Last spring I received a humbling request from Ruth Coghill, a seasoned and passionate Bible teacher, and a vibrant part of our Trentside congregation and Bobcaygeon community. Ruth asked if I would be willing to read a rough draft of a book she was working on, and if possible, write an endorsement for it. I had two immediate thoughts, one positive and one negative. First, I thought, “Wow — what an honour! But why me; I am just a small country parish pastor?” The honour then quickly led to fear, when I also wondered, “What if I don’t like it?” How does one decline such a trust? Would my morals be tested; where instead of offending, I would just lie and write some boiler-plate sentiment?
A few days later, Ruth forwarded the rough transcript, which I printed off, and then began digesting the material. Within just a few pages, my initial worries were relieved, as I knew I was not just reading a good book, but reading one of those rare and special books. Not another book that collects dust filling a spot in a bookcase, rather this was a book that would help fill a vacuum within the readers’ heart. Although my initial fear was quickly relieved because of the quality of the book, soon a much greater fear took hold of me. A fear that may sound cowardice for a Christian pastor to admit, but a fear that shook, in a small way, the foundations of my faith.
The subtitle for Unborn. Untold. is, True Stories of Abortion and God’s Healing Grace. The work is a compilation of eighteen true experiences all based around the sensitive subject of abortion. The book consists of stories, of both women and men, of both young and old. Some are stories where abortion was chosen; some where it was considered and later rejected. Some are stories of how the impact was immediate, and some where its effects were felt much later. Some of the stories tell of the grief experienced by the mother who underwent the procedure; some stories tell of the grief of the father and others connected with the aborted child. My fear was not based on the merits of the book. No, my fear was personal, my fear was based on the subject matter itself.
To say that abortion is one of the most politicized and divisive issues of our current day would be an understatement. I have no intent in this blog to try and wade into the political fray of the pro-life and pro-choice movements, but by the simple act of attaching my name to a book that addresses the subject, I could not help but feel a little of the weight and tension surrounding this issue. This is where my cowardice comes in. Although I am unapologetically pro-life, there was a part of me that would be happy to stay on the sidelines. No pastor or person, even in a small way, wants to be seen as some anti-woman, anti-choice, radical, rightwing, repressive bigot — would people start considering me this way? It was because of this selfish sense of fear, I also began to realize just how important this book was. People by nature do not like to be made uncomfortable, and abortion, there is no way around it, is an unsettling reality.
Shortly after the book was released, I asked Ruth to take some time and share about what led her to compiling these stories during a Sunday morning service. I was grateful to Ruth, along with one of the contributors Amy Jackson, who were more than willing. It was a powerful morning. What was truly amazing about this morning was the response. So many people expressed thanks; thanks for the vulnerability and courage of Ruth and Amy in sharing, but more surprisingly, there was a genuine appreciation that we as a church would speak openly about a subject so many would prefer to remain silent on.
During this Sunday I received, perhaps the greatest compliment, I have ever received on behalf of a church. A gentleman approached me after the service, expressed his gratitude for addressing abortion in church, and then said something that shook me. He said, “I believe a true church for today, is the church that is willing to address and offer support and love to those dealing with two particular issues, abortion and mental health. How the church accepts people hurting from these challenges is the real test of a true church.” He then said, “Today you have shown you are a real church, who is not afraid to offer hope and grace to those who often feel most marginalized in the church.”
I can only hope as a church we can continue to live up to that standard. My prayer is that all people will know, no matter where they come from, and for whatever they might be dealing with, in a church (which hopefully includes Trentside) they will be offered the grace, hope and healing made available in Jesus and afforded them by his followers!
I recognize that some who may be reading this week’s blog will likely have a personal connection in some way with an abortion. My goal in addressing the topic this week, is meant in no way to be judgemental or inflammatory, but to simply highlight an important resource. The reason why I am such a big fan of Unborn. Untold. is because it is, in truth, not a book about abortion, nor is it a political book. Rather it is a book of true stories, of true people, both broken and put back together. Most importantly, it is a book about the amazing healing grace of Jesus Christ! Abortion just happens to be the thread that weaves all these stories together in revealing Jesus’ amazing grace! And as a pastor, God’s love and grace is a subject I cannot remain silent on.
Follow-up Resource:
1) Words to Inspire — If you would like to learn more about Unborn. Untold. or wish to get a copy of the book, please visit Ruth Coghill’s ministry website at: https://wordstoinspire.ca
