What is eco-ministry? What does an eco-minister do? These are questions i am often asked when i share my passion and vocational call.
The realm of eco-ministry or eco-chaplaincy is (somewhat) newly emerging, still on the edges, and hard to define. Each eco-minister or eco-chaplain i have encountered has a varying definition of what eco-ministry means. I believe that is why i love eco-ministry so much. In truth, we all are eco-ministers.
For me, eco-ministry or eco-chaplaincy rose from an understanding that our ecological and climate crisis stems from a spiritual crisis. For millennia, we have been told, have lived, and even sanctioned the myth of separation and economy of scarcity, of human exception, of domination of the Earth and all Her beloveds. What is desperately needed in this time of crisis is a shift in consciousness about how we connect with Whole Earth Community.
Eco-ministry works to restor-y these myths by restor-ing our interconnection with the Whole Earth Community in various forms:
earth-based spiritual practices, rites, rituals
ministering to our beyond-human kin
discerning the inherent wisdom of the natural world
advocating for public policy changes that promote environmental justice from a place of deep love for the Earth and Her Beloveds
Eco-ministers strive to understand not only Earth’s ecology but also our inner/interpersonal ecology, the interdependent relationships with fellow species, and the dynamic natural processes of Earth Herself.
Eco-ministry differs from eco-therapy/eco-psychology, for me, because much of my own understanding of human-Whole-Earth spiritual ecology is deeply embedded in Earth-based religious and spiritual thought, sacred word, and ritual practice that goes back millennia.
Fellow eco-ministers and eco-chaplains, how would you all define eco-ministry? I’d love to hear from you!
