Press Release: Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment
William Carey International University Announces the Launch of The Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment under the direction of Lowell Bliss.
September 6, 2022
Christians who are alert to the climate crisis and ecosystem destruction are generally aware of the personal response that their faith demands. What is in shorter supply, however, is the curiosity and courage to confront the systemic factors—social, economic, cultural and theological—that often relegate them and their communities to the sidelines, and a willingness to critically engage with established systems as demanded by the times. Under the leadership of Christian-environmental thought leader Lowell Bliss, the Eden Vigil Institute is poised to fulfill this vital function, offering a forum for thinkers and activists willing to reimagine redemptive and just responses to a world facing unprecedented challenges. It is hard to imagine a more crucial mission for these times.
- John Elwood, a pioneer in Eco-Realism and steering committee founder
William Carey International University recently launched our newest Institute, The Eden Vigil Insitute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment under the direction of Lowell Bliss. We are continually humbled by the caliber of people who have made WCIU their home and nothing could be truer about Lowell Bliss and the work he has done with Eden Vigil. We invite you to read further and get to know the vision behind the Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment, Its history, and where we see things heading. We also want to invite you to join us for a live webinar on October 15th called “Processing the Difficult Emotions of Climate Change.”
The vision behind The Eden Vigil Insitute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment
Roots and Realism: In support of WCIU’s vision “for a verdant and flourishing world,” the Eden Vigil Institute promotes research, education, and discussion on the spiritual, religious, economic, and other roots of the climate and ecological crisis.
Vision: The vision of The Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment, is to be a center of wisdom for activists in all environmental movements (environmental, climate, creation care, environmental justice, environmental missions), including promoting the principles and practical skills of Adaptive Leadership.
Where We came from; Lowell’s Story
In this video, Dr. Peter McLallen interviews our new Institute Director, Lowell Bliss to unpack Lowell’s journey into conservation through his time as a missionary in India, the inception and history of Eden Vigil, and how it came to find its home at WCIU.
Where we are going: programs that serve the give movements
Lowell, as the author of Environmental Missions: Planting Churches and Tree, is a pioneer in the new category of missions known as Environmental Missions. The Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment now aims to serve these five movements: Environmental, Climate, Creation Care, Environmental Justice, and Environmental Missions. Read the full article for an introduction to each movement and how the institute plans to come alongside them.
The Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment is the co-founder and current co-director of the Christian Climate Observers Program which brings emerging leaders from under-mobilized constituencies to the UN COP climate summits for an immersive and discipled experience. The Institute’s leadership in the global prayer network called Climate Intercessors has been featured in Christianity Today and Christian Century. The ministry philosophy of Eden Vigil is a blend of “Scholar Practitioners, Crucial Neutrals, Adaptive Leadership, Roots and Realism, Center for Wisdom, and a Five Movement Approach” which is unique in the Church’s response to the ecological crisis. Learn more about the Institute’s philosophy and programs.
Scott Sabin, president of Plant with Purpose, says:
"As a long-time leader in the environmental and creation care movements, I am incredibly excited by the launch of the Eden Vigil Institute. This will be a much-valued resource for a number of communities, including our own. I have had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Lowell Bliss for many years, and have always appreciated his collaborative spirit and deep wisdom, as well as his ability to bring unique insight to any conversation. All five of the movements that Lowell identifies will be stronger for the work of the Institute and I am deeply thankful to WCIU for this initiative. I look forward to future partnership."
Upcoming Webinar:
Despair, anger, grief, loneliness-- whatever you are feeling about the climate crisis or about your progress in mobilizing others for action--is natural, appropriate, and part of being created in the image of a God who loves you and all of creation.
Lowell and Robynn Bliss invite you into a conversation about these painful realities. They believe that it is possible to process difficult emotions and find space (and grace) to move forward with greater freedom and hope.
More Endorsements
Find out what activists and leaders among the five movements are saying about The Eden Vigil Institute for Adaptive Leadership and the Environment. HERE
Learn More
To learn more about the philosophy and the programs of Eden Vigil CLICK HERE.