Joint Ecological Commission (JEC)
| Abstract | An inter-denominational network of Christian churches in Kerala, South India, the Joint Ecological Commission (JEC) seeks to build an Eco-Church fellowship, promote eco-friendly lifestyles, and participate in the global spiritual-environmental movement. Drawing on Christian scripture and tradition, the JEC emphasizes the human responsibility to care for the Earth as God’s creation and calls on Christians to expand the theological category of “neighbor” to include all of creation. Promoting a holistic worldview that takes into account Christian teachings and practices as well as modern scientific understandings of the universe, the JEC seeks to place human history in a much wider spiritual and physical context. The JEC aims to raise awareness about water pollution and various other kinds of environmental crises on both local and global levels, and it participates in hands-on conservation projects with secular environmental groups. In creating Christian education curricula for both children and adults, the JEC seeks to instill love for the natural world, environmental responsibility, and ecological literacy in Christians of all ages. In addition to organizing study programs throughout Kerala, the JEC endeavors to model ecological stewardship by practicing environmentally sensitive and simple lifestyles as individuals and as a community. As a result of its work, the Church of South India, Kerala region, declared 2003 to be the Green Parish Year, with specific programs designed for each month. Parishes doing particularly well will receive Parish Awards in recognition of their environmental work. The JEC represents various Christian denominations in South India, including the Catholic Church, the Church of South India, and the Malankara Orthodox Church. |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Geographic Location | India (Kerala) |
| Duration of Project | 2000–Present |
| History |
Feeling the need to actively engage Kerala Christians in addressing environmental concerns, the Kerala Council of Churches and the Nilakkal Ecumenical Committee initiated the Joint Ecological Project in 2000 to popularize eco-theology and promote biblically-based environmental stewardship. At the General Committee meeting held in 2004, the Commission named their parish environmental work the “New Heaven and New Earth Programme,” urged all Bishops to issue Environmental pastoral letters, and drafted a guideline for Environmental Protection to be sent to churches. |
| Mission Statement | “Like Moses and Elisha, [JEC members] seek to be God’s agents of healing and restoration to those facing environmental crises as a result of ecological degradation. We encourage the active participation of fellow Christians, churches, and all people of good will through prayer, partnership, stewardship, and involvement which will help humanity to return to an eco-friendly lifestyle.” |
| Partner Organizations |
Ecological Commission of Kerala Council of Churches Member Churches include: |
| Long-Term Goals | None Listed |
| Bibliography | None Listed |
| Additional Research Resources | None Listed |
| Contact Information | Mathew Koshy Punnackadu General Secretary Malayil Punnackadu 689652 Kozhencherry, Kerala India Email: mkoshy@satyam.net.in |