(Tim) Two months ago I put up a post calling churches to show up where babies are being killed in their community or city, speaking up for the little ones being slaughtered there. In that post I promised I would get information to anyone wanting to know how to undertake such a ministry. When several inquired, I dropped the ball. I'm sorry.
This morning, Lucas Weeks (one of those involved in this ministry here at Church of the Good Shepherd) posted the following comment under that previous post. I'm reposting it here assuming some who won't check under the old post will see it here and will take encouragement from Lucas' instructions to begin this witness. Remember that when the Twelve tried to shoo the wee ones away from Jesus, assuming his ministry to adults was too important to mess with kids, He rebuked them: “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)...
- Lucas Weeks writes: I am greatly encouraged to hear that you want to begin actively opposing abortion in your community. Here are a few pointers to help you get started:
- FInd out where abortions are performed in your community, and then find out if there are any ministries in your area that provide abortion alternatives. Both should be listed in the phone book.
- Find out when abortions take place at these facilities and if there are any churches or ministries in your area that currently protest. You might try calling the clinic itself to gather this information, but they will probably be reticent to talk with you when they find out what you are about. Another place to start would be the ministries that provide abortion alternatives. This would serve the double purpose of educating you about where to point the women who do want help.
- When you actually go down to the abortion clinic, make sure you know exactly what could get you arrested. While I'm not necessarily opposed to getting arrested while protesting abortion, I am a strong advocate of knowing the pertinent laws. In our case, we show all the new protesters exactly where planned parenthood's property line is, and then explain that crossing the line could get them arrested.
- Just go. Take at least one other person, and go down to the clinic. Even if you don't have a sign, you can go down and pray and try to counsel people. If you want to carry a sign, and I do recommend it, make one! "Stop abortion now" and "planned parenthood kills babies" are a couple ideas, and I'm sure you can think of more. You can purchase signs, but I can't seem to find much variety. The website "www.abortionno.com" sells the extremely graphic signs that you may have seen before (be careful visiting that site - it is not for kids, and it is not at all pleasant!).
- Don't go alone. There is strength in numbers, and having someone else there will provide a witness should anything out of the ordinary happen.
- Don't be discouraged or frightened by angry responses. These will necessarily come, and their effect will wan as time goes by.
- God bless!
Anyone wanting more information can leave a comment here and we'll try to respond in a timely way this time. Again, thanks for your patience.
