Being a pro-life church

Is your church pro-life? I mean really pro-life?

As a body, are you encouraging each other to not only think in a pro-life way but also act in a pro-life way? Undeniably, Christians have been the backbone of the pro-life movement since its inception. If more churches would harness their membership and organizational power on behalf of pro-life causes, however, perhaps the tide could be turned in America and we would once again live in a society that values every human life. Let’s think about some practical ways your church members can be pro-life:

Remember senior adults

“You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the old (Leviticus 19:32).”

The aging Baby Boomer generation coupled with advances in health care have produced a growing senior population. Ministry to the senior adults in your area will be a blessing to all involved. Make an effort to connect the younger families in your church with senior adults. Encourage them to keep in touch, help with household tasks and errands, and share special days together.

Teach your children

“Impress these words of mine on your hearts and souls . . . teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

Explain to your children from an early age why human life is sacred. Impress upon them that humans are made in the image of God, who loves and has a purpose for every person. In age-appropriate ways, prepare them to defend the pro-life ethic.

Pray for a pro-life ministry

“In everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

The pro-life ministries in your area covet your prayers! Pregnancy care centers,

Baptist children’s homes, Christian nursing homes and adoption agencies are just a few of the pro-life ministries that depend on God’s grace and the prayers of his people. Most will joyfully provide you with a list of their prayer concerns.

Support a pregnancy care center

“Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter” (Proverbs 24:11).

Pregnancy care centers typically have a paid director and some paid staff, but they could not function without an army of volunteers. If your church members have skills such as nursing, sonography, counseling, fund raising, graphic design, etc., your local pregnancy care center probably needs their help.

Establish a mentoring organization

“Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but him who sent me” (Mark 9:37).

The National Fatherhood Initiative reported that in 2006, 23.3 percent of children lived in single-mother families. Many single parents are eager to ?nd Christian role models for their children. In the past, parents looked to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; that organization now requires that every local af?liate accept homosexuals as mentors. You could establish a Christian mentoring organization within your congregation, being diligent to implement measures to protect the children from abuse.

Express your opinion

“You are the light of the world . . . let your light shine before men” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

Issues regarding the sanctity of human life are constantly being debated in the media and in local, state, and federal go