ERLC Endorses Pro-Life Bills & Pastors Preparing Their People For An Election Year

A trio of pro-life bills, endorsed by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and other pro-life groups, were either introduced, reintroduced or passed last Thursday.

The Pregnancy Center Support Act was introduced to the Senate on Thursday, while the
Unborn Child Support Act was reintroduced the same day. Additionally, the previously introduced Pregnant Students’ Rights Act passed the House on Thursday.

These updates took place one day before the annual March for Life.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced the Pregnancy Center Support Act on Jan. 18.
The bill would implement a tax credit in order to encourage and incentivize voluntary contributions to pregnancy resource centers around the country.

The bill known as the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act passed the House Jan. 18 by a vote of 212 to 207, with only Republican support.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) in early 2022, requires public institutions of higher education that participate in federal student-aid programs to provide information to admitted and enrolled students about the available rights and resources for students who are pregnant or may become pregnant. These rights and resources must exclude abortion services.

The institution must also establish a protocol to meet with students who believe they have been discriminated against based on pregnancy. They must also provide pregnancy-related questions to enrolled students and annually submit compiled responses to the Department of Education.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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The calendar has turned over, and we are now in the thick of a political season in a presidential election year. Pastors around the country understand the gravity of this moment and want to lead their people well. So, what does that look like?

Every church and every context is going to be a little different. So, church leaders will need to equip their people in different ways. Still, there are some guiding principles that can serve pastors well.

1. Lead with gratitude for the opportunity to shape our communities and our country
In the maelstrom of an election season, with its flood of robocalls, mail pieces, TV ads, and social media battles, it’s difficult to find joy. But even as we grow exhausted and weary of the mudslinging, we might consider how fortunate we are to live in a country where we have at least some say in who leads us and what policies are enacted. This is a privilege afforded to few humans in the history of the world.

Today, even as democracy is more widespread, there are billions of people who live under tyranny. They’d love the opportunity to be able to speak out and vote. Pastors should encourage their people toward gratitude to God for allowing us to live in freedom. Gratitude is in short supply these days, as we have so many reasons to complain and so many platforms that allow us to register those complaints.