Are Christian Organizations Relevant in Promoting Environmental Conservation in Malawi? An Ideological Analysis

Across the world, environmental conservation has become one of the defining challenges of our time. Climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss are no longer abstract global issues—they are daily realities, especially in vulnerable countries like Malawi. In this struggle for sustainability, faith-based organizations, particularly Christian churches, play a unique role[1].

Christianity is deeply embedded in Malawian society, shaping values, culture, and moral perspectives. From colonial times to the democratic transition of the 1990s, churches have been central to Malawi’s social and political transformation. But beyond politics, can they also be leaders in environmental conservation? This blog explores that question by focusing on three influential Christian bodies in Malawi: the Lilongwe Catholic Diocese, the Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP), and the Anglican Diocese of Lake Malawi. Each of these organizations has developed its own ideology for engaging with environmental challenges—yet their impact is uneven and not fully understood.

Why focus on Christian organizations?

Malawi’s forests and natural resources are under severe threat. Forest reserves such as Dzalanyama, Nkhotakota, and Kasungu are on the brink of depletion due to human activity. Science points clearly to the role of human behavior in accelerating environmental degradation. Yet, some Christian groups interpret environmental change as part of God’s natural design, suggesting that human beings play only a limited role in influencing climate and ecosystems[2].

This theological tension is critical. Christianity not only guides personal morality but also shapes collective worldviews, which in turn influence behavior. As theologian Hiagbe notes, Christianity forms a cultural base that defines how people interpret reality and make decisions[3]. In a country where most of the population identifies as Christian, the way churches frame environmental issues could make a decisive difference.

Why does ideology matter?

Some might ask: why stress ideology when the goal is simply to conserve nature? The answer is that ideologies provide direction, motivation, and continuity[4]. They guide leaders, influence followers, and help pass values from one generation to another. Without a shared ideological foundation, conservation risks becoming a series of disconnected projects rather than a sustainable cultural shift.

As Marx and Engels noted, ideology forms the abstract ideas that shape real behavior[5]. In the Malawian context, where churches command moral authority, a unified and well-communicated ideology could mobilize millions in the fight against deforestation and climate change.

The study approach

To explore this, we engaged 38 key informants drawn from the three denominations. Using a qualitative design, we focused on interviews, documents, and content analysis. This helped us understand how each organization interprets environmental conservation ideologically, how those beliefs are translated into action, and what challenges arise in the process. The framework of structural functionalism guided our analysis—reminding us that just as the parts of a body must work together, society’s institutions must cooperate for environmental sustainability.

The ideologies: three different paths

1. The Green Anglican Movement

The Anglican Church in Malawi follows the regional “Green Anglican” movement, which began in Southern Africa. At its heart lies the belief that Christians are called to be “Earth keepers” and stewards of God’s creation. The Anglican Communion even lists care for creation as one of its five marks of mission.

In Malawi, Anglican clergy describe it as their duty to ensure the world reverts to its original, God-given state. The church works with partners like the Forestry Department and the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI), engaging especially with youth. Tree planting campaigns, waste management initiatives, and community clean-up activities are all rooted in this ideology.

While inspiring, the movement faces challenges. Awareness of the ideology is concentrated among clergy and church leaders, while ordinary members often remain detached from its principles. Leadership commitment and stronger grassroots engagement are crucial if this ideology is to take root deeply in Malawian society.

2. Catholicism and ‘Care for Our Common Home’

The Catholic Church draws heavily from Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for urgent global action against environmental degradation. The encyclical frames the environment as a common good, belonging to all, and criticizes consumerism and irresponsible development.

In Malawi, the Catholic Church has translated this ideology into action through institutions like the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM). Projects include soil and water conservation, promotion of renewable energy, and climate change adaptation initiatives. The church collaborates closely with government departments and international Catholic networks, reinforcing its influence.

However, just like the Anglicans, the ideology tends to resonate more with church leaders than with the wider congregation. While the Catholic hierarchy is vocal about climate issues, translating papal teaching into daily practice among ordinary Malawians remains a challenge.

3. The CCAP and Creation Control

The CCAP Nkhoma Synod promotes what it calls “Creation Control.” Rooted in Genesis, this ideology frames human beings as stewards with authority to manage the earth responsibly. For the CCAP, the environment exists to glorify God, and humans must use it wisely in service of that purpose.

Practically, this has meant partnerships with organizations like World Vision to promote reforestation, provide seedlings, and encourage responsible land use. CCAP leaders emphasize that environmental care is not optional—it is a biblical mandate.

Yet, as with the other denominations, awareness is uneven. Many congregants see environmental activities like tree planting as one-off projects rather than a deeper expression of faith.

Common challenges across denominations

A key finding of our study is that while these three ideologies are distinct, they share similar weaknesses:

1. Limited awareness- Knowledge of the ideologies is concentrated among clergy and senior officials. Ordinary church members are often unaware of their church’s environmental stance.
2. Fragmentation- Each denomination follows its own ideology, leading to a lack of cohesion. Efforts are not harmonized, reducing their collective impact.
3. Implementation gaps- Ideologies often remain at the level of rhetoric, with practical projects underfunded or inconsistently executed.
4. Over-reliance on external support– Many activities depend on partnerships with NGOs or donor funding, raising questions about long-term sustainability.

Moving forward: towards unity and impact

Our research suggests that Christian organizations in Malawi are relevant but underutilized actors in environmental conservation. They already have extensive grassroots networks, moral legitimacy, and a track record of influencing social change—as seen in their role in the country’s democratic transition. What is needed now is:

• Cohesion- Churches should consider harmonizing their ideologies into a shared national faith-based environmental agenda.
• Communication- Ideologies must move beyond clergy to reach ordinary members, especially youth, who represent the future.
• Practical engagement– Environmentalism should not be seen as side projects but integrated into the core mission of the church.
• Partnerships- Collaboration with government, NGOs, and other faiths can strengthen capacity and reach.

Conclusion

Christian organizations in Malawi stand at a critical crossroads. Their ideologies—whether “Green Anglican,” “Care for Our Common Home,” or “Creation Control”—offer powerful theological justifications for environmental stewardship. Yet, without stronger communication, cohesion, and grassroots involvement, these ideologies risk remaining abstract.

The challenge is not whether Christian organizations are relevant—they clearly are. The challenge is whether they can move from fragmented, leader-centered approaches to unified, community-driven action. If they succeed, they could play a transformative role in saving Malawi’s forests and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

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[1] Bhagwat Shonil A., Ormsby Alison A., & Rutte Claudia (2011). The Role of Religion in Linking Conservation and Development: Challenges and Opportunities. JSRNC, 5(1), 39 – 60. Doi:10.1558/jsrnc.v5:1.39

[2] Sangala, T. (2015) Kungoni uses culture to conserve environment, http://times.mw/kungoni-uses-culture-to-conserve-environment/ accessed on 2 December 2021.

[3] Hiagbe, Komi Ahiatroga. (2015). The Church and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Afric”. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 41 (2):164-79. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/257.

[4] Laurin, K., & Chua, K. Q. (2025). Ideology, motivation, and consistency between beliefs and behaviors. In Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 71, pp. 181-241). Academic Press.

[5] Marx, Karl, and Frederick Engels (1976), The German Ideology, in Collected Works, volume 5, New York, International Publishers.