Public witness

Eco-justice/environmental ministries
Lower your energy bills

Stories of congregational budgets shot because of high heating bills have emerged as the cost of oil rises. With some congregations paying thousands of dollars annually to heat and/or cool their building, addressing energy usage is a congregational stewardship opportunity.

Therefore, congregations need to seriously consider how they spend members’ hard-earned money to maintain the church building. Lessons in church building stewardship can ultimately lead to increased personal stewardship.

What can congregations do?

What if members' contributions were used to mitigate the costs of fuel and electricity? After all, contributions to the collection plate should support the work of the congregation, not ever-increasing energy bills. After all, energy savings could very well pay for itself down the road.

• Learn more about EnergyStar for congregations.
• Conduct an energy audit to see how your church could immediately begin saving money. The following PDF files provide information:
  • ELCA resources on audits (environment and building)
  • Energy Audit Workbook
  • Energy Efficiency Measures List
  • Energy Auditor Checklist
  • Link to Web site with more audit documents created by Washington State University
• Read an EnergyStar church success story.
• Find out how your congregation can take advantage of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies to save energy and money and benefit the environment. Link to a state-by-state Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy.
• Before you construct a new building, check out the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
• Solar initiatives are becoming increasingly affordable and available. Some states offer tax relief for solar installations. Check out the Solar Energy Techologies Program, which is part of the Million Solar Roofs movement.
• See what's available through the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
• Be willing to lower the temperature in the winter and raise it in the summer.
• Learn how cleaner, less expensive energy works.
• Find out what the Interfaith Coalition on Energy is doing.
• St. Andrew Christian Church, Olathe, Kan., was built to conserve energy. Learn more about their building project.
• Find resources at the Green Building Council and the American Institute of Architects (green building resources).

return to Eco-justice/environmental ministries >