Pastoral Care Guidance for Deacons, Stephen Ministers, and the Congregation of River Road Church, Baptist
Abortion, Miscarriage, and Pastoral Care
Theological presuppositions (questions—and how they are answered—shape individual responses):
- Is every impregnation (sperm meets ovum) willed by God?
- Does life begin at conception?
- Is an action to prevent fertilization an interference in God’s will for life?
My Own personal theological assumptions:
- God has given human beings the power to exercise their own will.
- God’s will is not always done on earth.
- Every human being has been given the equipment to participate in creating life (unless physiologically impaired).
- Not every human being has been called to be a parent.
- Not every fertilization is God’s will.
- Life does not begin at fertilization.
- Life does begin prior to viability (mystery).
- The safety and preservation of a mother’s life is a priority.
Practical Care:
- Almost everyone in a church dialogue setting on abortion bases their position on moral issues—and believes in the sanctity of life.
- Every impregnation, miscarriage, abortion, birth, and adoption are identity modifying events.
- Every experience of fertilization introduces the reality of loss.
- Privacy and prayerful evaluation are family issues.
- Reflection and reassessment are cyclical (recurring).
- Dialogue should include both parties.
- Interpretation of sin should include perspective (nothing is unforgivable).
