{"id":237357,"date":"2021-01-04T09:45:44","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T15:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=237357"},"modified":"2021-01-03T23:41:53","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T05:41:53","slug":"equip-church-culture-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/equip-church-culture-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How to equip the church to help build a culture of life"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

(Save the Storks<\/a>) When it comes to the issue of abortion,\u00a0<\/span>one would expect the church to have the loudest pro-life voice<\/span>. Unfortunately, too many churches feel that pro-life discussions will\u00a0<\/span>produce a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>negative response<\/a>\u00a0from their congregation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With such<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0strong biblical view on\u00a0<\/span>the sanctity of life<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0what is\u00a0<\/span>holding pastors<\/span><\/a>\u00a0back from speaking up<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0How can we equip the church to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>advocate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>for the unborn?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First, we must understand some of the beliefs<\/span>\u00a0that hold pastors back from speaking about pro-<\/span>life<\/span>\u00a0issues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Belief #1:\u00a0Being pro-life is a\u00a0political issue\u00a0that should not be discussed at church\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>pro-life movement is<\/span>\u00a0usually<\/span>\u00a0identified as a\u00a0<\/span>political<\/span><\/i>\u00a0movement<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>But this masks<\/span>\u00a0the seriousness of the true matter at hand: abortion hurts women and the unborn.\u00a0<\/span>Being p<\/span>ro<\/span>-life should never be<\/span>\u00a0solely<\/span>\u00a0a political issue<\/span>. It<\/span>\u00a0is, and always will be, a biblical and human rights issue. As teachers of the Word of God, pastors should<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>uphold<\/span>\u00a0scriptural teaching<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Theologian John Piper said, \u201cthe Word of God is the standard of truth, not a political ideology or camp\u201d (<\/span>CareNet<\/a>).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Belief #2<\/span><\/b>:\u00a0If I speak up I will be associated with<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0extreme pro-life\u00a0activism\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many years, being pro-life was akin to standing outside of abortion clinics with<\/span>\u00a0photos of aborted\u00a0<\/span>babies and<\/span>\u00a0yelling insults. So, what has changed? First, the new face of pro-life is now focused\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>love and compassion<\/a>.\u00a0 They want to meet\u00a0women where they are and help\u00a0<\/span>them<\/span>. Hopefully, to make abortion unthinkable.\u00a0<\/span>Second, the pro-life movement provides a real service to their community through pregnancy resource centers (PRCs). PRCs provide medical and material resources at little to no cost to women in need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

WATCH: Parents choose life after viewing a Live Action abortion video<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rather than fearing association with the \u201cextreme\u201d pro-life activists,<\/span>\u00a0pastors\u00a0<\/span>can model God\u2019s heart of compassion and create<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>their own pro-life ministry. Additionally, they can show<\/span>\u00a0love and grace while partnering with\u00a0<\/span>pregnancy resource centers<\/span>\u00a0or other local ministries<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Belief #3:\u00a0I\u2019m not equipped enough to talk about abortion\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As\u00a0<\/span>a leader of a congregation, it can seem overwhelming to\u00a0<\/span>speak about something you\u2019re not an expert on<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Because of this, many pastors put off\u00a0<\/span>pro-life talks altogether.\u00a0<\/span>But there are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>resources<\/a>\u00a0available<\/span>\u00a0on the topic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>P<\/span>astors<\/span>\u00a0have a wonderful opportunity to learn<\/span>\u00a0more about this subject in order to<\/span>\u00a0better serve the<\/span>ir<\/span>\u00a0congregation through the Word of God.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The more these resources are utilized, the better equipped pastors will become.<\/span><\/p>\n

Belief\u00a0#4:\u00a0Speaking about abortion may drive away\u00a0people\u00a0in the congregation who have had past abortions\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

When a pastor is silent about such\u00a0<\/span>a serious subject it sends the wrong message. It tells th<\/span>ose\u00a0<\/span>affected by abortion<\/span>\u00a0that their pain<\/span>\u00a0and past is too shameful\u00a0<\/span>to be\u00a0<\/span>addressed<\/span>\u00a0from the pulpit.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0Concern for their congregation is a valid approach<\/span>. However, it shouldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0prevent\u00a0<\/span>pastors from teaching on the grace\u00a0<\/span>and redemption of God.\u00a0<\/span>By showing church members that there is hope after abortion,\u00a0<\/span>the church will transform into a place that is welcome to those with post-abortive tr<\/span>auma.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do we equip the church?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter what keeps a pastor from addressing abortion from the pulpit, we can help introduce them to tools and resources.\u00a0<\/span>Know<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the Biblical truth about abortion as well as what God says about redemption is critical. When church leaders continue learning to better serve their church, they\u00a0<\/span>have the opportunity\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0aid in the healing process for many women. Or even save women and babies in their congregation from the heartbreak of abortion.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

P<\/span>artnering with local pregnancy centers and churches\u00a0<\/span>can be\u00a0<\/span>a valuable asset<\/span>\u00a0to people in the church dealing with abortion in their past.\u00a0<\/span>By connecting with a local pregnancy center, churches\u00a0<\/span>are able to<\/span>\u00a0serve their community and learn about starting a post-abortive recovery ministry or counseling programs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article originally was originally published at Save the Storks<\/a> and is reprinted here with permission.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLike\u201d Live Action News on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for more pro-life news and commentary!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Save the Storks) When it comes to the issue of abortion,\u00a0one would expect the church to have the loudest pro-life voice. Unfortunately, too many churches feel that pro-life discussions will\u00a0produce a\u00a0negative response\u00a0from their congregation.\u00a0\u00a0 With such\u00a0a\u00a0strong biblical view on\u00a0the sanctity of life,\u00a0what is\u00a0holding pastors\u00a0back from speaking up?\u00a0How can we equip the church to\u00a0advocate\u00a0for the unborn?\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":785,"featured_media":54543,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[2793,7077,3473],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to equip the church to help build a culture of life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Certain concerns prevent pastors\u00a0from speaking out against abortion. 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