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

Christian Archetypes for a Sustainable Future

ICPFFebruary 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 15:12-15.

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 25:31-46Luke 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

RuthJohn 4Revelation 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 1Luke 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 9:8-17Colossians 1:15-20Job 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 58:10-12Ezekiel 34:17-22Anything to do with Jesus

Knowing the ArchetypesNeighbour

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!

NeighbourMotivations•Seek the best for others•Do no harm•Share

Behaviours•Tithing•Volunteering•Simple living choices•Community building•Co-operatives

GardenerMotivations•Plant seeds•Nurture growth•Mentor others

Behaviours•Gardening•Tree planting•Land conservation•Environmental Education

StewardMotivations•Build God’s kingdom•Mobilize people•Use resources well•Create new things

Behaviours•Buy Fair Trade•Socially Responsible Investments•Entrepreneurial Activity•Budgeting

PastorMotivations•Bring glory to God•Create beauty•Understanding

Behaviours•Poetry, Music, Art•Camping•Nature Walks•Silence and Prayer

ProphetMotivations•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 youKeep in touch!Darren KropfEmail: darrenk@mennonitecc.on.caBlog: creationcarecrossroads.blogspot.comWeb: ontario.mcc.orgFacebook: MCC Ontario