New Brunswick Theological Seminary - Science for Seminaries

New Brunswick Theological Seminary

https://nbts.edu/

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New Brunswick Theological Seminary is helping New Jersey faith communities meet one of the region’s most urgent environmental challenges. CARE-TECH NJ (Creation Care, Accountability and Regenerative Ethics for Technology and Environmental Community Health in New Jersey) is an initiative that brings together theology, science, and ministry to respond to the rapid rise of AI data centers across the New York City-Philadelphia corridor by combining theological reflection with scientific insight, helping clergy and community leaders understand how emerging technologies affect environmental community health. Rather than leaving these issues in the abstract, CARE-TECH NJ turns learning into practical tools for ministry, giving faith leaders resources they can use in worship, education, advocacy, and congregational life.

The initiative is led by New Brunswick Theological Seminary faculty in collaboration with environmental scientists, ministry practitioners, and faith partners. The initiative begins with an on-campus seminar where the NBTS community and the broader public explore how AI infrastructure growth in New Jersey affects the climate, bringing theological reflection into dialogue with environmental science, industry perspectives, scripture, and current environmental data. This broader engagement is supported by two connected efforts: a capacity-building workshop that gives clergy and lay leaders practical resources for addressing climate issues in their congregations, and a course-integration initiative that develops and embeds CARE-TECH NJ content into bible and ethics courses while also producing sermon materials, small-group guides, and community action resources for pastoral use.

CARE-TECH NJ represents a timely and compelling model of public faith engagement. It shows how seminaries and congregations can respond to technological change with moral clarity, scientific literacy, and concern for the well-being of both people and planet. In a state where environmental pressures are intensifying, CARE-TECH NJ helps to ensure that community leaders are prepared to lead with wisdom, accountability, and hope.

Contact information

Dr. Terry Ann Smith
Associate Dean/Associate Professor of Biblical Studies

tsmith@nbts.edu
Dr. Beth Tanner
The Norman and Mary Kansfield Chair of Old Testament
btanner@nbts.edu
Learn about the other Participant Schools

In furtherance of the AAAS mission of advancing science in service to society, AAAS|DoSER’s role in the Science for Seminaries project is to support efforts to integrate science into seminary education. AAAS|DoSER does not advise on or endorse the theological content of the participating seminaries.