Speaking Topics for Book Tour

1. A Wesleyan Way to Approach Climate Change

The issue of climate change can be difficult to talk about, even in churches. This presentation provides a model for such conversations grounded in love of God and neighbor and informed by John Wesley’s teachings. It offers:

• a practical theology that integrates personal holiness and social holiness
• a summary of Wesley’s creation theology and how it relates to his teachings on grace
• an exploration of climate change and climate justice from the varied perspectives offered by the use of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience as sources of authority
• a step-by-step process through which individuals and groups can discern action steps toward climate justice

This presentation will make clear that in this time of global climate change, love of God must include honoring and caring for God’s creation, and love of neighbor must include working for climate justice. It offers many possible action steps toward personal and systemic change in the direction of a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels toward a clean-energy future.  

2. The Whys and Hows of Churches Divesting from Fossil Fuel

Many churches and denominations are divesting from fossil fuels because they are the primary cause of the harm caused by climate change. Yet some are reluctant to seriously consider divestment.

This presentation offers reasons for church to seriously consider divesting from fossil fuels on both ethical and financial grounds. It offers:

• An overview of the harm caused by climate change, especially to those who are most vulnerable, and projections of further harm
• Scriptural foundations for ethical action to reduce such harm
• Financial reasons for divesting from fossil fuels before they become stranded assets
• A step-by-step process for individuals, churches, church agencies, or denominations to divest from fossil fuels

This presentation makes clear that because scientists are calling for a speedy phase out of fossil fuels toward a clean energy future, churches should seriously consider phasing out fossil fuels from their investment portfolios for ethical as well as practical reasons.

3. Climate Change, Climate Justice, Climate Action: The Basics for Churches

In this time of climate change, those of us who are in churches are in a unique position to challenge the dominant utilitarian, market-based understanding of creation by offering a vision of creation care and climate justice more aligned with Jesus’ vision of the reign of God. This presentation equips churches and church members to respond to the challenges of a warming planet with courage, understanding, and action. It covers:   

• Climate Change: an overview of the scientific consensus on the causes and impacts climate change, weather-related disasters, the scope of climate injustice and harm, forecasts, and the speed of its progression
• Climate Justice: a survey of the disproportionate harm inflicted on people living in poor and climate-vulnerable regions, on communities harmed by fossil fuel extraction operations, on our young and on future generations, and on other species facing extinction; and a look at the hopeful global movement for climate justice.
• Climate Action: suggestions for church ministries and collaborative actions that offer relief from weather-related disasters, help with adaptation, promote resilience, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, and organize for advocacy and action for systemic change and sound climate and energy policies.

As we join together with each other in small groups, in congregations, in denominational gatherings, and with interfaith allies, we bring blessings of faith, life-giving values, and spiritual power that help to create the broad cultural shift that is needed.