Starting a Pro-Life Committee in Your Church
By Ernest L. Ohlhoff

Every church in America, regardless of denomination, should have its own active pro-life committee. Starting church-based pro-life committees is usually a simple and direct process, if you follow the following guidelines:

* Overcome the Inertia - - MAKE IT HAPPEN - Start at Square #1. Determination and polite persistence can make all the difference between success and failure. Above all else, develop a strategy to build a committee in your church and stick with it.

* Identify Other Pro-Lifers in Your Church - - Try to find one or more pro-life church members to work with you. This will be a great help in building a functioning church-based pro-life committee.

* Obtain Support from Your Pastor - - Plan a meeting with your Pastor and consider the following key points in advance:

* How does your Pastor respond to new activities in the church?

* What is your Pastor's present position on abortion?

* Anticipate concerns he may have and have answers ready.

* Have a Meeting with Your Pastor - - Present your proposed pro-life activities in a way that your Pastor is most likely to endorse. These should including the following:

* Prepare pro-life sermon.

* Support formation of church pro-life committee.

* Develop reconciliation program for women who have had abortions.

* Support Your Pastor When He Is Criticized for Giving a Pro-Life Sermon - - Have pro-life church members profusely thank your pastor after he has given a pro-life sermon and encourage him to continue his pro-life activities.

* Form a Church Pro-Life Committee - - Identify two to four pro-life people to form the leadership of the committee. Plan on regular meetings and fix a date (such as the first Tuesday of each month). At your first meeting plan a calendar of events and activities for the upcoming year. Be sure to include educational activities and petition drives on partial-birth abortion (petition forms are available from NRLC).

* Conduct a Variety of Pro-Life Projects - - Conduct several pro-life projects, including baby showers for abortion alternatives groups in your area. In addition appoint someone on the committee to establish a liaison with your local National Right to Life affiliated chapter. One key project your church group should consider in 2005 is to help build support for the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.

Church-based pro-life committees are an excellent way to expand the pro-life base in your community. DO NOT assume that pro-life committees cannot be formed in denominations which are not pro-life. Many pastors within these seemingly pro-abortion denominations are very pro-life. With a little encouragement they can become very active pro-life leaders.

Find square #1, pray, and begin. Be patient, expect success, and be politely persistent. Above all, never stop trying. The Bible is filled with stories about how patience and persistence eventually are rewarded.

For further information contact the Outreach Department at NRLC by e-mail at outreach@nrlc.org or phone at (202) 626-8811.