Roe vs Wade: Reflections for the Church
By Dennae Pierre
Brothers and Sisters,
Surge is passionate about equipping churches and disciples to engage in the ministry of reconciliation as we seek to display Jesus and the kingdom of God in every part of our cities. Often when a historic polarizing news item emerges, we try to give reflection and think about what it could look like for us to engage with it missionally.
This letter about the Roe vs Wade decision may seem like it’s “late” in coming. When the news broke, our family was en route to a mini-sabbatical in Europe and I was unable to write a reflection. But as the months unfold and the initial fervor surrounding the headlines fade into the background, I still believe reflection on the historic overturning of Roe vs Wade remains incredibly important.
As with all polarizing issues that surface and impact our nation or city, Surge doesn’t believe we should just look at it from one side or the other. Surge desires to equip the church to engage the mission of God in every aspect of life. This means, even on a politically polarized issue we want to approach this topic through what it means to live into our missional identities as God’s collective people. Meaning, Christians should never just make a point, but engage as people reflecting the heart and character of God. Over the last few months, I have rejoiced that countless unborn lives will be saved. I also recognize that this is not merely a political decision to celebrate, but for millions the weeks of headlines surfaced shame and heartache.
The frames provided by the divergent political sides tend to advocate for the rights of an unborn life or the woman’s choice; however, neither seem to offer a restorative framework for all involved. When considering your context, I wanted to offer a few lenses in which you can examine your posture, tone, and practice as we engage in years ahead of debate re: Roe vs. Wade through a missional lens.
Past Trauma. 1 of every 6 women have been impacted by sexual violence 1. The headlines surrounding this topic intersects sexual abuse and rape into the conversation on abortion in ways that can feel overwhelming to survivors of sexual abuse even if they haven’t had an unplanned pregnancy or abortion. The lack of empathy that permeates the headlines and social media does not enter a compassionate voice into the conversation. Instead of dismissing whether or not women have abortions because of rape, we need to ensure celebration is held with lament that any percentage of unplanned pregnancies are tied to the evil acts of rape and incest.
How can we speak in a tone that is aware of the internal pain likely present for victims of violence listening to the debate?
How do we speak in a tone that demonstrates God’s compassion for victims of sexual violence & publicly embody his healing presence?
Past Abortions & Present Unplanned Pregnancies. 70% of women who have had an abortion self identify as Christians. Only 7% of women who had abortions said they directly spoke with someone in their church about their decision. For 3 in 4 women, local churches had no influence on their decision 2. Churches that desire to be missional will need to be places men and women can confess their deepest shame about things done to them and acts they have committed. Without a restorative and healing community, we will be limited (or even harmful) in any attempts to be missional as a people. This means every word out of our mouth or on our social media has an opportunity to either build up or tear down our capacity to develop as a healing community that sends men and women into our city each week to reflect Christ’s healing, mercy, and love.
Does our church consistently create space to confess sin, wounds, and brokenness? Do our leaders regularly confess?
Is there any way we are communicating about people on this topic that is dehumanizing?
Would our church be the first place a woman would turn to for help with an unplanned pregnancy or for healing around an abortion?
Political Polarization. Just like any macro issue impacting society– abortion, racism, classism, victims and perpetuators of domestic violence -- we never speak about an issue divorced from the reality that it exists in our church pews. It is all alive in the stories and hearts of at least some of our church members. Meaning, as missional leaders, we never have the luxury of talking about an issue simply from the seat of it being an issue, but we must be aware that we reflect the same ugly sins we see on a macro scale in the most micro aspects of our community. Missional people are not just reacting to political polarization, but responding with a shepherd’s heart in ways that show concern for a more just society and restoration for all people connected to this issue. We don’t take a third way for the sake of taking a third way, but actively seek to be peacemakers who live out the ministry of reconciliation even in our political divisions.
In attempts to be persuasive with our witness, are we representing our opponents' perspectives accurately? Would they resonate with how we describe their position?
Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in our response?
As the months and years unfold, this will undoubtedly remain an issue impacting the unborn, men, women, and families. In the bottom of this newsletter, you will see links to 5 organizations I deeply respect and trust. You will get linked to: (1) YoungLives; (2) Pro-Grace; (3) Voice for the Voiceless; (4) Hope Women’s Center; and (5) AZ127. I respect each of these organizations and appreciate not just their actions, but the tone, posture, character, and heart of their leaders. I hope they can be resources that allow you to get more informed, give financially, join a prayer team, or take action.
Would you join me in praying that God’s church in Arizona would be known as a living sacrifice to Christ our King. Pray that we would collectively make known the Christ who stepped into our violent, sin-filled, decaying hearts and world. Pray that we incarnate with our words and deeds the Spirit of Christ who mercifully sacrificed his life to cancel our debt of sin, make us a peace-filled people, give us a new life, and send us to proclaim the Good News.
And what is this Good News? Peace, wholeness, and forgiveness has come into the world to make all things new! What good news this is in light of remembering millions of lives taken by abortion, millions of women suffering from past sexual assaults or rape, countless wrestling with shame over their part in an abortion, and countless living in poverty or a violent home unsure of how to protect themselves from an unplanned pregnancy. I pray that everywhere our neighbors cross paths with Jesus-followers in Arizona, that they will be able to get a glimpse of this kind of Christ. Might that be the vision that shapes our social media, sermon points, conversations, and actions.
With you in prayer,
Dennae
Organizations Mentioned Above:
YoungLives: A ministry of Young Life that intentionally cares for teen moms and their children. Their model is mentor forward where volunteers, rather than sitting and waiting in a pregnancy resource center, instead are equipped to go to the teen moms and meet them where they are at.
ProGrace: A model that equips local churches and nonprofits to engage in conversation and articulate a third option that values the woman and child equally. They provide practical tools, including a small group study and free pastor resources, to develop a nonpolitical response to abortion.
Voice for the Voiceless is a Phoenix-based nonprofit advocating for no one to face unplanned pregnancy alone. For those compelled to engage in both the relational and policy side, the posture of Voice for the Voiceless mobilizes communities of support.
Hope Women's Center: An amazing ministry that provides care, resources and Christ’s love to women particularly in need all over our state. Their holistic approach focuses not just on the physical needs of those vulnerable, but also their emotional and spiritual needs as well.
AZ127 equips local churches to engage in the foster care and adoption scene and are actively involved in caring for birth families and prioritizing family reunification. AZ127 is a strategic partner of Surge because their model disciples church members to engage holistically in child welfare.
Footnotes:
1. https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence
2. https://research.lifeway.com/2021/12/03/7-in-10-women-who-have-had-an-abortion-identify-as-a-christian/