As I continue my PhD studies in Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), I find myself reflecting on what it means to live intentionally with the natural world — especially in a place like South Carolina, where the landscapes and ecosystems are so deeply intertwined with our history and identity. After 15 years of teaching in the Carolinas, and now in a new chapter focused on ministry, writing, and research, I’m more convinced than ever that we need a fresh perspective to navigate our relationship with the environment. One concept that has emerged as particularly compelling for me is what I’m calling “Ecological Intentionality.”
What is Ecological Intentionality?
Ecological Intentionality is about consciously engaging with the natural world in a way that acknowledges its inherent value, complexity, and spiritual significance. It’s not just about recognizing the environment as a resource to be managed, but rather seeing it as a dynamic partner in our shared existence. This idea grows out of my work in phenomenology — the study of how we experience and perceive the world — and challenges us to think beyond the human-centered perspectives that often dominate our thinking about ecology.
In South Carolina, where the coastlines, forests, rivers, and wetlands all hold rich stories and deep cultural significance, Ecological Intentionality takes on a special meaning. It calls us to awaken to the ways in which our lives are entangled with the land and to the spiritual lessons that our environment offers if we choose to listen. The ancient oaks in the Lowcountry, the flowing waters of the Congaree, and even the changing seasons across the Piedmont remind us of the intricate connections between all living things.
Ecological Intentionality in Faith Communities
In my ministry in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, I’ve witnessed how faith communities can play a transformative role in rethinking our relationship with the environment. We live in a time when environmental crises are both immediate and overwhelming — from the hurricanes that batter our coastlines to the slower, less visible changes like the warming of our waters and the loss of biodiversity in our forests.
Ecological Intentionality offers a new lens through which faith communities can approach these challenges. It moves beyond the idea of stewardship as mere responsibility and invites us to see our relationship with the Earth as a profound spiritual practice. It’s about cultivating a deeper awareness of the sacredness of all creation and recognizing our interconnectedness with every part of it—not just as caretakers but as co-inhabitants of a shared space.
Bringing Phenomenology into Ecological Conversations
This concept also intersects with my studies at CIIS, where I am exploring how phenomenological approaches can inform contemporary theological understandings of ecology. Phenomenology, mainly as developed by thinkers like Edmund Husserl, emphasizes the importance of direct experience and consciousness in shaping how we perceive the world. It suggests that by intentionally focusing on our lived experiences with the natural world — by noticing the texture of the soil, the sound of the wind through the trees, the way light filters through a canopy — we can come to a more profound understanding of our place within it.
This approach is particularly relevant in South Carolina. Our state’s landscapes have been shaped by centuries of human interaction, from the agricultural practices of the Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans who cultivated the rice fields of the Lowcountry to the modern-day tensions between development and conservation. Ecological Intentionality encourages us to engage these histories thoughtfully and to seek out the spiritual lessons that can be found in our everyday interactions with the environment.
A Call to Action for South Carolinians
While I may no longer be teaching in a traditional classroom, I still see education as a vital tool for awakening ecological awareness. Whether through sermons, workshops, or community dialogues, I want to encourage others to embrace Ecological Intentionality in their own lives. This concept is not just for academics or environmentalists; it’s for anyone who feels called to reconnect with the Earth meaningfully.
South Carolina, with its unique blend of natural beauty, history, and cultural diversity, offers a fertile ground for exploring these ideas. I believe we have an opportunity to lead the way in creating new models of community and spiritual life that honor the Earth as an integral part of our shared story. By adopting an intentional approach to how we live with our surroundings, we can begin to build a more just, sustainable, and spiritually enriched future for all.
