Is the Church Ready for Illegal Abortion?
By Herbie Newell
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) –
Several years ago, when videos of Planned Parenthood selling baby parts went
viral and lawmakers around the country responded with warranted shock and
disgust, we began to notice a renewed mission to protect pre-born children by
advocating for alternatives that support, protect and defend the sanctity of
life.
Only two years ago, Alabama passed a bill that made it a felony
for doctors to perform abortions. Just yesterday Texas implemented a law that bans abortion
after a baby’s heartbeat is detected. And last night, in a 5-4 vote, the
Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Texas law, thus declining to block it from
implementation. Thankfully, our nation is finally taking steps to recognize the
dignity and right to life of every unborn child!
However, we must ask
ourselves this question: If abortion becomes illegal nationwide, is the Church
prepared to respond to the needs of mothers who choose life and their children?
It is beyond encouraging to
see men and women rise up to defend the lives of babies in the womb, yet, there
is still much work to be done. We can sometimes forget that expectant mothers
face enormous circumstances that many times leads them to abortion. However,
what they need now is the same thing they needed in 1973 at the iconic Roe v.
Wade decision – they need to be met with biblical truth, open arms, compassion
and active concern. If we believe the fight for life has been won in
legislatures and courtrooms but fail to mobilize as an army of hope to women in
need, then our wins are hollow at best.
I fear that our energy and
attention within the Church can be so laser-focused on ending the atrocity of
abortion that we are left unprepared to respond to real women around us, in
desperate need of help and hope. I am convicted that more than ever the Church
must be prepared to take Gospel hope and Gospel action to vulnerable women. At
Lifeline Children’s Services, we have been praying and preparing for the day
when abortion is illegal, knowing that the fight for life will just be
beginning.
Here are several steps the
Church can take today:
Offer love and compassion
to women facing unexpected pregnancies. If abortion becomes illegal, a
woman will have two options: parenting or making an adoption plan. Some will
choose to parent but may not feel equipped. We must open our homes to women and
children needing a safe place to stay. We must come alongside these vulnerable
families by providing jobs, training and other resources needed to thrive as a
parent. We can journey with them by mentoring them and connecting them with
quality parenting classes and resources. We want these women to flourish and
thrive in their role as mothers. Ultimately, we want to point them to the Great
Rescuer – Jesus Christ, in whom they can find their valued identity and hope
for their future.
Cheer on women who choose
adoption. Some women will courageously choose adoption instead of parenting.
She is not “giving up” her baby, she is “lovingly placing” her baby for
adoption, and sacrificially giving that child a better future. Praise God!
Women must know that both parenting and placing for adoption are life-affirming
choices, and only after exploring all the options can they make an informed
decision. They must know that in adoption they have options in which family
they choose. And just like with those who choose to parent, women choosing
adoption will need the church to comfort and support them both before, during
and after an adoption decision.
Engage through foster care.
There are currently more than 400,000 children in U.S. foster care. The Church
has to be ready to stand in the gap for these children and parents by providing
stable interim care and by engaging birth families with Gospel-centered
parenting resources designed to show them Christ and to
help them parent with purpose.
By starting a foster care support ministry at your church,
volunteers can assist foster and adoptive parents by coming alongside them to
meet some of their tangible needs, such as providing meals, transportation and
babysitting. It’s equally as important to equip your church’s childcare team to
care for children from hard places. Additionally, the Church can engage with
foster care by mentoring women who choose life through Lifeline’s Families Count program.
Today, abortion is still
legal, but join me in praying for the day when the inherent dignity of every
human life is protected by our government. Let’s pray and prepare to meet women
and children with the love, care, compassion and action in the Gospel of Christ
Jesus.