Eco Church is an initiative of A Rocha Australia. Eco Church was adapted to the Australian context following similar programs created by A Rocha in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In the UK over 8,000 churches have registered as Eco Churches, representing over 15% of all churches. In New Zealand over 100 churches have registered as Eco Churches.
Eco Church was created in the UK as a way to assist churches in participating in the A Rocha family vision and mission.
The A Rocha family vision is to see
“A world where nature flourishes as people live equitably and sustainably”
The A Rocha family mission is
“To live out God’s calling to care for creation and equip others to do likewise”
Why partner with A Rocha through Eco Church?
A Rocha has a heart to help followers of Jesus – the church – to be true to our calling, and to live in obedience, caring for creation as an act of love and worship toward our Creator and a means by which we also love our neighbour.
A Rocha is uniquely placed to mobilise, support, resource and connect Australian churches in the area of creation care, and are the only Christian organisation in Australia solely focused on caring for creation and biodiversity.
A number of our members and supporters are in churches with creation care groups – we can learn from each other and establish a learning community.
We have resources to share, including a sample eco-audit, Bible studies and children’s resources, resources for the Season of Creation, Scripture references, ARA short films / Lausanne films.
A number of churches in Australia, including ones with A Rocha members, are already responding and seizing the opportunity to incorporate creation care into church life, discipleship and mission.
A Rocha has a deep understanding and expertise in ecological issues and the Biblical reason for caring for creation
We have the support of A Rocha International and access to their expertise and resources. We can also learn from the experience of other A Rocha church partners and Eco-Church programs
We have over 100 individual members across Australia most of whom will be in church communities and able to advocate for the environment and initiate a creation care ministry. We have over 500 other supporters, many of whom, are connected with a local church.
