Traveling various places daily, I often evaluate the buildings that I enter and imagine greener operations and facilities. Many organizations do not give sustainability a chance, they dismiss the opportunity as if it is not useful or applicable. I am happy that more and more organizations are implementing green practices and in 2010, I will be happy to help add to that list. Organizations I have observed include (but are not limited to) schools, stores, offices, small businesses and also churches. Having designed churches and church facilities throughout my career, I will enjoy the discussing greening church facilities throughout January.
A church leader may wonder why should we be green? How does this benefit the ministry? To these questions I answer: green practices are another way of giving praise to God, we are showing our appreciation for His creation.
Psalms 24:1-2 states that "...the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths..."
Nehemiah 9: 6 states: "...You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.."
Knowing this, as a Christian, I am PROUD TO BE A GREENIE.
How can a church be greener? Following are easy Greenie Tips to help you begin:
- Create a recycling/waste reduction team.
- Encourage the use of email and social networking sites for event promotion as opposed to passing out flyers.
- Remodel using furniture donated from other facilities
- Monitor and reduce energy use by installing programmable thermostats and using energy efficient light bulbs.
- Renovate instead of building.
- Create a church carpooling program to reduce the number of cars on the road.
If you are a part of a church community and would like to be more socially responsible, contact Urban Aesthetics, LLC. Urban Aesthetics will help you create green practices and green design solutions for your church facility.
Contact us at 215-776-8795 or email us at: info@urbanaestheticsdesigns.com for more information.
