Many pro-life advocates feel the church is simply not doing enough to address the problem of abortion in our culture. Though it is fair to have a feeling of urgency to awaken and motivate God’s people to address a massive moral ill of our time, there are some things to be encouraged about.
The church has more organizations and curriculums than ever before with practical suggestions to help the faithful dive into pro-life advocacy. One could say many pastors and even pro-life advocates simply don’t realize the plethora of church resources that are available.
Many churches that are pro-life participate in Sanctity of Life Sunday - thus preaching on the topic once a year. They may additionally support parishioners who go to an annual pregnancy center fundraising banquet or organize an annual baby bottle fundraising drive. Supporting one’s local pregnancy help center financially and through volunteering is vital in the fight. Many long to do even more but aren’t sure where to start.
Looking beyond simple financial partnership, churches can benefit from the hands-on expertise of pregnancy centers, inviting them to train staff, speak to youth, and care for needy families. The church and centers can and should cross-refer.
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To get their congregations excited about supporting life, churches increasingly recognize a need to educate their congregation with apologetics training in how to argue for life.
Churchgoers need to understand that after a woman has chosen life at a pregnancy center, she may need ongoing support from a local church, and real ongoing relationships.
Furthermore, a choice for life is just the beginning of a mother’s journey. She may need other types of charitable or church services - from adoption ministry to food banks to addiction recovery.
Thus, every ministry of the church should be prepared to understand and address the needs of a pregnant or parenting woman and her family, refer her for help, and show her love and acceptance on Sundays and beyond.
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First, many churches have implemented a denominational-specific program to help their tradition engage in the pro-life movement (An overview of the major denominations’ views and statements on the abortion issue through downloading the Her PLAN Pathways Guide for the appendix “Denominational Guide for Life”):
- Anglican Church of North America (Anglicans for Life)
- Roman Catholicism (Priests for Life/USCCB United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
- Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Life Office/Lutherans for Life)
- Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (Christian Life Resources)
- Orthodox Church in America (Orthodox Christian for Life)
- Presbyterian (Presbyterians Protecting Life)
- United Methodist (Lifewatch)
- Evangelical (Love Life/Stand for Life/Speak for the Unborn/White Rose Resistance)
- Southern Baptist (Psalm 139 Project)
Many curriculums exist to inform the church about the abortion and life issues.
- Energizing Churches to Engage in Pro-Life Work from Heartbeat International Academy
- Courageously Pro-Life by Sarah Bowen
- Project Life by Anglicans for Life
- Image of God by Stand for Life
- Making Life Disciples by Care Net
- Pro-Grace Ministries Church Study (people, not politics)
- Start Course 101 and 201 by Save the Storks
- Speak for the Unborn Voice for Life Training
- Sisters of Life Into Life Videos
Below are some guides intended to help people find their place in the pro-life movement.
These organizations and guides can help with establishing a pro-life ministry in your church and getting started with supporting mothers and their children, loving and helping them both:
- Her PLAN Pathways to Life Guide and Pathways Suggestions by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
- Help Her Be Brave Book and Online Quiz by Amy Ford of Embrace Grace
- Walking with Moms in Need Guide by the USCCB
- Standing with You Church Partnership by Students for Life
There is so much out there in terms of pro-life resources aimed at the church. We just have to know where to look and become inspired to take action. Every action, large or small, makes a difference towards building a culture of life.
