The Influence of Men
Written by: Bob Hershey, Executive Director for The Cleveland Pregnancy Center
In the church we need to do a better job of raising our boys. I received a call from a 28-year-old woman that had come to the pregnancy center to search for answers. She saw the ultrasound and even took home pictures of the baby. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do when she walked out the door. We texted our prayer team to pray for her decision. When she called I could tell she was distraught. She asked if she could have new picture from her ultrasound. Her boyfriend had torn up the other ones and thrown them away. She wept some more. She had not responded to our previous texts since her appointment, so I had to ask her what she decided. They decided to abort. My heart sank for her. She was also seeking emotional help if we could serve her that way. I referred her to our post-abortive workshop leader. I asked her if she had a church. She said, “yes, but it’s been a while. I should probably start going again, huh?” I told her it would be good because that is where true healing can happen. I prayed with her that Satan’s words would not bring shame and guilt on her because Jesus can heal those wounds.
Statistics from surveys done by Care-net, pregnancy resources for centers, tells us the one in four women at the time of their abortion had been attending church at least once per month. Seventy percent of women felt they didn’t have a safe place to talk about their circumstance. “I can’t go to my pastor or even my small group. How embarrassing.” Women say that 38% of the time the most influential person on their decision is the father of the baby. Men also state that same statistic about themselves that they were the most influential. Forty seven percent of men at the time of abortion were attending church also.
We have become a selfish, throw-away society. If it hinders, get rid of it without even knowing what “it” is. We’ve lost the sense of sanctity of life from womb to tomb. We need to allow for space within the church to have a safe space to talk about these things and be a resource to those in need. Sadly, men say that they’ve heard the message of forgiveness from the pulpit, but it doesn’t apply to abortion.
Healing is available. Confidence in conversation can be obtained. We, the church, are the answer. This is where discipleship happens. Let’s help young men to make wise, informed, godly decisions.
