Project Off to a Good Start As People Educate Their Church Leaders
Springfield, IL (Nov. 5, 2010) — More than 130 people have already signed up to be a part of the Elliot Institute’s Church Awareness Project, which launched yesterday.
The Church Awareness Project is a new effort to help mobilize and transform churches to recognize and speak out about the harm caused by abortion and to become places of support for women, men and families who may be at risk of exploitation because of a difficult or crisis pregnancy, or those who have already been hurt by abortion.
A survey of the Elliot Institute’s email list found that about 73 percent of the respondents said that preaching on abortion was rarely or ever done in their place of worship. Most respondents also said that they didn’t think people in their churches were aware that most abortions or unwanted or coerced or knew much about the emotional and spiritual harm often suffered by women, men and families after abortion.
Project coordinator Amy Sobie said that raising awareness of these issues in churches was key to making sure church leaders and others were equipped to help those in their congregations who might be struggling.
“There are many people in our churches who are at risk of abortion, most of which are unwanted or coerced, and some even forced,” she said. “And there are also women, men and their families who have been devastated because of the trauma and pain of abortion and the exploitation and abuse that often surround this experience. We can help churches to become places of support, where healing can begin and where the legitimate rights of both mothers and their unborn children can be defended.”
Another goal of the project is to help pastors and preachers feel more comfortable talking about abortion. While some ministers may be afraid of dividing their congregations or hurting listeners by saying the wrong thing about what is often a deeply personal and painful issue, expressing compassion for those hurt by abortion or who have undergone unwanted and coerced abortions can diffuse such tensions.
Sobie explained that the Church Awareness Project will be part an ongoing effort.
“The first phase of this project is educating church leaders, ministry and outreach leaders and other key people about these issues,” she said. “From there we will be moving into helping those people raise awareness among the congregation in general, and mobilizing the churches to offer support and be advocates in their community for those who are at risk or struggling.
The Church Awareness Project launched on Wednesday with an opportunity for those on the Elliot Institute’s email list and social networks to join the project and get copies of the Church Leader’s Kit for themselves and to share with others. Sobie said that there are a number of ways for people to use these resources.
“First, join the email list and get the kit,” she said. “Read it yourself. Share it with others in your church. Sign our Share the Kit pledge so that we know it’s getting out there. Make a donation to help us continue to develop these kinds of materials and projects.”
One of the most important things to do, she added, “is to encourage other people to join the list and get the kit themselves. The more people who learn about this project, the more churches we can reach and the more people will be helped.”
To join the Church Awareness Project (and get a copy of the Church Leader’s Kit), visit http://www.afterabortion.org/churchawarenessproject/about.htm
