In a recent blog post from Care Net, one of our national affiliate organizations, the writer, Ardee Coolidge, challenges the pro-life community to put action to their convictions and words. He makes a strong point that it is not enough to just “be” pro-life–in our thoughts and in what we say–but we also need to “do” pro-life. Now, that may not be a grammatically correct statement, but it is a true and powerful statement and challenge for each of us to consider.
What are you doing to make a difference? What am I doing to make a difference? I want to make a difference. I want lives to be saved and for abortion to end. I am sure we all do. But what are we doing about it? Ardee explains his thoughts in an excerpt from the article below:
“As a long-time member of the pro-life movement, I can’t help but see some similarities between what I had to learn and what I believe this important movement is beginning to realize: an effective pro-life movement is more than mere words, but action. And not just any action, but actions that are aligned with the problem of abortion and are the most likely to transform lives.
Let me explain.
For more than forty years, pro-life people have argued that the unborn child is just that, a child. We have marched in rallies, we have carried signs, some have protested outside abortion clinics, and more candidates than can be counted have been elected or rejected based on their position on the sanctity of human life. We have designed a robust apologetic for the value of human life and marshalled great philosophical and historical arguments against the abortion industry. We have used undercover footage to expose the inherent dehumanization of a system that literally rips human beings apart for profit. We have filled baby bottles with change, put bumper stickers on our cars, and learned witty slogans.
Yet, over 900,000 abortions will still happen this year.
Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land.
And even a Republican Congress cannot muster the political willpower to prevent taxpayer funding from supporting the work of the nation’s largest abortion provider.
Our words have not been enough. Now, to be clear, we in the pro-life movement have done more than speak; we have acted. But the actions we have taken, as God-honoring and good as they have been, have not significantly reduced the number of abortions that take place each year.
We must spend as much time serving men and women in our communities—empowering them to choose life and find abundant life in Christ – as we spend working to get pro-life judges on the Supreme Court. We must spend as much time as life disciples as we spend advocating for pro-life laws. Advocating for laws that respect the sanctity of unborn life is right and just. However, such advocacy, like my frequent high school talks on healthy eating, will have little effect if my life does not reflect what I preach. (For evidence of this inconsistency, see Care Net’s research on abortion and the church, which showed that 4 in 10 women who have abortions attend church regularly at the time of their abortions).
That’s why Care Net’s pro abundant life movement is based on embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We recognize that God Himself did not merely tell people what was right and wrong and then condemn them when they failed. He said he loved them and then proved His love by taking on flesh and living what he preached. Likewise, abortion in America will remain unchanged if those of us who are pro-life do not put in the time and effort to let that belief transform us from being merely advocates of life to proactive life disciples, ministering to women and men in need of support.
As a Christian, I believe that such transformation is found in Christ. But, I also believe that I have to be willing to be transformed into His image. This means I should be honest with myself about how many times I have substituted knowing the truth for living the truth. I must come to terms with the fact that, “faith without works is dead.”
This is not an either or. We as a movement don’t get to choose between a pro-life apologetic or serving communities. The two must go together. The apologetic should compel us to action and the action should be grounded in the apologetic. But if we as a movement convince ourselves that the bumper sticker, the rally, or the candidate will solve this issue, we will keep seeing women and men choosing abortion.” (https://www.care-net.org/abundant-life-blog/when-pro-life-words-become-flesh)
So the question that naturally follows is, “well, what can I do about it then?” The good news is that there is an answer for that! One of the best ways to put our words into action in pro-life movement–to put our “hands to the plow”–is by serving in a pregnancy center like A Woman’s Choice! Here at our center, there are many different ways and opportunities for you to serve, get involved and to make a difference.
This website is designed to help you find ways to connect with us! So be sure to check out the information that can help you “do” pro-life better!
To learn ways that you can VOLUNTEER, click HERE.
To learn how you can PRAY for our ministry, click HERE.
To learn how you can GIVE to support our ministry, click HERE.
We look forward to hearing from you, and to “doing” pro-life together! God bless you!