How Fort Wayne Area Churches Are Going Green

In 2009 a group of builders in the Northeast Indiana region who were interested in sustainable practices came together to form the Northeast Indiana Green Builders Coalition. Around the same time the City of Fort Wayne was developing the Green City Certification Program for area businesses.

The Green City Certification Program offered a free seminar to get businesses started on the road to green business practices, a mentoring company, and a simple guide to follow in order to become certified.
The Northeast Indiana Green Builders Coalition offered opportunities for networking, a sharing of ideas concerning sustainable building, and recognition of area green initiatives.

In 2010 these two great ideas came together under one umbrella and the Northeast Indiana Sustainable Business Council was created.

The Northeast Indiana Sustainable Business Council developed the Bright Green Program for area business. It was similar to the Green City certification program.

Now, the Northeast Indiana Sustainable Business Council has expanded their reach with a partnership with Associated Churches here in the Greater Fort Wayne region.

Three area churches have already begun their walk down the path to green practices; the Beacon Heights Church, Plymouth Congregational, and Covenant United Methodist. And, on March 5, a free seminar was offered to bring the Bright Green Stewardship Training Program to area churches.

There were twenty-four people in attendance, and a presentation was given by each of the churches that were already on board with the program. Afterwards, a question and answer session took place.

I came as a representative for the Waynedale United Methodist Church, because I believe our church communities have a unique ability to bring sustainable living practices to their congregations

In listening to the program, I was happy to see an outreach from the Northeast Indiana Sustainable Business Council, but am very much aware that a separate program for area churches might need a little tweaking. The original program for businesses which is still in place is not wholly adequate for addressing the needs and potential of a church community.

One example is in the area of local foods. One plank that is sorely missing in the Bright Green Stewardship Training Program is the necessity to highlight the use of local foods, and advance the usage of community gardens.

Those of us who have been involved in the sustainable living activity here in the Northeast Indiana region know this is a high mountain to climb in every area.

So, the idea of expanding the program is not a criticism, but merely an observation from one who has been on the front lines for over five years now.

Over 125 churches communities are members of Associated Churches. Wouldn't it be great to see that massive involvement in the Bright Green Stewardship Program, holistically?