Climate Breakdown and Cruciform Adaptation
with Rev'd Jon Swales MBE
'Climate Breakdown and Cruciform Adaptation' is a hard-hitting, prophetic follow-on course to 'Climate Justice: Following Jesus in a World of Climate Breakdown'. Led by Rev'd Jon Swales MBE, this course speaks truth in a culture of denial, confronting the climate crisis with unflinching honesty. It grapples with the reality of potential societal collapse and the immense suffering that lies ahead, while offering a deep, transformative hope rooted in the self-giving love of Christ. Through the lens of 'cruciform adaptation', we explore how to lead lives marked by humility, sacrifice, and love in a world in desperate need of reconciliation and peace.
This course calls us to move beyond despair and act with hope, engaging in peacemaking and justice as we respond to the climate crisis. It is not just about facing hard truths, but embodying a way of life that offers a living testimony of hope in the midst of profound crisis.
Please note, this course comes with a trigger warning, as it addresses the existential threats posed by climate breakdown and the suffering it may bring, while equipping us to live and lead with hope as we work toward a just, flourishing future.
This course is currently being put togteher. Draft videos below, check back later for more content.
Session One
The Unveiling: Facing the Age of Consequences
Session Two:
The Unfolding: Embracing the Path of Cruciform Adaptation
Cruciform Adaptation: A Christian Declaration
We, the followers of Christ, in the face of climate breakdown, commit to adapting in ways that reflect the cruciform love of Christ—through sacrifice, love, and hope.
We Declare That…
- We recognise that the crisis of climate degradation is no longer a distant threat; it is here. While it is too late to prevent its full impact, we commit to responding with faith, resilience, and urgency.
- In the spirit of Christ’s love, we adopt cruciform adaptation—a way of living shaped by His sacrificial love. Just as He entered the world's suffering to redeem it, we choose to enter the brokenness, trusting in God’s transforming power to bring hope and healing to a hurting world.
- We will not wait for governments or systems to take the lead, as they may fail in this task. Instead, we will model cruciform adaptation in our own actions and plans, challenging others to follow our example and calling on those in power to take responsibility for the damage done.
- We will be prophetic, speaking truth in a culture of denial. We will enact hope in a culture of despair, offering a vision of God’s redemption and renewal. We will speak truth to power on behalf of the powerless, calling out injustice, exploitation, and environmental destruction. We will stand with those whose voices are silenced and advocate for the healing of both people and creation.
- We endeavour to love as Christ loved—sacrificially and radically. We endeavour to love our neighbours, extending mercy to those affected by climate and injustice. We endeavour to love future generations, making choices today that protect their world. We endeavour to love our enemies, seeking reconciliation over division. We endeavour to love the vulnerable, standing with the oppressed and those most harmed by ecological collapse.
- Cruciformity is looking to Jesus to be shaped by Him—to love like Him, serve like Him, and endure whatever befalls us with His strength. It means letting the cross mould our hearts and actions, living with humility, obedience, and a commitment to justice.
- We lament the damage caused by unrestrained capitalism and radical individualism. These forces have led to ecological and societal harm, but we resist them with a love that reflects Christ's sacrifice—a love that chooses justice over comfort, solidarity over isolation.
- In the midst of our lament, we hold fast to hope. Christ’s resurrection is the ultimate hope that transforms the world. We will not wait for political or economic systems to lead; we will model the change we seek, acting justly and loving mercy in all that we do. We do so in anticipation of the compassionate Kingdom of Christ, where justice, mercy, and love reign.
We trust that the Light of Christ will shine, whatever befalls. In lament and hope, we live out Christ’s love, serving the world and being shaped by Him, no matter the challenges ahead.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we commit to this way of life, trusting that the Triune God will guide and sustain us through all things.
This declaration was put together by Rev’d Jon Swales.
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