The title on my thumbnail today is “Church Of England – Saving Butterflies Or Souls?” Today, I want to share some thoughts on something I found quite surprising — and a little concerning — about the Church of England’s recent activities. If you’re interested in the Church of England, you can find more blog posts and videos here.
On their official website, the Church of England posted a press release titled:
“Church Commissioners for England Give Wings to Butterfly Conservation Efforts.”
They have agreed a new lease with Butterfly Conservation to support the habitat at Magdalen Hill Down, a beautiful nature reserve near Winchester, in the South Downs National Park.
While it’s great to see the countryside being looked after — especially when it’s done in a traditional, natural way — I believe it’s important that churches remember their primary calling: to save souls, not just butterflies.
You Can Watch My Full Video On This Topic Below
Conservation vs. Soul Winning: Where Should The Church’s Priorities Lie?
I completely agree with caring for nature. Creation care is part of good stewardship. But when it comes to the mission of the Church, our first responsibility is to preach the Gospel and lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Reading through the Church of England’s press release, I noticed something very telling. There was no mention of Jesus, no mention of the Gospel, and no mention of saving souls — only butterflies.
It left me wondering: Has the Church lost sight of its true mission?
I know there are many faithful, genuine believers within the Church of England who must find it frustrating to see such a shift in priorities. My concern is not directed at them but at the direction the institution seems to be heading.
A Powerful Contrast: Jonathan Shuttlesworth’s Focus On Souls
For comparison, I mentioned Jonathan Shuttlesworth, a modern-day evangelist and pastor.
In just three years, he has planted four thriving churches across Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, Arizona, and Los Angeles. His focus is simple and powerful: preach the Gospel and win souls.
His Twitter bio says:
“I cause problems for the devil. Professionally: Evangelist and Pastor of Revival Today.”
This kind of focus is exactly what the early Church demonstrated — and exactly what we still need today.
Interestingly, even when I asked ChatGPT (an AI) about true Christianity, it gave a very clear answer:
“True Christianity, Biblical Jesus-centered Christianity, cleanses the inside of a person in a way Islam never can. Jesus didn’t say to obey outward rules; He said to cleanse the inside of the cup first (Matthew 23:26). Real change comes from a regenerated heart — born again — not forced external behavior. Christianity demands internal transformation by the Holy Spirit.”
What Does The Bible Say About The Church’s Mission?
Let’s remind ourselves what the Bible says about the church’s purpose:
Mark 16:15–18 — The Great Commission
“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.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Notice it says preach the gospel — not just good works or conservation projects.
Matthew 4:19 — Fishers Of Men
“Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’
They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Our calling is still the same today: win people for Christ.
Matthew 10:7–8 — Heal, Preach, Set People Free
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
There’s no mention of saving butterflies. The focus is clear: saving souls and demonstrating the power of God.
Luke 14:23 — Fill the House of God
“Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'”
The mission is to fill the Father’s house — to bring as many people into the Kingdom as possible.
Are We Prioritising The Right Things?
I’m all for looking after the land and creation. But the Church must never forget:
Saving souls is our highest priority.
The contrast between Jonathan Shuttlesworth’s work and the Church of England’s butterfly campaign is stark.
One is seeing thousands saved and lives transformed.
The other seems focused on environmental projects that, while good in themselves, cannot bring eternal life.
Would You Like To Know Jesus Personally?
If you’re reading this and you’re not yet a Christian, I would love to invite you to pray a simple prayer — just like I did many years ago.
Jesus came to give life — and life more abundantly. He came to forgive sin, to make us new creations, and to bring the wonderful gift of eternal life.
If you’d like to receive Him today, simply pray:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Savior 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 said that prayer sincerely and you’re willing to turn away from your old ways, you can receive the wonderful gift of salvation — and be born again.
Final Thoughts
It’s vital that the Church — and every believer — keeps their eyes on the real mission:
Winning souls, making disciples, and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let’s never forget what matters most.
Feel free to watch the full video above and leave your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear what you think about this topic.
Thanks for reading, and God bless!