Converge Leadership Responds to Supreme Court Decision
In a landmark case on Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in the Dobbs v. Jackson decision to uphold a Mississippi law that banned most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The court also ruled 5-4 that this decision overturns federal abortion rights based on Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
The national and regional leadership of Converge supports this ruling. We embrace the value of life from conception to death. Our support is in line with biblical principles outlined in Converge’s doctrinal distinctive on Humanity approved at this year’s biennial meeting. Part of this distinctive states the following:
In a landmark case on Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in the Dobbs v. Jackson decision to uphold a Mississippi law that banned most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The court also ruled 5-4 that this decision overturns federal abortion rights based on Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
The national and regional leadership of Converge supports this ruling. We embrace the value of life from conception to death. Our support is in line with biblical principles outlined in Converge’s doctrinal distinctive on Humanity approved at this year’s biennial meeting. Part of this distinctive states, “human beings of every ethnicity, age, ability, as well as the pre-born deserve dignity, protection, honor, respect, and Christian love.” In the explanation accompanying this distinctive statement, we noted “The sacredness of human life is an important principle in the Bible. God foreknows every person’s existence, and each life begins in the womb.” We are grateful for the lives of unborn children that will be saved as a result of this ruling.
As Bible-believing Christ-followers, we are indeed “pro-life.” The Bible calls the people of God to value all human life from the moment of conception. Our faith requires us to care for the child and the mother, as well as persons on every side of this issue. With the changes in abortion law that will happen in many states, the church must intensify its support and investment to show compassion, care and unprecedented generosity to those impacted by this decision. While holding to our convictions that abortion is wrong, we must respond with the character of Christ to those who disagree. We have the opportunity to be salt and light to our communities and to advance the gospel in word and deed.
Converge encourages all church leaders to think through ministry opportunities to women with unexpected pregnancies, to increase engagement with foster care organizations and ministries to orphans and homeless mothers, as well as to support pregnancy centers. We also encourage churches to partner with Christian counseling centers to make sure those who have unplanned pregnancies, who have had abortions or who have been traumatized by abortion can get the help they need. We need to respond with the appropriate balance of grace and truth to those who may have a different view.
May we all respond in biblical ways to whatever issues arise in our society. We encourage true followers of Christ to receive this news with great humility and sober mindedness because of the hardship and hard work to come. The church has a great opportunity to demonstrate the grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness of Christ, as well as serve our communities with care, comfort and generosity. May God lead us in our efforts to help people meet, know and follow Jesus.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6)
Scott Ridout
President, Converge
Ken Nabi
Regional President, Converge Great Lakes
Jim Capaldo
Regional President, Converge Heartland
Gary Rohrmayer
Regional President, Converge MidAmerica, Southeast & Caribbean
Brian Weber
Regional President, Converge MidAtlantic
Mark Bjorlo
Regional President, Converge North Central
Tim Ponzani
Regional President, Converge Northeast
Nate Hettinga
Regional President, Converge Northwest
Bernard Emerson
Regional President, Converge PacWest
Paul Mitton
Regional President, Converge Rocky Mountain
Bruce Sumner
Regional President, Converge Southwest