CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The trees, the water, the fresh air—they are all natural resources we need to survive. For Pastor Brenda Davis, they’re also gifts from God. That’s why she plans to turn her church, Carr Methodist, "green."

Discuss this story

 

“We’re learning how we can do it, and how we can afford it because we are a small membership church,” Davis said.

 

Religious leaders from across the state came together for a two-day conference in Charlotte to learn all about going green. Through the private foundation, the Duke Endowment, small Methodist churches like Davis' in small North Carolina towns can get grant money to make their buildings more environmentally friendly.

 

“Often times, particularly in rural communities, churches are often a center of the community. And if the church indicates how important it is to be sustainable, then that naturally flows into the community,” said Robb Webb, program officer.

 

Sustainable means building in a way that leaves the earth better than you found it.

 

“So often today, typically sites are scraped or bulldozed, streams are polluted, trees are cut.” Said Raleigh architect Frank Harmon. He teaches the group how to fix the problem.

 

First, choose a type of wood that will replenish quickly. In addition, choose something local. Moving long distances uses a lot of energy.

 

Then, keep in mind that solvents and lacquers pollute the environment. Also, stone sculptures use a lot of energy to make, and they leave a lot of waste behind. Finally, stained glass creates lead dust and toxic acid. Michael Crosbie, editor of "Faith and Form" magazine, says more and more churches are changing their priorities.

 

 “In many cases, they’re looking at the link between being socially responsible and environmentally responsible a part of the church mission,” Crosbie said.

 

Robb Webb added, “We have a theological imperative to be good stewards of what God has given us. And building green taps into that notion of stewardship.”

 

They believe the Bible backs that up.  While there’s little mention of construction throughout most of the books, 13 chapters in the book of Exodus detail the construction a sacred space: the tabernacle.

 

“Many of my clients, including churches, see this as an ethical, and even a spiritual issue,” Frank Harmon said. 

 

That’s why he teaches the leaders how to build in ways they believe will honor God, for example, with water-saving sinks, and with windows that use the sun to their advantage. 

 

“Buildings are the biggest users of energy. Most people think it’s automobiles or transportation systems. But buildings use more than anything else,” Harmon said.

 

However, the U.S. green building council says going green saves, on average, 40 percent in water use, 30 percent in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and up to 75 percent of construction and demolition waste going to landfills. That’s why Pastor Davis is replacing this building with one that’s green

“It’s really smart to do it for the world, for the Lord, but it’s also smart as individuals. So it’s a win-win situation.”

 

Davis says it’s for her congregation, her planet, and her God.