Montana

Below and above Montana’s vast grasslands and towering mountains, lie the raw materials for traditional and alternative energies. More and more, rural communities feel that it is incumbent on them to provide direction on resource extraction and development. TTF, with encouragement from the Montana Association to Churches, is helping facilitate church-led dialogue around energy, climate change, habitat restoration and protection of the Earth and its species as a Christian value.  As an organization headquartered in Montana, we felt the need to test our international model in our own backyard.

History:  To initiate the discussions, TTF helped sponsor an April, 2008 lecture at Montana State University by famed wildlife conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall.  Her presentation challenged communities, schools, churches and individuals to take action on all levels to protect the earth and its species. We formed a steering committee and invited clergy to a post-lecture discussion where they identified ways that churches and congregations can take a far more active and meaningful role in creation care.  They encouraged the first Faith and the Environment workshop held in Great Falls in November 2008. There, clergy to discussed environmental initiatives that can transform congregations, communities and, ultimately, ecological health.

Green My Faith:  Great Falls workshop participants asked us to issue a baseline survey of all Montana clergy (the 600 members of the Montana Association of Churches) on Faith and the Environment, and results showed a keen interest in building environmental stewardship programs in churches. Based on this interest, we launched the Green My Faith program, aimed at providing trainings and materials for churches that seek partnerships.  Our Green Lent campaign, encourages church-goers to “give back” to the Earth when they “give up” a vice (view 10 Activities and Daily Activities).

Current focus is on the Green My Faith workshop series for Montana clergy and congregation members interested in building community green programming through the church. We partnered with BridgeWorks (click here for agendas and workshop reports). As with initiatives in Mongolia and Bhutan, we plan to initiate a small opportunity grants program that encourages church-led demonstration projects on energy efficiency, recycling, community gardens, youth curricula and community outreach.