Welcome to the "Consecrated Stewards" Blog

This blog is intended to provide resources for those interested in grace-based Christian stewardship. It will especially serve as a forum for those using the "Consecrated Stewards" stewardship emphasis of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and be a place for finding answers to frequently asked questions.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Five Steps to Energy Conservation


1. Have your Governing Body Make a Public Commitment to Conserve Energy

* When church leaders make a public commitment, they are more likely to change behavior.
* Publicize this commitment. Let your members know about it!

2. Choose an Energy Steward

* Without making energy an individual’s job, conservation slips through the cracks.
* The Steward can model/enforce new energy habits.
* Make a brief monthly report to the Governing Body until conservation is a habit
* The Steward should establish a baseline for energy use, monitor monthly use in relation to the baseline, oversee energy education of leaders, and oversee conservation measures.

3. Establish a Baseline and a Target for your Energy Use

* Without a baseline, you won’t know if you’ve saved energy.
* Gather your past two years’ energy bills.
* Compare the monthly energy usage figures (not cost) to previous periods.
* Set goals for your quarterly and annual energy use, mindful that seasonal variation from year to year is inevitable.
* Aim for a 10% reduction in relation to the baseline during your first year.

4. Identify Energy Conservation Measures

* See www.greenfaith.org for hints.

5. Evaluate Results, Praise and Publicize, take Next Steps

* Have your Energy Steward monitor financial and environmental impact.
* Report results – financial and environmental. Remember – you’re educating about good stewardship and the link between energy, the environment, and financial responsibility.
* Publicize your success; praise your leaders! Write a news release for your newsletter and local paper stating that your church is a leader in energy conservation.
* Show that your church believes care for the earth is a religious value.

For more help on environmental stewardship, see the "Green Faith" web page. CLICK HERE

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