The reality of our remarkably exclusive “inclusive” culture and society also plays a role in how much Christians want to get involved. Just the word “abortion” is a touchy and taboo word. It brings tension for many reasons, whether it’s the reminders of a prior abortion or involvement in a decision, or because of the divisive power it has between family and friends.
“That word” strikes a nerve with nearly everyone in some way.
In addition, we hear the words in the media and politics using words like, “militant,” “extremists,” “sensationalists,” and even “terrorists” as descriptions of the life-affirming community.
Additionally, abortion’s centrality as a topic for political candidates to speak to—especially in light of the horrendous Planned Parenthood illegal activities brought to light this past summer—cause many to label abortion as a “political’ issue, and therefore, not suitable for discussing about among family, friends and colleagues.
All of this has hindered our advances in protecting and defending the lives of the unborn, while adding to the tension of “that word”. With all this, there are bound to be Christians who are frozen in their fear of stepping out in faith and for the cause of the unborn.
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The question is, how do we help our brothers and sisters step out and get involved?
Engaging the Church with statistics and truth
I was born to this world in 1975. That year, according to statistics, the U.S. allowed 1,034,170 lives to be legally aborted. That number is astonishing—and it’s not even the highest number of all time. Because it was legal and accessible to end lives before they really had a chance, there over one million fewer 40-year-olds among us than we ought to have.
The statistics also show that as many as 3 in 10 women could experience an abortion in their lifetime. That's a lot of woman affected as well, not to mention the men, grandparents and siblings who deal with the pain of a past abortion.
The church congregation is also made up of many post-abortive women, with the Guttmacher Institute estimating more than 70 percent of American women who abort claim a religious affiliation. A recent survey conducted by Christianity Today and Care Net also found that two in three evangelical women who abort attend services on at least a monthly basis.
Churches have such an amazing position to meet families facing unplanned pregnancy challenges where they are, showing them Christ without judgement or condemnation. While we would all wish for a woman to feel comfortable telling her own church about her unexpected pregnancy, the reality is over half of post-abortive evangelicals have never told a fellow church member about her experience.
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People in our churches are hurting from abortion. All life is precious and of value to Jesus—the Founder and Head of the church—which is why all lives are held as precious and valuable to His church. In general, we realize this foundational truth in our churches, but it’s a meaningless platitude if it doesn’t translate into love and support for the woman experiencing an unexpected pregnancy.
With all we know through technology and science alone, the abortion issue rises to the very forefront of our responsibility as people of truth and light.
As pregnancy centers, maternity homes and non-profit adoption agencies, we are in a prime location for really engaging church leaders with the training, equipping and Christ-centered empowerment they need to effectively stand for life in our communities.
Church and Life-Affirming Partnership – What does that look like?
As the anniversary month of Roe v. Wade and the annual occasion for national events like Sanctity of Life Sunday and the March for Life—plus daily developments on the national stage regarding abortion, now is an ideal time to seek out and engage new church partners.
Two lead-in questions you might want to ask a church leader:
- Do you already support other life-affirming organizations?
- Did your church participate in Sanctity of Life Sunday?
If the answers to these two questions are no, request and schedule a time to meet with the pastor to discuss your organization. Especially in today’s environment, created by the Planned Parenthood videos, church leaders and other Christians may be stirred in a new way to make a stand for life, but may just need some ideas on how to do so in a compassionate, caring way.
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After the Church is engaged and ready to get involved, there are many possibilities of establishing a partnership with your organization.
Here are some questions I like to ask church leaders in my area:
- Can I leave you with copies of my brochure and business card for you to pass along to women or men either involved in an untimely pregnancy or who have been involved in a past abortion?
- Can you add my center’s website and contact information to your public resources boards or web links?
- Can someone from our organization get some face time with a women’s—or men’s—ministry meeting?
- Would one of your church’s small groups—or youth group—be interested in helping out with our upcoming banquet? What about our scheduled repainting day next month?
- Would you like to come by and meet our staff? We’ll give you the grand tour, along with anyone you want to bring along—other church staff, youth groups, etc.
- Would you be interested in financially supporting us on an ongoing basis? Create a domestic donation partnership with your organization where a portion of Church tithing will be distributed to your organization on a monthly basis.
These are just a few ideas to start. Imagine what kind of impact our life-affirming ministries would have if we were able to engage every single church in our mission!
