Hello St. John’s Family,
As I’m sure you’re aware, last Friday the US Supreme Court released the official Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling on abortion. Each state now has the power to set laws regarding the legality of abortion. Responses have been sharply divided; some see the ruling as God’s grace for the unborn, while others grieve the ruling as oppressive against the well-being of women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In our fractured society where trust of those who do not share our views is almost non-existent, reflections on highly charged topics like abortion are often viewed first through a political lens. For people of faith, I feel this is a grave mistake. We are called to approach these difficult topics theologically: grounded in our faith in God, and carefully reasoned through scripture, prayer, reflection, discussion, and the guidance of the Church. Thus, times and issues like this require prayer, reflection, pastoral words of guidance, and renewed commitment to Christ’s Lordship over our lives. For all the challenges we face in the UMC, our official position on abortion is solidly grounded in faith, while nuanced and attentive to the complexity of this difficult issue. I want to share some of that position, as well as some pastoral thoughts. For your reference, the full position as recorded in our Book of Discipline is linked. I don’t pretend to have all the answers; I prayerfully hope these thoughts will help center us, such that we more fully reflect Christ’s mercy and grace together.
From the United Methodist Book of Discipline, ¶161K
The beginning of life and the ending of life are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While individuals have always had some degree of control over when they would die, they now have the awesome power to determine when and even whether new individuals will be born. Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion.
But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child.
We recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures by certified medical providers. We support parental, guardian, or other responsible adult notification and consent before abortions can be performed on girls who have not yet reached the age of legal adulthood. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection or eugenics (see Resolution 3184).
We oppose the use of late-term abortion known as dilation and extraction (partial-birth abortion) and call for the end of this practice except when the physical life of the mother is in danger and no other medical procedure is available, or in the case of severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life. This procedure shall be performed only by certified medical providers. Before providing their services, abortion providers should be required to offer women the option of anesthesia.
We call all Christians to a searching and prayerful inquiry into the sorts of conditions that may cause them to consider abortion. We entrust God to provide guidance, wisdom, and discernment to those facing an unintended pregnancy.
Some thoughts: first, throughout scripture, few tenets are more consistently expressed than God’s incredibly high value on life. There isn’t anything in creation that God values more than human life, as we are specifically noted as bearing the image of God. While rigorous debate has occurred regarding the precise beginning point of life, people of faith are called to recognize procreation and the development of life is a gift from God; a gift requiring our utmost respect.
As noted in the official UMC position, in our fractured world there are times in pregnancy when conflicts of life with life occur. Medical professionals need the legal grounding to make incredibly difficult conflict of life decisions. As Christians, we also must recognize the physical, mental, and emotional weight on a woman’s life to support a pregnancy in ideal circumstances. Situations of abuse, rape, incest, and other struggles increase this exponentially. Compassionate counsel, fervent prayer, and tangible physical and financial support are needed to support women in these situations, as is a legal pathway and abundant grace for those women who determine their situation is beyond what one can bear. The call to wholistically preserve the life of a woman in a safe, accessible way conforms to the arc of grace, mercy, and justice directed by Christ himself.
Opposition to abortion by itself does not equate to a truly pro-life ethic. I struggle to reconcile fervent support for developing life in the womb that does not also fervently support the health, well-being, and justice of all people regardless of age, race, economic, or immigration status. As Pastor Rich Villodas of New Life Fellowship in NYC wrote: “To rejoice over this verdict without a corresponding commitment to seeing women, and families – especially the poor – resourced is the height of Christian hypocrisy. As Christians, we are not here to win political points and grow in worldly power. We are here to work for a world that reflects the justice, compassion, and love of the kingdom of Jesus.”
I also struggle to believe there are many who desire an abortion. More often, I sense abortion is viewed as the best “bad choice” available. Thus, compassion, mercy, and care are needed for those who have undergone an abortion. We can never forget all humans are image-bearers of God.
Political discourse regarding freedoms, rights, and advocacy for legislative outcomes that match our moral values and political convictions are part of the fabric of our nation. At the same time, we must recognize that legislation will not produce the elimination of abortions.
I honestly believe the most direct – and God-desired – pathway that will lead to reductions in abortions is the Church embodying the good news of the gospel. That requires caring equally for bodies and souls; extending compassion and mercy to all people; and embracing God’s desire for wholeness to the point that we are fully committed to investing ourselves into those who have opposing thoughts to our own. Only that radical level of commitment to Christ’s kingdom, fully guided by the Holy Spirit, will mend the myriad of fractures in our hurting world. May God strengthen us to commit to that work-
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Grace and peace,
Pastor Brad
