To the Church

The problem of abortion and the church:

Some Christian women walk silently into their abortions, having confessed to no one the decision they've made to end the lives of their babies.  

At the same time, others, wearing crosses and Christian t-shirts, are "shouting" their abortions and defying pleas from concerned (also Christian) advocates stationed just outside of abortion facilities, offering help and trying to defend the lives of these little ones in the womb.  

We, as the body of Christ, have yielded to the cultural attitudes of the day, and have failed to stand in the pulpit or in the public square for God’s righteousness, truth and justice. We are not reaching men & women before their hands are stained with the blood of their own offspring. 

The Lord Jesus Christ gave this charge to His followers: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18b-20)

The Church has focused on “making disciples” by trying to attract newcomers to her corporate worship services on Sunday mornings and then have them become members of a local body. What we have failed to do, is to fully execute His command to teach His disciples "to obey all that He has commanded."  

"Love one another" and "do not murder" go hand in hand. We are responsible for this message. As the body of Christ, we must give account to Him who sees all we do for Him in the administration of grace and truth, of justice and mercy, and for the cause of His righteousness in our culture. 

This is not legalism. Our God is glorified when we advance truth into the culture (ie: John the Baptist, Jeremiah the Prophet – and above all – the Lord Jesus Christ).  The Gospel offers real hope for real sinners. And such were some of us.

The Church must be about the Father's business. God hates the shedding of innocent blood. God's people must lead in the efforts against abortion from the front – in repentance, truth, and action.   

What Can the Pastor Do?

This is not an exhaustive list... 

PRAY AND REPENT: 

From the pulpit, teach God's flock what He says about making people in His image, about the shedding of innocent blood, murder, and sexual sins. Do this faithfully - not just once a year. 

Regularly lead your congregation in prayers of repentance for this national sin. Repent of fearing man or civil magistrates who defy God. Of delegating our responsibilities against child sacrifice to the government or to pregnancy centers, rather than wading into the community ourselves.  Ask God for power to intervene on behalf of the lives He created for His own purpose & glory – who are now being led to the slaughter. 

LEARN: 

About abortion methods & fetal development. 

Become familiar with the reasons women give for having an abortion and adept at countering these excuses with biblical refutations. 

Understand the horrifying effects of incremental measures (supposedly intended to limit abortion, but which instead have the opposite result!), and educate others about the need for complete eradication of abortion based on the Word of God. 

Arrange for a speaker who is experienced in this fight to speak to your congregation and/or small groups.

START: 

A church group to go to local abortion facilities & intervene on behalf of the preborn image-bearers of God. Hold these little humans back from being slaughtered. Pray & sing on premises as a starting point. Move on to holding signs & sharing literature; offer to help the mother keep her baby. All of these can be used of the Lord to save lives and intervene on behalf of the Gospel for the lost. 

Share your church's position on abortion on your website. Use social media to raise awareness on the horrors of abortion and the need for it to stop now.  

Organize a church group to go to the colleges, high schools, street corners and front doors of the community and educate our neighbors on the sin of abortion and the licentiousness and greed that lead to it.  More and more abortions are happening in private homes where neither government nor the church has a direct presence! 

SPEAK UP: 

Encourage members to join you regularly as you go out into the community and to educate and confront the sin of abortion.  Use both truth and love to help men and women repent of their tolerance of evil. 

Share what you've learned about the atrocities of abortion and our apathy with church members in small groups, men's & women's groups, even teen groups - materials are available regarding a Bible-based viewpoint on life beginning at conception, abortion & sexual purity. 

Encourage members to let their local, state and federal representatives know that as lesser magistrates, they are liable before God to take a stand against the murder of innocents who are being deprived of their rights & due process as human beings.  

Do the same yourself, as a private citizen. 

What Can the Lay Person Do?

Support your pastor in doing the things noted above. Help him and repent with him.

All of the suggestions can be applied by laity, too (except the preaching & leading congregational prayers), as you move forward in obedience to our Lord, and obey the command to love our neighbors - from conception to natural death.