Starting to Plan Part 6
If you are a new Life Advocate or if you have not watched the DVD on Practical Applications, I urge you do so. You can find this DVD under “Media Downloads.” This can be an outline for you as you plan to do more within your congregation to connect the Word of Life to the life issues.
As you enter into this planning process, please remember it is planning. No one expects you to DO everything at once! But you can start planning to do them this year, next year, in two years. Look ahead. Work with other educators, teachers, DCE’s, etc. and see how you might coordinate some of your ideas into the congregation’s educational ministry.
A Plan to Care
Dr. Adams writes, “As important as it is, the teaching ministry is insufficient to make our churches true pro-life ministries. Pro-life ministries not only help people understand pro-life ideas, they help them do pro-life things. At the heart of a real pro-life congregational ministry must be a plan to translate commitment into action.”
And remember what James the brother of Jesus wrote. “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)
Jesus takes caring a step further. He tells us in Matthew 25 that when we care for the “least of these” we are caring for and serving Him. Jesus calls us to put our love into action especially for the weak and vulnerable. The life issues give congregations opportunity to DO just that!
We will divide these opportunities into three areas:
1. Caring for families and individuals dealing with a crisis pregnancy.
2. Caring for those struggling with any number of end-of-life issues.
3. Caring for those women and men burdened with grief and guilt after an abortion decision.
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How You Can “Speak” |
A good resource for all three of the above is LFL’s little booklet, “How You Can “Speak.” The section, “Speaking by Doing” will be especially helpful. You can find this on the RFL website under the “Life Advocate Training.”
A Plan to Care for those in Crisis Pregnancies
Caring Pregnancy Centers
Thousands of caring pregnancy centers exists across the country. They bring the love of Christ to thousands of young women, men, and families every day. They save many babies’ lives. There is little need for congregations to try to duplicate what goes on in these centers. But a concerted effort does need to be made to partner with them. There are three aspects to focus upon to establish this partnership.
- Awareness
Congregational members need to be made aware of centers in their area. The best source for this would be the Yellow Pages. Most CPC’s are listed under “Abortion Alternatives.” A comprehensive website to locate a CPC is www.heartbeatinternational.org. Or you can call us here at the Life Center 888-364-5433.
Once you determine the closest CPC, it needs to be publicized. Have the phone number in the bulletin every week. Have it in the church newsletter every month. Post it on the church website. Have it mentioned occasionally in announcements. If the center has a brochure outlining its services, make these readily available. They can be in a tract rack or wherever your congregation displays such materials, but the best place would be in the women’s restroom. Invite people to “take one for a friend.” That allows them the safety to take one for themselves.
Ask the director of the center to speak after a worship service and/or Bible study. They are usually very willing to do this, and, based on the many I’ve met, very capable. The director could be asked to talk about the center as a topic for various small groups within the congregation and do not neglect youth groups in this.
- Support
Financial CPCs provide a tremendous service to the communities and churches. Most are supported solely by donations. Include your CPC in the church’s budget as a mission project. Have door offerings. This works especially well after the director gives a presentation. Most CPCs have an annual fund raising banquet. Organize members to attend this event.
Supplies CPCs also need baby supplies—diapers, bottles, blankets, cribs, clothing, etc. Sometimes moms need clothes or rides to doctor’s appointments or school. Check with your CPC to find out particular needs. Organize diaper or clothing drives. Some congregations put a crib in the narthex and have people fill it with diapers, etc. People respond well to these kinds of things.
Volunteer You may have members who would be interested in training to be an advocate at a CPC and speak with those who are seeking guidance. Some CPCs need people to rock babies while mom goes to a class. I was at one CPC where they had what they called the “Rocking Grandmas”! Mostly retired ladies would come in to help with this “tough” assignment. Maybe men’s or youth groups could help with maintenance issues or yard care. Again, check with the CPC to find out how volunteers could be involved.
Materials LFL has a number of materials useful at a CPC. God’s Word For Life Bible with commentaries is a great resource for counselors and we offer one free per CPC! We also have a number of brochures to help connect God’s Word to the life issues addressed at a CPC.
- Affirmation
As you are doing items 1 and 2 above, you will be affirming the CPC as a legitimate place to turn to for compassionate Christian assistance. These are places we can support and partner with as we strive to not just talk about being For Life, but also to DO something about it.
In the next Paraclete we will discuss how we can care for those dealing with end of life issues.