Welcome to our two-part series, The Church and Abortion. In part one, we begin by examining the indispensable role of pastors in leading their congregations on the issue of abortion.  

The Church Is Paralyzed   

Yes, the Church, capital “C” (meaning the entire body of Christ), should be working to solve the issue of abortion. The Bible is very clear that every person—in the womb or out of the womb—bears the image of God and has inherent worth, value, and dignity (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 9:6; Psalm 139:13–16). 

The Church is called to boldly lead the fight for life by protecting the preborn and their mothers and courageously speaking for those who can’t defend themselves. Yet the Church is largely paralyzed when it comes to abortion, and, as a result, has become ineffective in dealing with the issue.  

In a 2024 study, Pew Research found that about three-quarters of White evangelical Protestants (73%) think that abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. By contrast, 86% of religiously unaffiliated Americans say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, as do 71% of Black Protestants, 64% of White nonevangelical Protestants, and 59% of Catholics. 

As Pastor David Platt has said, the Church “on the whole is shamefully silent and appallingly passive.” 

That’s why organizations like Human Coalition are critical to the Church’s success in leading the way to make abortion unthinkable and unnecessary. Christian pro-life organizations, and those who support them, are filling a crucial gap left open by churches that have not taken up the call to “rescue those being led away to death” through abortion. 

Unfortunately, the Church has little influence as a voice or as an advocate for moms and the babies in their wombs. It does not prioritize ending abortion, the leading cause of death in America. 

• One study shows that only 7% of women who had abortions spoke directly with someone in their church about their decision. This raises the question of how many kept their abortion a secret from their church community, bottling up the emotions of guilt and shame or simply believing that they wouldn’t find any help within their church communities. 
• The same study found that three in four women (76%) say that their local church had no influence on their decision. 

There are many reasons why the Church is ineffective. For instance, in my experience, most pastors will not address abortion during Sanctity of Human Life month, the most opportune time to teach and preach about the issue. Some have told me that they don’t want to add more “fuel to the fire,” just in case it offends others in the church. 

Because of their silence, churches are leaving women in the pews struggling to know what to do when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. When it comes to abortion, pastors have often abandoned their congregations, leaving the world to shape the narrative. Youth pastors in particular must be aware of their influence in shaping how young people view their own dignity as they enter the world of dating, and these pastors should teach on the sanctity of life in the womb.  

But often, the women who need the Church’s leadership the most are at church! According to Lifeway Research, seven in 10 women who have had an abortion identify as a Christian. And, according to Care Net, more than four in 10 women who have had an abortion were active churchgoers when they got an abortion.  

Personally, this was my own experience: I grew up in the church, became pregnant as a teenager, had an abortion, and felt like the church was the last place I could turn to for help. 

Imagine how many children may be alive today if their churches had answered the call to speak out on abortion and walk with women and families in their time of need.  

Why Don’t More Churches Talk About Abortion? 

Some pastors mistakenly believe that abortion is not an issue in their congregations. They don’t recognize the need to address abortion because they don’t think their congregants ever face abortion decisions.  

Many church leaders mistakenly view abortion as a political issue, not a moral and spiritual one. According to Mark Campbell, founder of The Vox Project, pastors often say: 

“My congregation will think I’m being political, not biblical.” 
 

“I do not want to be pegged as a crazy right-wing conservative.” 
 

“I’m already overwhelmed, and I know if I preach on the issue of abortion, it will open the floodgates of hurt and bondage, and I won’t be able to handle the fallout of the sermon.” 
 

“I am afraid I will alienate and drive away women who have had abortions.” 

In some cases, pastors themselves have been affected by abortion in their own lives and they haven’t spoken about it. Staying silent keeps pastors from the healing they desperately need and from extending the hope and healing their congregation hungers for. 

Avoiding the issue signals to the Church that abortion is too shameful or not important enough to discuss. Abortion is not an unforgiveable sin. In reality, not talking about abortion is a disservice to all those affected by the shockwaves of abortion, beginning with the child victim and spreading to the mother, father, siblings, family, friends, and fellow churchgoers. This can lead to alienating those struggling with the decision and preventing restoration from happening after an abortion. 

Human Coalition President Jeff Bradford chose abortion with his wife, Tricia, prior to their marriage. In their book, Beauty from Ashes, Jeff shared, “I often think back to that day we decided to call Planned Parenthood and wonder how my life would be different if someone slowed me down and said: ‘This is your child, and it’s okay. You can have this child, and your family will still love you.’” Sometimes, it is the pastor who is called to speak those words. 

How Does Human Coalition Help the Church Fight Abortion in the U.S.? 

Churches cover a wide spectrum of needs for their congregations and communities. Human Coalition and other Christian organizations can serve churches by offering specialized expertise on abortion and how to care for moms. 

Human Coalition brings awareness to congregations and communities that abortion is a devastating option that deeply wounds women and their families while ending the life of the child in the womb who is created in the image of God for a purpose.  

Human Coalition equips church leaders with the resources, information, and encouragement to speak about life and serve women seeking abortions. Human Coalition also helps churches make a tangible impact in their communities, serving these moms throughout their pregnancy and beyond. Being able to connect them with a church community for long-term care and discipleship is a great advantage. 

As subject-matter experts, Human Coalition provides innovative resources and solutions to make abortion unthinkable and unnecessary while actively supporting women in ways the local church may not be equipped or trained to handle. 

Pastors: Your congregation needs your voice on abortion and Human Coalition is readily available to help you speak up and speak clearly to end abortion in America and celebrate the sanctity of every human life. Connect with us here.