Pastor, post-abortive women are in your pews

I actually have a collection of stupid pastor quotes related to the LIFE issue. (Yes, some of my own comments are on the list.) My favorite comes from the 2006 South Dakota abortion ban battle where a Sioux Falls pastor who said regarding abortion, "we can't read God's mind on this." I suppose if you come from the camp that disregards the authority of God's Word you ARE in the dark about what God is thinking. Another local pastor, one who led the way in our local "Pastors for Moral Choice" group, likes to remind people who listen to him that "abortion" isn't mentioned in the Bible. I like to retort, neither is the Trinity and then mention I have a list of over 100 verses that directly apply. Check out the one I just added to my list.

Most pastors I talk to though express reasonable reservations about tackling this subject. Here are just a few of their concerns…

1. "An abortion message would make the women in my church who've had an abortion feel bad."
2. "I'm going to just stick to preaching the gospel."
3. "I'd be out of a job."
4. "There would be people who get up and walk out."
5. "If I allow petitions in my church, I'll lose my 501c3 status."

I'll just comment on the first one here and address the others in later posts. Of the 45+ million abortions done in the US since 1973, 70% were babies from Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish homes. Pastor, that means it is a near certainty that post-abortive women are sitting in your church each weekend. From experience I can tell you preaching a strong LIFE message brings all that right back up. And that's a good thing.

Do you avoid talking about other topics because you might touch a nerve? How will you lead these gals into a place of healing and forgiveness if all this is suppressed? The little life aborted died in vain if mom doesn't ever come to a place where her story helps others take a different path. The reality that abortion hurts women is a key part of how God is lifting the respectability facade currently over Planned Parenthood. Subjects we avoid stay in the dark, and we are called to bring light to the darkness.

Here are a few tips - I preach boldly on themes like the Biblical Doctrine of Bloodguilt and the shedding of innocent blood. But those weekends I'm extra careful to preach forgiveness and healing. We have a few women in each service who been through the post-abortion healing process who are happy to remain after the service to talk with women who needs someone to talk with. I recommend a women giving her testimony before you speak.