Christian Archetypes for a Sustainable Future ICPF February 4, 2012 Darren Kropf - MCC Ontario

Who is this guy? Wage earner Academic Resident Husband Cyclist Camper Blogger

Why Archetypes? “The original pattern or model of all things in that type.” – Webster’s Dictionary Form our MOTIVATIONS and our BEHAVIOURS

Why Archetypes? Imagine you’re a small house church in first- century Corinth, and received this letter: John 13:3-15 and John 15: Discuss: 1.What did you hear in this passage? 2.What are your feelings? 3.What is at stake for you? The Catch: SERVANT (Jan – June) MASTER (July – Dec)

Inherited Archetypes Consumer Taxpayer Citizen Owner Class

Neighbour “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14 (The Message) Matthew 25:31-46 Luke 10:25-37 Hosea 4:1-3

Gardener “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 Ruth John 4 Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1- 5

Steward “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” Psalm 24:1 Genesis 1 Luke 16:1-13

Pastor “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12-13 Genesis 9:8-17 Colossians 1:15-20 Job 38-39

Prophet “Take up weeping and wailing for the mountains, and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste.” Jeremiah 9:10 Isaiah 58:10-12 Ezekiel 34:17-22 Anything to do with Jesus

Knowing the Archetypes Neighbour Gardener Steward Pastor Prophet 1. What MOTIVATES this archetype? 2. What BEHAVIOURS would this archetype participate in? 3. Choose a common environmental problem. Demonstrate how this archetype might respond to it. Be creative!

Neighbour Motivations Seek the best for others Do no harm Share Behaviours Tithing Volunteering Simple living choices Community building Co-operatives

Gardener Motivations Plant seeds Nurture growth Mentor others Behaviours Gardening Tree planting Land conservation Environmental Education

Steward Motivations Build God’s kingdom Mobilize people Use resources well Create new things Behaviours Buy Fair Trade Socially Responsible Investments Entrepreneurial Activity Budgeting

Pastor Motivations Bring glory to God Create beauty Understanding Behaviours Poetry, Music, Art Camping Nature Walks Silence and Prayer

Prophet Motivations Create equal opportunity Seek justice Speak the truth to power Behaviours Political advocacy Corporate responsibility Blogging/Social Networking

So now what? Recognize when an archetype is being proposed. Check your MOTIVATIONS and BEHAVIOURS often. Ground your environmental commitments in the Christian archetypes.

Thank you Keep in touch! Darren Kropf Blog: creationcarecrossroads.blogspot.comcreationcarecrossroads.blogspot.com Web: ontario.mcc.orgontario.mcc.org Facebook: MCC OntarioMCC Ontario