Preaching with an Ecological Lens

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One of the most pressing issues of preachers today, is arguably, how to engage climate change and ecological issues in preaching. In this workshop Kim-Cragg will share her insights into challenges faced by those who wish to address the climate crisis from the pulpit. These challenges range from choosing scripture and interpretating it, to the predominance of human-centered theology, as well our own complicity in an economic system that promotes a consumerist lifestyle.

Once we examine the root causes of the problem, Kim-Cragg will propose five strategies that may help solve this problem. The five strategies can be remembered using the acronym of E.A.R.T.H. which stand for the Elements of Life, Animals in the Bible, Rhythm of Life, Tree of Life, and Hesed (God’s unconditional love).  Kim-Cragg will present this EARTH strategy from a postcolonial perspective that decentres the human arrogance and greed and emphasizes praxis optics.

The Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim-Cragg is the 14th Principal of Emmanuel College in the University of Toronto, Canada. She concurrently holds the position of Professor of Preaching. She is the first racialized person in both roles.

Hailing from Korea and ordained in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, Kim-Cragg is actively involved in the preaching life of the United Church of Canada, a denomination that has been aspiring to become an intercultural and anti-racist church for the last 25 years. She has written or contributed to over a dozen books, and her most recent project is Moments in Time: A Centennial Reflection of Preaching in the United Church of Canada. Currently, she is preparing a manuscript for preaching addressing the climate crisis and ecological justice with a tentative title, A Homiletic from the EARTH. She is grateful to share some of her current research in this workshop.