Article adapted from episode content.

Friends of the Case for Life podcast, as you all know, the recent election results have left many of us in the pro-life movement feeling a mix of relief and frustration. Relief, because we narrowly avoided a political landscape that would have been openly hostile to our cause. Frustration, because we know the fight is far from over. We haven’t achieved a decisive victory, merely gained a temporary reprieve – a “stay of execution,” as I’ve called it. This moment demands our attention. It’s time to capitalize on this opportunity to strengthen and advance the pro-life movement.

Refocusing Our Efforts: Resisting Mission Drift

This period of relative calm allows us to take stock of our movement and ensure we’re operating with laser focus. And that means resisting a dangerous trend I’ve observed: mission drift. Too often, pro-life organizations lose sight of their core mission – to protect unborn children from the tragedy of abortion – and spread themselves too thin by trying to tackle every social issue under the sun. We see pregnancy centers taking on discipleship programs, marriage counseling, religious liberty advocacy, fatherhood initiatives – all worthy causes, to be sure, but not the primary focus of a pro-life organization.

Let me be clear: Christians should absolutely care about these issues and work to address them. But pro-life groups, by their very nature, are specialized entities. Just as the American Cancer Society focuses on eradicating cancer, and an ER doctor isn’t expected to solve all the underlying problems of a drug addict, pro-life organizations can best serve the cause by concentrating their expertise and resources on their specific area of concern: saving the lives of unborn children. Diluting our efforts across a wide range of social issues weakens our impact and muddies our message.

This need for focus extends to our messaging as well. I was deeply disappointed by some of the pro-life campaigns I witnessed during the recent state ballot initiatives. Instead of directly confronting the issue of abortion, these campaigns chose to focus on peripheral concerns like parental rights or the “extreme” nature of the bills. This is “background noise” that distracts from the core issue. We need to be bold and unapologetic in our defense of life. The public needs to know exactly what’s at stake: the right of innocent human beings to exist. Let’s not shy away from the heart of the matter.

Breaking Through the Barriers: Reaching New Audiences

We face another significant challenge in reaching a broader audience: the Christian gatekeepers. These are leaders of large Christian organizations who, for various reasons, seem hesitant to engage with the issue of abortion, even when presented with well-crafted, persuasive arguments. They offer excuses like “our audience isn’t ready for this conversation” or “this issue is too divisive” – frankly, I find these rationales condescending and dismissive of their audiences’ intelligence and capacity for thoughtful discussion.

So how do we break through these barriers? We need to be creative. We need to find ways to introduce the pro-life message in contexts where it might not be explicitly expected. That’s why I’m a strong advocate for educational videos that focus on fetal development and maternal health. These videos can serve as “Trojan horses” of sorts, subtly introducing viewers to the humanity of the unborn without immediately triggering resistance. Remember Greg Cunningham’s insightful point: as long as people believe a fetus is just a “blob of cells,” they’ll never be open to the pro-life argument. We need to change that perception by showcasing the beauty and wonder of life in the womb.

But we can’t rely solely on large organizations or slick productions. We need grassroots action. That’s why I’m calling on each of you, my fellow pro-life brothers and sisters, to step up and advocate for this cause within your own spheres of influence. If your pastor has never addressed the issue of abortion, request a meeting. Show him a video of a child developing in the womb and ask him what the church’s response should be. We have resources available at Life Training Institute (LTI) to support pastors in crafting sermons and presentations on this critical issue.

Parents, I urge you to hold your Christian schools accountable. Inquire about their curriculum and how they equip students to address moral issues like abortion. Advocate for training that goes beyond simple doctrinal statements and gives them the tools to engage in persuasive dialogue and defend their pro-life beliefs in the public square.

Empowering the Next Generation: Social Media and Beyond

The younger generation is incredibly adept at using social media to spread awareness and mobilize support for causes they believe in. We need to empower our pro-life youth to become powerful voices for life in the digital space. Encourage them to create and share short videos and posts that articulate the pro-life perspective in a way that resonates with their peers. Imagine the impact of a well-spoken 16-year-old student regularly posting thoughtful videos and arguments defending the pro-life view. This is a generation that can reach audiences we may never be able to connect with directly.

These young people can leverage platforms like the ERF website, which features stunning visuals of fetal development, and utilize social media to spread these images far and wide, countering the harmful misconception of the unborn child as a mere “blob of cells”. We need to visually demonstrate the humanity of the unborn, and our youth are uniquely equipped to carry this message into the digital world.

Integrating Faith and Politics: A Holistic Christian Witness

We cannot, as Christians, compartmentalize our faith and our civic duty. We are citizens of both a heavenly kingdom and an earthly nation, and our beliefs should inform our actions in both spheres. The Bible clearly shows that God holds leaders accountable for protecting the vulnerable. In a democratic republic like ours, that responsibility falls on each of us as citizens. We cannot sit on the sidelines and pretend our political choices have no bearing on the moral fabric of our society.

Voting is not just a political act; it’s a moral one. Our laws shape our culture, and our culture shapes our laws. To suggest that Christians should abstain from political participation is to ignore the powerful influence our political choices have on the world around us.

Of course, navigating the political landscape can be challenging, particularly when we’re faced with imperfect candidates. But even in those situations, we can still choose the path that “lessens evil” and promotes the greatest good. Our allegiance to any political party should always be contingent, subject to reevaluation if that party betrays its principles and embraces policies that contradict our core values.

The Time to Act is Now

My friends, this “stay of execution” is not a time for complacency. It’s a time to mobilize, to strategize, and to act. We need to equip ourselves with knowledge and resources to effectively advocate for the sanctity of life. If you haven’t mastered the moral logic of the pro-life position, I urge you to seek out resources like “The Case for Life” book or consider taking a course through LTI. Now is the time to hone your skills and become a powerful voice for the voiceless.

Let’s not squander this opportunity. Let’s be bold, be strategic, and be relentless in our defense of life. Together, we can make a difference.