As Christians gathered to explore how faith informs their response to pressing global issues, animal welfare emerged as a crucial yet often overlooked area for compassionate action. From Dr Dustin Crummet’s compelling theological insights on why animal advocacy is an essential part of Christian impact to Archbishop Justin Welby’s heartfelt reflections on the suffering of animals in factory farms, the conference highlighted a renewed commitment to seeing animals as part of God’s beloved creation.
On 8 November 2024, the Christians for Impact (CFI) Conference brought together passionate Christians and influential voices from various fields to explore pressing issues including global poverty, disease prevention and climate change. Held over two days, the conference provided a rich platform for examining the intersections of faith and social justice, with one theme emerging as particularly resonant: animal cruelty. With this issue addressed repeatedly in talks and discussions, it was refreshing to see a conference treat animal welfare as a vital aspect of Christian witness.
Animal cruelty, particularly in factory farming, emerged as a powerful call to action, challenging attendees to consider how their faith might shape their response to the suffering of non-human animals. The conference wasn’t just an opportunity for education; it was an urgent appeal to Christians to embrace their role as compassionate stewards of creation.
Dr Dustin Crummett: Why Helping Animals Maximizes Christian Impact
The event opened with a thought-provoking talk by Dr Dustin Crummett titled, Why You Might Have Maximum Impact by Helping Animals in which he argued that animal welfare is not only impactful but also critically neglected. Crummett presented a compelling theological case for why Christians should prioritise helping animals, emphasising that animals are among the most underserved and vulnerable members of God’s creation. This neglect, he explained, makes them particularly deserving of Christian compassion and advocacy.
Dr Crummett’s theological reflections laid a foundation for attendees to view animal welfare as central to their faith, not peripheral. By acknowledging the inherent value of all creatures, Dr Crummett made a compelling case that Christians are called to engage with the suffering of animals, an often overlooked population, as a profound act of faith. His insights inspired many to see animal advocacy as a unique way to live out the values of love and justice.
A Call to Compassion: Why Christians Should Care About Animals
In my afternoon talk, Why Should Christians Care About Animals?, I aimed to challenge attendees to reconsider the role of animals within the Christian faith. Many of us tend to see animals as beloved but not necessarily central to our spiritual lives. Yet, as I pointed out, this view is actually a departure from history. Christians once led the fight against animal cruelty, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become the RSPCA. This legacy reminds us that animal welfare has long been an essential part of our faith—not just a personal preference.
Today, however, industrial farming presents a stark moral challenge. Factory farms confine animals in unnatural and often painful conditions, revealing a troubling gap between our faith’s values and the reality of how animals are treated. I shared a glimpse into these conditions, describing chickens crammed into massive sheds, where each bird’s life is reduced to an economic figure—no more than £1.50. Male chicks, considered “worthless” in these systems, are killed shortly after birth. Such practices challenge the Christian view of creation as inherently good and worthy of our care.
The Bible gives us a clear foundation for reconsidering our treatment of animals. I referenced passages like Luke 13:34, where Jesus compares his love to that of a mother hen sheltering her chicks, and Matthew 10:29, reminding us that even the smallest sparrow is known and loved by God. These verses illustrate that animals hold intrinsic worth as part of God’s creation, not just resources for human use. Reclaiming this perspective is crucial for those of us who wish to live out principles of stewardship, mercy, and justice.
My hope is that caring for animals will be seen not just as a moral obligation but as a faithful response to God’s love for all His creatures. When we extend compassion beyond ourselves, we honour the Creator and help build a world where all of creation can flourish as God intended.
Theological Reflection from Archbishop Justin Welby
The highlight of the afternoon was a keynote conversation between former politician and author Rory Stewart and Archbishop Justin Welby. When asked, Do you think Christianity has anything to say about the billions of animals suffering in factory farms and what we owe them as part of God’s creation?, Archbishop Welby referenced Colossians 1:20, emphasising that God’s reconciliation extends to “all things,” including animals. He lamented how factory farming systems prevent animals from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for them, expressing a vision of creation where all creatures are free to flourish as part of God’s good design.
Photo credit: Christians for Impact
Practical Solutions: What Can We Do About Factory Farming?
In his insightful presentation, Thom Norman, Co-Founder of FarmKind, emphasised the significant role that strategic giving plays in combating factory farming. He highlighted that while individual lifestyle changes, such as adopting plant-based diets, are valuable, supporting effective animal charities can amplify our impact exponentially.
FarmKind serves as a platform that guides donors toward organisations making substantial strides in animal welfare. By collaborating with expert evaluators, FarmKind identifies and recommends charities that effectively address the cruelties of factory farming and its environmental repercussions.
Norman encouraged attendees to consider directing their resources to these high-impact organisations. By doing so, Christians can support systemic changes that alleviate animal suffering and promote more humane and sustainable farming practices.
Moving Forward: A Legacy of Compassion, A Future of Hope
The Christians for Impact Conference demonstrated that times are indeed changing, with a growing number of Christians, particularly young people, recapturing the rich heritage of Christian animal advocacy. In centuries past, Christians were often at the forefront of campaigns against cruelty and injustice toward animals, and this conference showed that this legacy is being revived in powerful ways. The consistent focus on animal welfare throughout the event highlighted a renewed commitment within the faith community to address the urgent need for compassion toward all of God’s creatures.
Seeing the enthusiasm and determination of young Christians at the conference was a reminder that our faith’s call to stewardship resonates deeply with new generations. These young advocates recognise that addressing animal suffering is an inseparable part of living out justice, mercy, and love, and they are leading the charge in making a real impact. Their dedication offers hope that a compassionate approach to animals can once again be a defining aspect of the Christian witness.
As we look to the future, let us join these changemakers in bearing witness to a faith that values all life. By embracing this compassionate legacy and making ethical choices in our everyday lives, we can contribute to a movement that honours creation and reflects God’s love for every creature.
Daryl Booth – Founder of Sarx
