Kerux: a portfolio of Calvin Theological Seminary - Volume 41.7 - 4 December 2006

Stewardship at CTS doesn't extend to the environment

by Walter Miedema, Staff Writer

Stewardship. In seminary this word is almost immediately connected to our specialized relationship to the word of God. It seems, however, that we almost never address how our position as stewards also applies in relation to God's world, specifically in issues relating to the environment. Through Adam and Eve, we have been mandated to “fill the earth an subdue it” (Gen 1:28), but many of us — especially in America — take the “rule” and “subdue” aspects of the mandate too literally by considering it a command to seek to dominate or too blithely by paying no attention at all.

As future pastors and church leaders, we at Calvin Theological Seminary should be concerned about how we act as stewards of God's creation. Unfortunately, there are a number of areas where we visibly fall short in this regard, both collectively and as individuals.

Recycling

I realize that many would not see recycling as an area where the seminary needs improvement. After all, there are recycling receptacles in prominent places in the student center, and those students who live in on-campus housing have a place to properly dispose of our household recyclables. Those students who live in off-campus school-run housing, however, do not.

The message this discrepancy sends is that we as a seminary only recycle because we are connected to the college which has its own recycling program that we can piggy back on. Being a Canadian, I have been instilled with the importance of conserving natural resources from a young age. Many Canadians now take recycling for granted because it is provided by the local municipality and payed for through taxes. Americans, however, if they choose to recycle, must pay more directly out of their own pocket. My landlord last year refused to recycle on the grounds that she would be paying the recyclers to take away materials that they would get payed for supplying to manufacturers.

I would suggest that the Student Senate should look into the possibility of making a recycling depot available to all students who live in off-campus housing supplied by the seminary.

Paper Usage

Every year on the Seminary's birthday, as part of our Dies Natalis celebration, we as students take part in some good natured shaming of one faculty or staff member by giving them the much-coveted “Tree Slayer Award.” This award goes to the professor or staff member who has used, or caused the students to use, the most paper in that year.

I believe this is a healthy practice, and a number of professors have made strides in lowering their paper usage by having some of their assignments be handed in electronically. Students, however, still bear a large part of the responsibility for how much paper is used. The seminary's policy on free paper and printing is hard to argue against, but I wonder if anyone is keeping tabs on exactly how much paper is being used and by whom. I would think tracking paper usage through our student (and faculty) computer access would not be a difficult thing to achieve. It could also be a step towards creating suggested limits for paper usage.

At least it would make us think twice about whether or not we should print out not seminary related items on the seminary printers.

Transportation Habits

In many ways, life in Grand Rapids seems to necessitate owning a car. 28th street and the East Beltline do not have consistent sidewalks, and one would need a death wish to attempt using a bicycle on Burton Street. While most students do a very good job of carpooling, only one student that I am aware of uses Grand Rapid's Rapid bus line to go back and forth from the seminary on a semi-regular basis.

I realize that the bus takes more time, but it does cut down on the amount of pollution created per person. It also serves to bring us into closer contact with the people we share our neighborhoods with. Furthermore, Calvin Seminary students receive a discounted rate ($0.50 each way versus the normal $1.25) when they show the free discount card available at the college Campus Safety office. I would encourage those who live near bus stops to at least once travel between your home and the seminary by bus to get a feel for how long it takes.

Another curious transportation habit that I have witnessed is the "cross-Beltline commute.” What message does it send to get in your car and drive a distance that is easily walkable? This becomes even more odd when I hear about people driving to exercise at the college weight room. I understand that Michigan can get cold and wet, but isn't an umbrella or a warm hat and coat a better alternative?

These are three noticeable areas where we as a seminary community could make changes to the way we treat the environment. I realize that making changes to lessen our impact on the environment requires some sacrifice — possibly of our time and convenience — but are we not called to lives of sacrifice?

Could caring for the environment be one small way of imaging Christ to those around us?