Managing the Church

For council chairs, trustees, and others with gifts of administration

Caring for creation in the church building

by Darren Kropf

Our church buildings reflect who we are as a people by conveying our values and priorities to the local community. What values do you preach through your building? Simplicity? Community outreach? How about sustainability?

A resource-devouring building says a lot about our values. Rabbi Fred Sherlinder Dobb, whose synagogue received an Energy Star for Congregations, once remarked in an interview that “a space is only sacred if it’s ethical. It’s hard to feel we even have the right to build this without ensuring ‘first do no harm.’ ...And can a building even be called holy when not every step has been taken to ensure minimal effects?” With a little creativity, we can make our buildings a sign of God’s love for all of creation.

A common misconception is that technology is the key to energy efficiency. In reality, people’s behavioral changes are what create energy savings. Studies have shown that investing millions of dollars in energy-efficient technology can actually increase consumption if corresponding education on how to use these technologies is not implemented. So before you spend any money, look at your behaviors.

Churches should lead the transition to renewable energy resources.

Make a weekly schedule and track who uses the building and when. What are the needs of each group? After you determine your needs, tailor your technological capacity to suit them.

Next, look for ways to eliminate waste. Something as simple as planning all meetings in the same thermostatcontrolled area can result in considerable energy savings. Are some areas being lit or heated when not in use? A nocost option for reducing this waste is posting reminders by light switches and thermostats. (Consider asking some of the children to draw these. Who can say no to a child’s request that you turn off the lights when you leave?) Programmable thermostats and motion-sensor lights are a more reliable option if behavioral change is difficult, and they usually soon pay for themselves.

Finally, search for “phantom power.” Some appliances, such as TVs and VCRs, draw power even when they are turned off. Unplugging unused appliances or putting them on a power strip can save significant energy!

The next step is to assess the building itself. You can download the “Practical Guide for Improving the Efficiency of your Religious Building” from the Faith and the Common Good Web site, at www.faith-commongood.net. This free resource is a detailed walk-through energy audit tool, including energy-use templates on electrical, water, and heating and cooling use. Ask your trustees or licensed technicians in the congregation to complete this workbook. You will find some simple and lowcost ways to save energy, such as weather-stripping, furnace maintenance, and improved insulation.

However effective your volunteers may be, they are no substitute for trained professionals. Professional energy audits designed specifically for religious buildings are available in many jurisdictions. Their reports can give you a long-term assessment of your building, making it possible to prioritize potential savings as you manage your building into the future.

A common misconception is that technology is the key to energy efficiency.

Reducing your building’s energy consumption not only reduces harmful emissions that cause climate change but also lowers your utility bills. It’s a win-win situation! Energy conservation practicesare a powerful testament to caring for creation, and every church can easily implement them. However, keep in mind that becoming energyefficient is simply becoming “less bad”—surely disciples are called to more than that. Ultimately we must move from oil dependence to a state of sustainable living that is in line with the renewing capacities of the earth. Churches should lead the transition to renewable energy resources by considering geothermal, solar, and wind options. Especially when considering new building projects, challenge your architects to explore alternative forms of building design. While they may cost more initially, most renewable projects are cheaper in the long run, especially given the increasing cost of fossil fuels. Just imagine the new ministry possibilities when the energy bill comes in at zero!

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Darren Kropf is creation care program coordinator for MCC-Ontario, Canada. He is the pastor at Breslau Mennonite Church in Breslau, Ontario.