By Jeff McDonald
West Texas Missioner
Later this summer, the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA will consider a "Divestment from Fossil Fuel Companies Overture," stating "Our Faith Compels us to Bold Denominational Action In recognition that our faith with corresponding works is dead (James 2) we recommend that the General Assembly call on the Board of Pensions and the PCUSA Foundation to immediately stop new investment in fossil fuel companies and eliminate all current holdings over the next five years."
The overture from Fossil Free PCUSA recommends that "The General Assembly expresses its profound concern about the destructive effects of climate change on all God’s creation. Climate change has had a disproportionate impact on those living in poverty and in the least developed countries, the elderly and children, and those least responsible for the emissions of greenhouse gases. General Assembly thus recognizes the moral mandate for humanity to shift to a sustainable energy plan in a way that is both just and compassionate. This mandate propels us to action as a denomination: to divest from the fossil fuel industry even as we reduce our use of fossil fuels and shrink our carbon footprint."
I, personally, object to this overture for so many reasons ... and I plan to address those objections in the next couple of weeks leading up to the General Assembly's meeting in Detroit. They are based upon my life, my faith and my experience as a Christian in the PCUSA denomination ... but they are also based upon the first-hand experience and insights I have gained from decades as an environmentalist AND a resident of the 'oil patch.' If you would like to contribute to the discussion - REGARDLESS of your stand on this overture - please CLICK HERE for an e-mail link.
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