Being a Pro-Life Pastor in an Election Year

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court in 2022, the conversation surrounding abortion has shifted dramatically. Many of us who had prayed and fought for the reversal of such a heartbreaking decision rejoiced. I still rejoice that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Under Roe, the United States was one of only seven countries in the world with such extreme abortion laws. (When I tweeted about this after speaking at the Chicago March for Life, the response was skeptical at best. Yet, the Washington Post – yes, the Post – fact-checked that reality.)

Thankfully, Roe is gone. But the work to relegate abortion to history’s list of eradicated abuses upon human life continues today.

The womb is now safer for pre-born children in many states – and for that, we can rejoice. And yet, laws in many more states remain extreme, and have even increased in severity. We have much work to do. There are three areas in which advocates of the right to life must be steadfastly committed in 2024 and beyond: persuasion, legislation, and exercising our right to vote.

Our Work of Persuasion Continues 

It is both insufficient and ultimately futile to assume that we can eradicate abortion through the court systems and state legislatures in our current situation. We need to be diligent about persuading the hearts of people to understand how the practice of abortion is an affront to human dignity.

It is important, as pro-life advocates have for years, to speak for pre-born children who are incapable of speaking for themselves. But we also must elevate the conversation about how harmful the practice of abortion is to women, both physically and psychologically.

We must continue to champion the work of thousands of crisis pregnancy centers coming alongside women in times of crisis. These centers help women in the most difficult of circumstances understand the other options and support available to them in lieu of aborting their child. By supporting women, we empathize with their pain, honor their dignity, glorify the Lord, and help them see a better way for themselves and their pre-born children.

Where I live, in California, supporting and championing women is probably the only persuasion with any reasonable chance of making a difference in the foreseeable future. The same is true in many other pro-abortion states. While abortion advocates seek to make the abortion option a matter of women’s rights, life advocates have a duty to make abortion about the well-being of women. 

Our Work in Legislation Continues 

Stories are circulating of the many abortions that have been restricted due to laws in certain states. Abortion advocates intend to leverage these stories to paint our post-Roe society as one emerging into a dystopian norm that is oppressive to women.

But life advocates have an opportunity to advocate for legislation that helps and provides for women while securing the opportunity for the life of an unborn child. It should be common sense, regardless of partisan platforms on particular legislative issues, to advocate for all sorts of quality-of-life-focused legislation, including substantive reform in the foster care system, subsidies for domestic adoptions, parental leave, and more.

Yes, we must work to pass legislation to protect life in the womb. And in addition, we need to help build a society where a frightened single mother has someone to come alongside her on her journey—and we already see the value of thousands of crisis pregnancy centers.

Our Work as Voters Continues 

I recognize that talking about elections in Christian publications makes people nervous, but let me just say this – in the constellation of considerations for your vote, remember the pain with which abortion has afflicted our society and the thousands of pre-born children being denied the right to life every year because of the laws among numerous states in this country.

One hundred years from now, I believe we will look back in horror at how America devalued the pre-born, in the same way we look back in horror at other historical events that violated human rights. I have chosen not to vote for candidates who devalue the pre-born, whether in their political positions or their personal lives – I have not, and I will not. That’s been true for millions of evangelicals, Catholics, and others. 

So, this year is not unlike any other year. It’s an opportunity to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves and to encourage our congregations not to forget the unborn in any year, including this one.

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord warns Judah for the injustice that it tolerated in its midst.

He called them to “cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, pleased the widow’s cause.”

Isaiah 1:17, ESV

Seek Justice and Correct Oppression

The warning to Judah to seek justice and correct oppression remains a warning to us today. Advocating against oppression and violence, especially when directed at the vulnerable and innocent, is not a peripheral issue for Christians. It’s essential to who we are and what we’re called to do.

So, pastor, as we celebrate Sanctity of Human Life month, I want to encourage you not to forget the pre-born. Roe may be overturned, but the cause to uphold the dignity of human life remains active and necessary. Whether in persuasion, legislation, or exercising the right to vote, let’s continue the work that we started. 

One simple way to act is to educate your congregation about the Christian priority of life from the pulpit, in small groups, classes, and more. You might also consider partnering with a local agency that helps women in crisis, such as your local crisis pregnancy center. 

You might also provide or recommend (licensed) counseling and support services for women who are experiencing crisis or who have trauma from having an abortion. You could develop a support network within your church or in partnership with other churches in your community to help expectant mothers and families in need. You can also promote foster care and adoption within your church, seeking to ensure every child in need of a home in your community has a Christian home.

We rejoice that Roe is overturned, but the cause to uphold the dignity of human life remains active and necessary. Whether in persuasion, legislation, or exercising the right to vote, let’s continue the work that we started. 

©2024 Ed Stetzer. Used with permission.