As recent events have revealed, we are a divided nation, in need of internal healing and reconciliation. And this is particularly evident on the issue of abortion. Contributing to the deepening divide is our increasing tendency to surround ourselves with people who think like we do, and to close our ears to those who differ. So, we prayerfully offer the following explanation of why we hold to the sanctity of life in hopes that you, the reader, will understand our position on this most sensitive issue. We recognize that not all share our regard for the Bible. But because we believe that it is the infallible Word of God, we also believe that we are obligated to receive and cheerfully obey every word of it.
Without exception, the God revealed in the Bible sides with, and acts to protect the weak and powerless (Dt. 10:18) and sets Himself against those who would harm or take advantage of the widow, the orphan or the alien (Ex. 22:22; Dt. 27:19.) He is the Father of the fatherless (Ps. 68:5) and those who love Him are called to imitate Him (Jas. 1:27).
Throughout Scripture, unborn babies are regarded as immature human beings, and therefore true bearers of God’s image and objects of His loving care (Gen. 1:27). The Bible uses the same words to refer to babies inside and outside of the womb. From the twin boys struggling in Rebekah’s womb to the pre-born John the Baptist who leaped for joy at the approach of his pre-born Savior (Jesus), God clearly regards the unborn as His handiwork (Ps. 139:13-16; Is. 44:2). Babies in the womb are persons with legal standing (Ex. 21:22-25), continuity of personhood (Judg. 13:2-5; Ps. 51:5), and the cognitive capabilities requisite for true worship (Lk. 1:41-44). Jesus himself demonstrated great love and concern for small children (Mt. 19:13) and pronounced dire consequences for those who would mistreat them (Lk. 17:2). We believe that to love children is to imitate God.
Until very recently, the Christian church strongly and uniformly opposed abortion. The Didache, a first century summary of Christian ethics, explicitly prohibited abortion and infanticide. And the early Church was known throughout the Roman Empire for its rescue and adoption of unwanted infants abandoned and left to die of exposure.
We believe that life begins at conception, and lacks only time, protection and nutrition to fully mature. But even if we believed that it’s impossible to know exactly when the fertilized egg becomes fully human, we would still oppose abortion for the same reason that we wouldn’t run over a large raincoat on the street if we didn’t know for certain whether or not a person were inside that coat.
So, even if you disagree with us, we hope that you can at least see some connection between what we believe about the personhood of the unborn and our convictions regarding abortion. We believe that abortion is an assault on God’s person via the destruction those who bear His image. And we believe that abortion wreaks spiritual and emotional devastation on the mothers who have abortions, and those who encourage them to do so. And that is why we are committed to oppose all who promote and provide abortion services. And that is why we are committed to support and fund organizations that seek to serve women/families in pre and post abortion crises.
Please understand that this is a profoundly personal issue for us pastors because we all know women who have been scarred with the painful guilt and debilitating regret of abortion. And many of us have wept, counseled and prayed with hurting women (and their relatives) struggling to find healing, forgiveness and peace. So we oppose abortion for love’s sake: love for God, love for the unborn, love for women, and love for the communities dealing with the tragic consequences of this violent act.
King’s Cross Church: Gene Helsel
Evergreen Baptist Church: John Smith
Grace City Church: Adam James, Carey McPherson, Chris Speten, Kent McMullen and Josh McPherson
Calvary Crossroads Church: Jay Caron
The Living Room Church: John Brossoit and Mike Long
Sage Hills Church: Mike Wilson, Leslie Krober and Michael Henry
Wenatchee First Assembly Church: Jerry Beebe
Covenant Grove Community Church: Andrew Thompson
Saddlerock Presbyterian Church: Dennis Henn
Faith Lutheran Church: Timothy Winterstein
Living Hope Fellowship: Myron Vierra
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries: Jessica Mayo
Lighthouse Ministries: Shawn Arington
Holy Apostles Catholic Church: Rev. Argemiro Orozco and Rev. Seamus Kerr
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church: V. Rev. Osmar Aguirre
Life-Trac Ministries: Greg McPherson
King’s Orchard Church: Bruce Baird
Calvary Bible Church: Stephen Whitney
M.I.T.E. Ministries: Brad Hanson
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