JOIN

Joining Christians For The Mountains is simply an assent to the basic tenets of this organization.

At this time we have not yet set up a procedure for formal membership. We are collecting names of those who identify themselves as supporters of our mission. By identifying yourself with our aims you will be able to join in with others like-minded.

The vision and purpose of Christians For The Mountains is spelled out in the Home Page of this website, in the Vision Statement, and in the Mission Statement.  These general principles should give enough basis to understand what we are about.

Until we have a more formal application form, please send as much of the following information in narrative as you like to to MAIL.

Your full name, how you prefer to be called, contact info including your address, phone number (s), email addresses.  Designate work contact info if you would like to be contacted there besides or rather than at home. 

Please give information you are comfortable giving out about your church identity (denomination, home church, etc.) and any Christian organizations you are active with that would be helpful for us to know.  Also if you are involved in any environmental or social justice work or organizations and to what extent.  Also any positions of leadership or major organizational responsibility will be helpful to know. 

You are welcome to share a small bit about your hobbies and interests, your family, and your work. 

What are some of your skills we should know about?  And what might be some areas you might like to help out with?

Since we are calling ourselves Christians For The Mountains, we assume that our members identify themselves as Christians.  This is our identity so we can be most passionate and effective in our God-given earthkeeping responsibilities by acting within our deepest core beliefs.  Moreover much of our work will involve seeking to challenge and influence other Christians and their churches to engage the issues of earthkeeping. However, many of us will also be working on some of our public action alongside other persons of other philosophical or religious understandings.  We also will welcome dialogue with others.  But we will be working out of the framework of our Christian faith.

It is important that each of us with Christians For The Mountains be active.  We do not want to be “armchair” observers.  Everyone will be encouraged to be personally working toward a more responsible lifestyle of earthkeeping, as well as encouraged to work on a project in his or her local area or the region.  There will be plenty of opportunities to serve.

An active, effective organization will receive support from those who care about the work, and will contribute according to their abilities and priorities.

Members need to be respectful of one another.  To that end the following Rules of Engagement are suggested:

(1) Be What You Are.

Everyone should fulfill the requirements and understandings of his or her own church without worrying about how others may pray or worship.  Christian faith in Appalachia is diverse in doctrinal understandings and practices while expressions and styles of worship vary.  Christians For The Mountains needs to have this diversity as well.  Our unity is in the Center of our faith in Jesus Christ.  This way people can freely participate without compromising their beliefs.

(2) Each Person is Valued

While appreciating positions, titles, and accomplishments in their churches and jobs, everyone in Christians For The Mountains should have a humble regard toward one another and for oneself.  Folks need to value one another, listen to one another, recognize that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; James 2:1-14).

(3) Focus on What is Essential

Trivialities and side issues could easily derail us.  Some of us will have personalities that conflict with other peoples’ styles.  Christians For The Mountains is not a replacement for the church, nor should it be anyone’s primary community.  Our focus is on helping one another to be better keepers and protectors of God’s creation.

(4) Respect the Beliefs of Others in Christians For The Mountains

Respect is distinct from agreement.  Respect goes beyond how a person acts or what he or she believes.  In its most basic form, it is the acknowledgement and discernment of Christ in each person.  At a subconscious level, people have an intuition how you feel about them.  This means we need to seek to be genuine people.  This means we need to seek the highest good for one another.  If a person needs to be challenged, this should if at all possible first be done privately or in a way to avoid humiliation and rivalry (Matthew 18:15-17). 

Seek to avoid harsh criticism of others’ denominations, experiences, ideas, or personalities.  Pray to understand their hearts, and for an opening to gently discuss areas of conflict.

(5) Pray for our Enemies

Obviously many of us are angry about the abuses inflicted upon God’s earth by greedy and callous people.  We need to stand up for righteousness, while concurrently exposing and denouncing lies, greed, manipulation, corruption, and cowardice. 

Nonetheless, we need to remind ourselves of God’s love for all people.  We need to pray for hearts to change, and give space in our words and deeds for reconciliation and mercy. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil….never avenge yourselves, but leave vengeance for God…but extend kindness to enemies….In so doing we will maintain the high moral ground…let evil not overtake us, but let us overtake evil (Romans 12:17-21 paraphrased excerpts).