Abortion and the Church

I am privileged to share my thoughts and ideas in a variety of venues as a writer. One of the things I have resolved to do through the years is to write about those things that will encourage and challenge and to avoid those topics that simply spark debate for the sake of debating. Hence, it is very unlikely that you will ever see me write about politics and the like.

However…..there are some times when I must write or I will simply burst! This is one of those times. There are a handful of topics for which I am immensely passionate. This is one. In fact, the more I think about it – the more passionate I become – abortion and the church.

Like most of the Christians who will read this article here on Crosswalk, I am a Pro-lifer on the issue of abortion. I have been all my life (even during my most vulnerable time of being pregnant for the fourth time as an unwed teenager and seriously debating abortion out of desperation). Pick up any Christian magazine or view a Christian website and its agenda almost certainly supports anti-abortion laws and encourages women to save their unborn children. (Again, a stance in which I support).

Having said that, do you realize that MOST women abort because they simply do not feel they can effectively parent the child? Whether it be finances, young ages, emotional stability, or parenting skills, these women feel overwhelmed and scared. So here’s my question:

What is it that you, the church, are doing about it?

Although there are some incredible pregnancy crisis clinics out there and awesome initiatives to save unborn children, the work is not done!

67% of all single parents do not actively attend church. Many site fear of judgment as a primary reason. (The Church and the Single Mom, Carepoint Publishing 2011).

Once we save the child via a pregnancy crisis center or caring conversation with a friend, what is the next step? Where do you send her? How do you support her? What about when the child is now five and the mother is overwhelmed and exhausted?

I consider it an honor to share some of the issues that plague the single parent family, as I know the Lord has birthed this passion inside me to see single mothers walking in freedom that only Christ offers. It excites me when Christians get it, and truly understand the importance of reaching out to the single parents in their communities – to actually BE the church rather than just going to one.

This is the reason we developed The Life of a Single Mom Ministries. TLSM is committed to equipping every church across the country on how to best meet the needs of single parents in their communities (and to raise awareness that those single parents exist) and to see that no single mom walks alone. For more information, visit http://www.thelifeofasinglemom.com

Jennifer Maggio is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on single parent issues. She is a sought-after speaker and author who founded The Life of a Single Mom Ministries and Overwhelmed: The Single Moms Magazine. She has been featured on more than 100 radio and television programs. For more information, visit http://www.jennifermaggio.com