In 2012 the General Conference initiated the process for revising the United Methodist Social Principles, and the job fell to the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. In 2019 Church and Society unveiled a revised draft of the Social Principles that had been created by a team of writers from Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the United States. These were submitted and approved for adoption at the postponed General Conference 2020. The Revised Social Principles include expanded content on the need for Christians to protect and care for all God’s creation. These changes come at a time when the impact of global climate change is being felt more and more around the world.
“Our work was framed on the idea that the revision should both be more succinct and theologically-grounded. We also wanted to make sure they were reflective of the worldwide nature of our denomination. I think all three of these conditions are evident in the content concerning creation care,” said Interim General Secretary of Church and Society John Hill.
One of the most notable changes in the document involves the title of the first section, which was revised from The Natural World to Community of All Creation. The section is divided into two subsections titled Creation in Peril and Stewardship of Creation.
“Historically, we have tended to perceive ourselves as somehow apart from creation. The old language talks about our responsibility for the natural world as though we are not a part of it. In the new document we are setting ourselves more within the community of all creation to show our interdependence with the earth,” said Hill.
The Community of All Creation section begins by describing the dire threats creation is facing at this time including climate change, overdevelopment, and use of unsustainable energy sources. The document then calls on Christians to adopt more sustainable and just practices. The Revised Social Principles also acknowledges the ways unjust environmental policies touch other social concerns such as racism, classism, and the historic mistreatment of indigenous peoples.
“We brought in voices and perspectives from a lot of different countries, cultures and backgrounds who helped us create a more holistic approach to creation care,” said Church and Society Director of Communications Jeffery Corey.
“We’ve incorporated language and themes around environmental stewardship and climate justice into other parts of the document such as the Preamble. This is reflective of the way creation is connected to everything. When we talk about creation, we can’t stop talking about other forms of justice. I hope when people read the Preamble they will see how our responsibilities to God, to our neighbor and to creation are all interconnected,” said Hill.
Another noticeable change from the old Social Principles is the presence of more direct references to scripture and Christian theology throughout the document. The Community of All Creation section opens with the following excerpt from one of John Wesley’s sermons. It also references Genesis, Matthew, Romans, Psalms and Isaiah.
The great lesson that our blessed Lord inculcates here…is that God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature; that we should use and look upon nothing as separate from God…who pervades and actuates the whole created frame, and is, in a true sense, the soul of the universe. (John Wesley, “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount 3”)
“The Bible begins with the creation story and our covenant with God to care for the earth. In Micah 6:8 we are told God requires that we ‘seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.’ Often when it comes to creation care we emphasis justice and kindness, but neglect our humility by forgetting we are part of creation and dependent on it,” said Hill.
Proponents of the Revised Social Principles believe its adoption by General Conference would an important step in helping The United Methodist Church become more just and conscientious in its collective responsibility to love and care for all God’s earth and all creatures, great and small.
To learn more or read the Revised Social Principles in one of seven languages go to umcsocialprinciples2020.org.
Philip J. Brooks is a writer and content developer on the leader communications team at United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.