I follow Christ and am part of the Lutheran tribe of followers. As such I have shared some thoughts directed out of that relationship and urging those that gather around that denominational campfire to be true to their tradition for a most urgent need. I invite all tribes along. Earth (Day) Lutherans The fact that Martin Luther was an environmentalist, as I am claiming here, might stir those of us who respect him for his laser-focused passion for justification by faith to pay attention to going-green strategies this April 22 Earth Day. Oh, of course Luther was not green politically or scientifically. No issues of conservation or preservation versus economic development dotted his landscape. No species survivals demanded ecological balance. Rather, Luther’s environmentalism was theological. The reason we human beings pay attention to care of neighbor and creation is because we are freed by God in Christ not to be concerned about that which we sinfully focus - our standing with God – and freed by God in Christ to be concerned about that which God passionately focuses – the welfare of all the created order. Luther famously put it this way: God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does. Today I would respectfully amend Luther (by fast-forwarding from his time to ours) as we realize our neighbor is all of humanity’s home: God does not need our good works, but our neighbor and natural world do. Why not this Earth Day 2013 be true to our Lutheran heritage and get busy with your congregation’s environmental stewardship? Check our Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC) (www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org) for resources to get started if you are beginning or advance if you are on your way. LRC’s Energy Stewards Initiative and LRC’s partnership with Greenfaith in the Greenfaith Certification Program (www.greenfaith.org) are excellent and rigorous ways to get going (right now there is a 50% tuition subsidy available for ELCA congregations for the Greenfaith Certification Program). Be a good Lutheran this Earth Day! Follow Christ into God’s passion to bless and heal the world! Rev. Dr. Johan Bergh P.S. I serve as the Lutherans Restoring Creation Coach for the Greenfaith Certification Program. Email me if you have questions or interest in LRC or GF.