care about creation. My concern is what happens when the Church starts to sound more like a sustainability organisation than the pillar and ground of the truth.
When the Church emphasises climate campaigning more than preaching Christ, a few things often happen:
- Sin is redefined (from rebellion against God to merely “harming the environment”).
- Repentance is rarely mentioned.
- The cross becomes sidelined.
- The urgency of salvation fades.
The Church must not lose its mission.
I Was an Atheist, But Jesus Changed My Life
I also share in the video that I once called myself an atheist. But I was convicted of sin, I saw the light that Jesus brings, and I realised there is a better way. The new birth is real, and Jesus is alive.
If you want a clear, step-by-step explanation of how to come to Christ, please read my post here:
How To Accept Jesus Christ Today
And if you are ready to respond to Jesus, you can pray something like this sincerely from the heart:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins and I ask You today to take complete control of every aspect of my life. Amen.”
If you prayed that and you meant it, please let me know in the comments. It is always encouraging to hear from new believers.
Final Thoughts
We should care about creation, but we must prioritise the Great Commission.
The Church is called to preach the gospel, make disciples, and point people to Jesus Christ. That is the mission. And in the days we are living in, it has never been more urgent.
Thank you for reading, and if you have thoughts on this topic, feel free to leave a comment below.