The John Ray Initiative (JRI) is an educational charity with a vision to bring together scientific and Christian understandings of the environment in a way that can be widely communicated and lead to effective action. It was formed in 1997 in recognition of the urgent need to respond to the global environmental crisis and the challenges of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Colour Brochure about JRI (A5, 4 pages).
JRI’s mission is to promote responsible environmental stewardship in accordance with Christian principles and the wise use of science and technology.
We aim to both inform and challenge, to develop understanding of the environment and the way in which human society interacts with it, and to stimulate action in pursuit of environmental protection and sustainable development – including action by decision makers and leaders.
See the full the JRI mission statement.
John Ray (1627-1705) pioneered the classification of plants and animals, influencing both Gilbert White and Carl Linnaeus a century later. His writings proclaimed God as creator whose wisdom is ‘manifest in the works of creation’, and as redeemer of all things. Inspired by Ray, JRI seeks to teach appreciation of nature, increase awareness of the state of the global environment and communicate a Christian understanding of environmental issues.
Sustainability
… means balancing the pressing needs of human communities against the equally pressing need to care for the environment. It means managing resources in such a way as to ensure they are equitably distributed now and for future generations.
Stewardship
… means recognising that the ‘Earth is the Lord’s’, entrusted by God to us, and that we shall have to give account for our use of the earth’s resources and our relationship with the whole of His creation.
The challenge
Nature provides resources for human sustenance and activity and a rich environment for human creativity. It also evokes wonder and worship of God whose personality, power and creative genius are evident throughout creation.
Environmental damage and non-sustainable development are of widespread concern, but progress in translating words into action is constrained by many competing interests. The priorities of society are largely determined by the underlying values of its members whether as individuals, organisations, business or government.
The Church has a key role to play in shaping the values of society and thus in addressing environmental issues. However in recent times its voice has not often been heard, nor has it generally been to the fore in contributing to the environmental debate.
Agenda 21 of the Earth Summit calls on all sectors of society to work together towards sustainable development, the challenge being to balance the growing needs of human communities against the need to care for the environment.
Christians believe that God places great importance on all parts of his creation and has given to people a clear responsibility to be stewards of nature. There is an urgent need for us to translate our wonder at nature into practical care. Scientists, educators and Christian leaders have a unique opportunity to work together in partnership to encourage this and to help equip professionals in all walks of life with an ethical foundation for making decisions that affect the environment.
Projects
Projects form the core of JRI’s work. These focus either on specific issues or on developing core principles. Current projects include the following.
After Kyoto
… providing up-to-date information and commentary on global climate change. An initial briefing on the Kyoto Protocol is available.
Stewardship and agriculture
… bringing a ‘stewardship perspective’ to issues in global agriculture, in partnership with the Agricultural Christian Fellowship and the Church Mission Society.
Theology of the environment
… exploring Biblical teaching and theological reflection on creation and stewardship. The text of a lecture by Professor Gordon Wenham is online.
Publications
Briefing Papers
… provide information and commentary on a wide range of topics. All briefings are online. Those also published in printed form are listed on the response form and can be ordered from the JRI office. These are also available in PDF printable format.
Online Briefings
… provide dynamic web-based reporting of project outputs. Forthcoming topics include: foot-and-mouth disease, stewardship and agriculture, global climate change and environmental theology.
The Care of Creation
… edited by Professor R J Berry (IVP, 2000) 213 pp. This book brings together commentaries and perspectives of both theologians and environmentalists. It is available from JRI and Christian bookshops.
JRI also publish occasional papers, and JRI staff, directors and associates contribute to other periodicals and books.
Partnerships
JRI places a high priority on working in partnerships with other individuals and organisations. This is achieved by networking and consultation, by bringing people together in seminars and workshops, and by joint projects.
We aim to complement and contribute to the activities and outreach of the UK churches, and of interchurch groups such as the Environmental Issues Network of the Council of Churches in Britain and Ireland and the proposed Ecumenical Environmental Agency. Some organisations we work with include:
Agricultural Christian Fellowship (ACF)
A Rocha (Christians in Conservation)
Church of Scotland, Society, Religion & Technology Project
Christian Rural Concern (CRUC)
Institute for Contemporary Christianity
International Chamber of Commerce
Rural Theology Association (RTA)
How to find us
JRI is based at the University of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall (FCH), near Cheltenham town centre, with entrances from Swindon Road and St Paul’s Road as shown on the town map. Below there is guidance on getting to Cheltenham and finding the venue.
Map of Cheltenham locating FCH campus.
University guide on travelling to Cheltenham.
Guide for travel to Francis Close campus.
By Rail
Cheltenham Spa has rail services from London Paddington, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The railway station just over a mile from Francis Close Hall. Taxis include Connections (01242) 239939, Starline 250250 and A2B 580580.
During term-time the University’s intercampus bus service runs from the Rail Station hourly from 8.20 to 23.20, to Francis Close Hall via Park campus and the town centre. Take care at the Rail Station not to catch the bus going the other way, to the Gloucester campus.
By Road
Cheltenham is near junction 11 of the M5, and also accessible via the M40/A40 (Oxford) or the M4 (Swindon exit). National Express and local services arrive at the town centre Bus Station, half a mile from Francis Close Hall.
From Oxford & A40
Follow the A40, London Road in to Cheltenham through the Charlton Kings area. Go straight on at all junctions following signs to Town Centre. Straight after traffic lights junction with College Road and Hewlett Road the A40 joins the inner ring road and becomes one way: go immediately into the right hand lane after the traffic island. Take the first turning on the right (St James Street) sign-posted to Tewkesbury and Evesham. This is a one way street; stay in the left-hand lane. Bear left at the end, straight through the traffic lights. Pass through three more sets of traffic lights and turn right into Monson Avenue, just past a large open plan car park on your right. Turn left at the end of the road. Francis Close Hall car park is about 500m on the left, identifiable by the black iron railings.
From the M5 (northbound)
Exit the M5 at junction 11 and follow A40 Cheltenham. At the second roundabout turn right towards the Town Centre following the A40 (Lansdown Road). Join left-hand filter into Gloucester Road before traffic lights opposite the Shell Petrol station. Continue along Gloucester Road straight on at all junctions. After pedestrian crossing by Tesco move into right-hand lane – go straight on at traffic lights into one-way street, move into right-hand lane and turn right at the end. Take immediate tight left-hand turn under railway bridge (Carlton Place), and turn right at the end into St Pauls Road. Ignore red-brick wall gateway and turn into black wrought iron gateway which enters directly into Francis Close Hall car park.
From the M5 (southbound)
Exit the M5 at junction 10 and join Tewkesbury Road (A4019) at give way. Continue along Tewkesbury Road for approx. 2 miles, going straight on at all junctions. Look out for the large Tesco store on the right and Wicks / Office World on the left. At next set of lights filter left following sign for Recreation Centre. Move into right-hand lane (one-way street) and turn right at the end. Take immediate tight left-hand turn under railway bridge (Carlton Place), and turn right at the end into St Pauls Road. Ignore red brick wall gateway and turn into black wrought iron gateway which enters directly into Francis Close Hall Campus car park.
Francis Close Hall
To find our office (QW212) follow the signs to the Department of Theology and Religious Studies on the 2nd floor at location [12] on the siteplan below. The main lecture theatre is in the Teaching Centre on the ground floor at [8].
The main reception is at location 1. For evening visitors, the porter’s lodge is at [9].
Bicycle parking facilities are available at location 14, and inside the quadrangle. Car parking spaces on-site must be booked in advance. There is on-street parking in St Paul’s Road.
An InterCampus bus runs every 20 minutes from Cheltenham Rail Station to the Swindon Road entrance, location [13].
Can you help us?
If you share our vision …
- Get in touch with us. We’d be pleased to hear from you.
- Consider promoting JRI, for example in your area or church. Contact us for suitable material.
- Consider giving to JRI. We need funds both to cover our present needs and to expand the work.
- And please pray for JRI’s staff and work.
Can JRI help you?
Are you looking for scientifically informed Christian perspectives on environmental and related issues?
JRI provides online Briefing Notes and other publications from the JRI office. The Website also provides notification of forthcoming conferences and other items of news.
Would you like to be regularly updated on the JRI programme and notified of new publications? Complete the response form in order to be included on our mailing or e-mailing list.
Are you interested in working with JRI?
Consider joining the Associates Programme. Associates provide a local and personal point of contact with JRI, and help ‘spread the message’. They undergo a programme to acquire a knowledge of JRI’s core principles, and develop communication skills. Contact us for more details.
Would you like to increase awareness of the state of the global environment and of Christian principles of stewardship of creation? Invite JRI to make a presentation to your organisation or church. Subject to availability, we can usually help.