Did you know that 50% of women who have abortions are regular church attendees? For pastors and church leaders, the way this subject is handled can either open the door for life and hope or contribute to silence and fear. If the Church is to be a place of refuge, grace, and truth, it must intentionally create a culture that supports women facing unexpected pregnancies—without judgment and with Christlike compassion.
It has been said that the unborn and their mothers are the most unreached people group today and are an area that is in desperate need of God’s love and support.
We want to help you create a culture of life and love in your church and it is easier than you may think!
Here are some simple steps you can take to do so:
1. Lead With Compassion
You set the tone on this issue. Approach the issue through the lens of care, not condemnation. Let women know they are seen, loved, and valued, regardless of their situation or past. Remind them of God’s love and redemption. When you create a culture of high self-worth rooted in the love of Christ, it is hard for the lies of abortion and the fear surrounding it to exist.
2. Break the Silence
Many pastors avoid talking about the topic of abortion for fear of being “political”, but fail to realise that it actually hurts church growth as more people are leaving the church when it fails to talk about issues pertaining to their everyday lives – including abortion. Additionally, you do not have to go in all at once, you can start by simply talking about motherhood and the beauty of family even if it is the result of an unplanned circumstance. Acknowledge the realities of unplanned pregnancy and abortion in your teaching. Silence can create stigma. Honest, grace-filled conversations open the door for healing and support.
3. Highlight Available Support
Go beyond theology. Make sure your church is offering (or connected to) practical resources—childcare, counseling, financial assistance, mentorship, or connections to local pregnancy centers. We have assembled these via our Luli Health initiative and can also send you free posters to place in your women’s restroom stalls with resources on. You can order these via our website.
4. Train Your Leaders
Equip your ministry leaders, volunteers, and small group facilitators to respond to abortion questions and unplanned pregnancy situations. Provide guidelines and practical resources that they can point women towards. It is essential that your leaders are not just trained in the ideals of faith, hope, and love, but that they have practical understanding and training on how to support women vulnerable to abortion.
5. Share Stories of Hope
When possible, share real-life testimonies of women who’ve faced unplanned pregnancies and found hope, healing, and support in the church. Stories are one of the best ways to break down shame and build trust.
6. Go after the issue at its root: relationships
Abortion begins and ends with relationships. Unless we teach young people in the church how to have healthy, Godly, relationships, their curiosity will drive them elsewhere – often to the wrong places. Ensure to incorporate what the Bible says a healthy marriage and family looks like into your teachings and empower your young adults to succeed in relationships by utilizing our free, healthy relationships course.
Suggested Talking Points
Below are some talking point suggestions for use in sermons, small groups, or pastoral conversations to help foster a culture of compassion and support.
- “If you’re in a difficult season feeling scared, unsure, or overwhelmed, we see you, we love you, and God hasn’t abandoned you.”
- “Our church doesn’t just care about a baby’s life, we care deeply about the mother’s life, her health, and her future.”
- “You are not alone. We want to walk with you, pray for you, and help you find the support you need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”
- “If you’ve experienced abortion in your past, we want you to know: there is no shame here. There is forgiveness, healing, and hope in Jesus.”
- “This is a church that believes in life and love, and that includes your life and your story.”
Final Encouragement
Creating a supportive culture starts with language, tone, and intentional presence. Your presence, your voice, and your willingness to speak up with love can create a life-changing, life-affirming environment for women in crisis and transform generations to come.