Caring for creation in the deep south: Eco Church in Southland

Last week, I had the privilege of traveling to Te Taurapa – Southland to connect with churches and individuals passionate about creation care. It was a trip filled with deep conversations, theological reflections, and inspiring stories of churches living out their faith in practical ways.

Eco Church Regional Hui at St Luke’s in the Bush, Ōtatara

On Thursday, we gathered at St Luke’s in the Bush, a church beautifully nestled within the native forest of Ōtatara. It was the perfect setting to reflect on our call to care for God’s creation. Our host, Dot Muir, did a superb job of facilitating a space for conversation and learning.

Rev. Richard Johnson opened the evening by speaking from Colossians 1:15-20, reminding us that Christ was involved in the creation of all things and is actively involved in the restoration of all things. This grand theological vision should lead us into awe and inspire us to care for creation as an act of worship.

Rev. Aaron Douglas shared about the significance of meeting God in the garden. He spoke of his experiences growing and sharing food, highlighting how gardening is not just about sustenance but about building community, deepening faith, and nourishing the soul.

Christina Naseri, National Chaplain for the Order of St Luke, spoke about Romans 8 and the groaning of creation. She challenged us to live in tune with that groan, to listen to the pain of the natural world, and to respond as an act of discipleship. Caring for creation is not just an optional extra – it’s an integral part of our Christian calling.

I (James Beck) had the opportunity to share about the mission of the Church and how the Church is meant to be a worshiping, fellowshipping, and missional community. Yet, too often, we neglect the last aspect – mission. And within mission, we frequently overlook the fifth mark of mission: to care for creation. I shared practical ways churches can step into this biblical mandate, not only as a means of environmental stewardship but also as an avenue to reconnect with their wider communities and draw people into fellowship and worship through creation care.

It was an incredible experience to talk about the care of creation while being surrounded by the beauty of God’s good creation. The setting of St Luke’s in the Bush reinforced the message that our faith must be deeply rooted in the land we inhabit.

Meeting with Invercargill Central Baptist

While in Southland, I also had the opportunity to connect with Keith Harrington from Invercargill Central Baptist. For several years, their church community has been running a project called Serve Our City, an initiative encouraging their congregation to practically serve their wider community. Many of their projects have had a strong environmental focus, demonstrating a tangible expression of the gospel through practical acts of care and restoration.

Serve Our City is a powerful embodiment of the good news of Jesus. It shows what happens when a church community steps beyond its walls and becomes an active agent of renewal, serving both people and the land. The wider community has been deeply appreciative of the church’s engagement with environmental issues, showing that when the Church lives out its faith in action, it resonates with those beyond its walls.

The Future of Eco Church in Southland

Throughout my visit, I met with amazing people doing incredible work in Southland, each committed to stewarding God’s creation in different ways. Their passion and dedication were inspiring, and I can’t wait to see how the Eco Church network can support and resource the work that is already growing in the region.

Southland is a place of stunning natural beauty and strong faith communities, and I believe there is a significant opportunity to weave these two things together in ways that will strengthen the Church’s witness and care for creation. If the conversations from this trip are anything to go by, the seeds are already sprouting, and I’m excited to see what will grow in the years ahead.

If you’re in Southland and interested in joining the Eco Church movement, I’d love to connect with you. Get in touch. Let’s work together to see churches across Aotearoa live out the biblical call to care for creation.