There Is a Hunger for Truth

Pastors Who Preach on Abortion May Be Surprised at the Congregation's Reaction

By Ernest Ohlhoff
NRLC Director of Outreach

Over the past 24 years, I have traveled extensively for the pro- life movement. In that span I have attended a great many church services.

I can truthfully say, whether in my capacity as a pro-lifer or as an ordinary layman, I have never witnessed spontaneous applause to a sermon on any issue but one: abortion.

The irony is that these standing ovations often have come as a complete surprise to the minister, who was on pins and needles. He had just learned a large truth: a well-prepared, thoughtful pro-life sermon often will garner an overwhelmingly positive response from the congregation.

Without mentioning any specific instance, allow me to construct an example:

Our hypothetical pastor is pro-life but he does not want to offend the many members of his congregation who may have had abortions. Over the years the pastor carefully couched his pro-life message in an effort not to be perceived as judgmental or insensitive.
But the stark horrors of partial-birth abortion was the straw that broke the camels back. Having made the commitment to preach, he agonized over the sermon. In the end, he focused on the horror and immorality of abortion, therefore avoiding making his remarks a personal attack on those who have had abortions.
He delivered the sermon with passion because he felt so strongly that partial-birth abortion was an absolute atrocity. He finished the sermon and was preparing to continue with the rest of the service when, to his amazement, the congregation erupted in spontaneous applause.

The example I presented was hypothetical, and while I used partial-birth abortion as the motivation for the sermon, Ihave seen this reaction from congregations long before partial-birth abortion was ever an issue. Over the years, our office has received numerous reports of similar spontaneous, affirming reactions by congregations from a variety of denominations across America.
One pastor shared the following experience:

I had preached on abortion as part of a total sermon. Afterwards, a very able, well-established businessman came up to me, looked me in the eye, and said, "Reverend, I now fully agree with you on your position. When you first came, I did not agree. Your preaching on this has changed my mind."

In another kind of example, a woman told of what happened when she gave a post-abortion testimony in church:

Last January, I gave my testimony about my post-abortion healing on Sanctity of Life Sunday. For three weeks thereafter, I received mail daily from friends and fellow parishioners expressing en-couragement and empathy. One example: "Thank you for your courage in speaking up. I couldn't do it, but your speaking helped me."
Since my sharing, people who had been involved with abortion want to talk to me. They hug me, thank me. In counseling, a man said: "For 40 years I have never spoken about this. But I encouraged a woman to have an abortion. This is my confession."
This testimony lifted darkness, drew people to the light.

I believe that people instinctively know abortion is wrong. Expecting strong moral leadership from their clergy, when that message is not forthcoming the congregation's hunger for the truth continues to increase. Finally the day comes when the pastor squarely takes on the abortion issue and all those pent-up feelings are released in a rush of appreciation.

To be sure, there will always be those who do not applaud. They will either disagree or believe abortion should not be a " religious issue." Some will criticize the pastor both publicly and privately. But the overwhelming majority of church attendees will appreciate the pastor's truthfulness and boldness.

While not every strong pro-life sermon will receive a standing ovation, congregations collectively, and attendees individually, will definitely find ways to express their support for their pro-life pastor. As one pastor described it, ''When preaching is true to the gospel, it will be positively received, with a ringing though subtle confirmation."

Our office recently heard about a young pastor who made abortion a cornerstone issue of his ministry. He started out with a very small congregation. In the face of criticism from some, he maintained his focus on the pro-life issue. To the surprise of many, his ministry has steadily grown until it is one of the largest churches in his community.

There is a hunger for truth. In a world filled with media hype, twisted political rhetoric, and biased news stories many people are turning back to their church, which they perceive as the guardian of truth through the ages.