Through our Certificate in Ecological Regeneration, you can complete graduate courses in ecological theology, environmental ethics, and practical eco-theology to equip you for environmental ministries in diverse contexts for the sake of ecological healing and justice.
We have designed this program to educate faith leaders for wise, courageous, and transformative public ministries in service to God’s loving justice for all peoples and creation.
Rev. Dr. Timothy Eberhart
Robert and Marilyn Degler McClean Associate Professor of Ecological Theology and Practice
The Certificate in Ecological Regeneration is a 15 credit hour program. The following required courses are all available in an online/distance format:
This course is a survey of major figures and approaches in the field of Christian ecological theology over the past half century in the context of the environmental crises facing human societies worldwide and the need for widespread conversion to ecologically regenerative beliefs, lifestyles, and systems.
Students will examine the development of theological reflection on the promises, dynamics, and labors of God and the creation by reading primary texts from a diversity of perspectives, including from Lutheran/Reformed, Trinitarian, Eco-Feminist, Indigenous, Catholic, Liberation, Evangelical, Process, and Womanist theologies.
This course provides education resources and practical experiences to organize for environmental justice in the contexts of neighborhoods, cities, and regions through not-for-profit management, faith-based leadership, and public engagement. Leadership and content for this course is provided by Faith in Place, a globally recognized faith-based environmental justice organization.
The environmental crises facing human communities worldwide present a host of difficult moral and practical questions for the Christian life. The overlapping problems of ecological degradation, resource depletion, climate disruption, and more – alongside related manifestations of social inequity and unrest – reveal the urgent need for systemic and regenerative changes within each sphere of our personal, social, economic, and public lives today.
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and tasks of complex systems theory, regenerative development, and a variety of ecological praxes in the context of Christian moral reflection for the sake of building up leaders equipped to envision, design, and implement ministries of socio-ecological regeneration.
Orients students to emerging approaches to ecological ministry in an age of biospheric crisis. Covers topics such as: place-based approaches to ministry, eco-liturgy, spiritual leadership amidst climate disruption, postcarbon lifestyles and food justice as discipleship, pastoral care and ecological trauma, and the role of movement chaplains in organizing for ecological change.
Choose one of the following courses:
Theories and Theologies for Public Justice
This course provides a survey of prominent theories and theologies for public justice from the 19th century to present alongside an examination of the primary logics and dynamics at work in multiple public spheres today. Students will be immersed in various strands of radical Christian thought in understanding and responding to the interconnected sins of economic exploitation, structural racism, social inequality, environmental degradation, and more.
Methods, Models, and Tools for Social Change
This course surveys a variety of methods, models, and tools Christians have used to bring about social change for the sake of loving God and neighbor, realizing justice for the poor and oppressed, and promoting the common good.
Garrett accepts applications from students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and who are proficient in the English language.
