Them Before Us Podcast Summary: Episode #064 | Andrew Wood | Empowering Churches to Boldly Engage on Abortion
Release Date: November 24, 2024
Introduction
In episode #064 of the Them Before Us Podcast, hosts Jen Friesen and Katy engage in a profound conversation with Andrew Wood, the Senior Executive Director for Church Engagement at Care Net. The discussion delves deep into the intersection of faith, community, and the pro-life movement, emphasizing the pivotal role churches can play in addressing abortion and supporting families.
Andrew Wood's Journey and Introduction to Care Net
Background in Pro-Life Advocacy
Andrew Wood opens up about his lifelong commitment to the pro-life cause. From his early days filling baby bottles at pregnancy centers to authoring his first college paper on abortion, his passion has been unwavering.
- Quote [01:35]:
“I’ve been pro Life forever. That’s all I’ve ever known. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to kind of talk through and be about.”
Transitioning from Politics to Direct Advocacy
Wood transitioned from a political career in Nashville and Knoxville to direct advocacy after witnessing the limitations of political involvement alone in making tangible differences.
- Quote [02:50]:
“One day our kids will ask us, what were you doing while 3,000 babies were being aborted a day? And our answer is we vote and put a sticker on our car, and that’s not good enough.”
Stepping into Leadership at Care Net
Motivated by a desire to create lasting change, Wood took on the role at Care Net to bridge the gap between churches and pregnancy centers, ensuring comprehensive support for those facing pregnancy decisions.
The Church’s Posture Toward the Pro-Life Movement
Varied Engagement Levels Across Churches
Wood observes a spectrum in how churches engage with the pro-life movement, influenced significantly by their geographical location.
- Quote [05:22]:
“You have some that are all love, all compassion, all mercy, and very little truth. And then you have some that are all truth and very little love, compassion, and mercy.”
Impact of Regional Legislation
The overturning of Roe v. Wade has had diverse effects on churches, with some areas like Tennessee seeing immediate legislative changes that galvanize pro-life efforts, while others experience increased challenges due to cross-border abortions.
- Quote [05:45]:
“In Tennessee, you have bordering states that folks are driving to. People are leaving Texas to go get abortions in different areas.”
Balancing Truth and Compassion
Wood emphasizes the need for churches to embody both truth and compassion, mirroring Jesus’ approach of addressing sin while offering grace.
- Quote [06:20]:
“The way to walk through the issue of life and abortion is to simply stick to the text and what the text tells us, that we speak truth in what it is.”
Abortion: Beyond the Political Sphere
Distinguishing Discipleship from Politics
Addressing abortion within the church transcends political affiliations, rooting the discourse in biblical teachings and discipleship.
- Quote [09:46]:
“Discipleship is not, when we look at the Great Commission, it is go and make disciples... It is life at its beginning, intrinsic value is a gift from the Lord.”
Cultural vs. Political Transformation
Wood argues that culture is shaped by the church, not the other way around, suggesting that churches are the primary agents of cultural change that subsequently influence political landscapes.
- Quote [10:15]:
“Politics is downstream from culture. Culture is downstream from the church. And so the church is the driving force.”
Navigating Partisanship with Biblical Truth
Acknowledging that biblical teachings can be polarizing, Wood encourages churches to preach the word of God impartially, which may challenge both left- and right-leaning ideologies.
- Quote [10:45]:
“The word of God is not partisan. The word of God is the word of God. And so it gives us a chance to point people to truth.”
The Unborn: Unique Advocacy Needs
Inability to Self-Advocate
Unlike other vulnerable populations, unborn children cannot advocate for themselves, placing the onus on Christians to serve as their voice.
- Quote [13:01]:
“The unborn child cannot speak, but they can be seen.”
Moral Imperative of Protecting the Vulnerable
Drawing parallels to historical injustices, Wood underscores that advocating for the unborn is a continuation of the Christian duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
- Quote [14:34]:
“James 1:27 is not command language, it's reality language. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you will do this.”
Cultural Recognition of Fetal Protection
Wood points out societal inconsistencies where actions taken to protect unborn children are recognized, yet abortion remains a contentious issue due to its moral implications.
- Quote [15:20]:
“We naturally recognize that if I do something right now, I’m going to harm this baby. But for some reason, if someone steps up and says, hey, but is abortion okay? It’s like, well, yeah, that’s fine.”
Empowering Churches: Practical Engagement Strategies
Making Life Disciples Curriculum
Wood introduces Making Life Disciples, a comprehensive Bible study curriculum designed to equip churches with the knowledge and tools to support individuals facing pregnancy decisions.
- Quote [23:54]:
“Making Life Disciples will help equip them to do that.”
Abortion Recovery and Care Programs
Care Net offers specialized Bible studies, such as Forgiveness Set Free for women and Reclaiming Fatherhood for men, addressing the emotional and spiritual aftermath of abortion.
- Quote [24:10]:
“We believe that only healing comes through the gospel.”
Abundant Life Prayer Network
For those inclined towards prayer support, the Abundant Life Prayer Network provides a platform to pray actively for the work Care Net is undertaking.
- Quote [25:00]:
“You can join our prayer network and pray with us in the work that we’re doing.”
Preparedness and Readiness
Drawing an analogy to first responders, Wood stresses the importance of churches being always prepared to support those in need, emphasizing proactive engagement over reactive measures.
- Quote [24:30]:
“Are you willing and at the ready to step in? And Making Life Disciples will help equip them to do that.”
Real-Life Impact and Testimonies
Transformative Church Support
Wood shares heartwarming stories that illustrate the profound impact churches can have when they genuinely support individuals facing unplanned pregnancies. From practical assistance like childcare and transportation to emotional and spiritual backing, these acts embody the essence of Christian love and community.
- Quote [22:15]:
“That is the church being the church, it’s hard, it’s messy, it’s not convenient. But again, that’s what we’ve been called to do.”
Creating a Supportive Family Environment
Emphasizing the church as a familial unit, Wood highlights how consistent support can alter the trajectories of young families, providing stability and hope where it was previously lacking.
- Quote [23:10]:
“When you start going, 'Oh, who’s watching my kids? The folks at the church, who’s providing these meals? The folks at the church.'”
Conclusion and Call to Action
Andrew Wood reiterates the critical role churches play in the pro-life movement, urging congregations to actively engage, support, and transform lives through dedicated discipleship and compassionate action. He invites listeners to explore Care Net's resources and become proactive participants in safeguarding life and fostering resilient families.
- Final Quote [26:20]:
“Getting prepared, being prepared and ready for when God brings those folks into our church. That’s going to be such a different posture than being a little bit on the back foot when someone shows up.”
Resources Mentioned:
- MakingLifeDisciples.com
- Abundant Life Prayer Network
Thank you for tuning into this insightful episode of Them Before Us. For more information and to get involved, visit makinglifedisciples.com. Join the movement to protect and empower children and families worldwide.