Supporting the Next Generation of Christian Scholars Who Desire to Serve, Protect, and Restore God’s Earth

Our habits become liturgies that can form or deform us.

Now, more than ever, we need to examine who and what we worship. This study explores five liturgies and counter-liturgies that shape how we live and who we are becoming.

1. We are created to love and worship God vs. We live for our own fulfillment.

2. We thrive in community, partnering with others to bring about flourishing vs. We must become independent of others in order to succeed.

3. We are called to serve, protect, and restore the earth vs. We stand over and against the earth and can do what we please.

4. God’s work of transformation happens in the ordinary moments of our lives vs. Life is only meaningful if it is new and stimulating.

5. Facing grave ecological challenges we hope and act anticipating God’s restoration of heaven and earth vs. We have damaged the earth beyond all repair OR we will save ourselves through technology.

How can Christian scholars respond faithfully in a world of noise, distraction, and the constant news of ecological destruction? What practices can sustain our partnership with God to restore his good creation?

Explore these questions and more through this study. Each week includes:

• A short reading on one of the liturgies and counter-liturgies

• Discussion questions

• Concrete practices for further engagement

• Selected written prayers to use individually and communally

• Space for personal reflection and journaling

To request copies of the workbook, please click here.

If you would like to participate in an online monthly discussion group in fall 2021 with other graduate students and emerging scholars, please click here.

The online discussion group is open to all emerging scholars (students in graduate school or early career professionals) who share our commitment to serve, protect, and restore God’s earth. Students in all disciplines are welcome to be involved.

Materials are free but donations to support Au Sable Institute’s work are deeply appreciated.

Au Sable Institute intends to offer a free weekend retreat for graduate students and emerging scholars in mid-January or early February, 2022, at our campus in Northern Michigan. If you would be interested in attending this event, please contact Jon Terry. More details will be announced in Fall 2021.

The liturgies workbook is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment.