Dear friends,
Good Friday morning!
Are you Pro-Life, or simply anti-abortion?
Not to be provocative, but one of my sons sent me an article this week that got me thinking. While I am firmly pro-life and against abortion, does my position impact how I regard and care for those who have been given life? Does it impact how I support those who have given birth and are raising their children?
One of my sons sent me a link to an article that has caused me to think. Written by Preston Yancey, it appears in the Washington Post, and is titled, “You say you’re pro-life, but then you want to limit health care for my disabled son.”
Written from the U.S. context, he tells the story of his son, born with a rather rare condition. Some acquaintances have asked if they had considered aborting him. They had not. Now that they have given their son life, the burden of their medical and care expenses had at first been borne generous and caring friends, but as things have gone on, they have applied Medicaid (U.S healthcare for families who cannot afford the necessary treatment).
As Preston muses, he writes,
On a practical level, the church has not found the $40 an hour for PDN. It has not found the money for ASL classes. It has not found the money for therapies, breathing treatments, for stays in the pediatric intensive care unit. The state had found that money. The state, even in its deep flaws, has found the resources to give Jack a quality of life, not just a life.
Now Jack’s quality of life is being threatened since the House voted to cut Medicaid spending by 25 percent, shifting it from an entitlement program to a capped program. I am assured by many that Jesus loves capitalism, but the free markets do not love people with disabilities, with mental illness, with conditions that do not make them what our ableist culture considers “fittest.” How can Jesus love what hates Jesus’ own?
In Preston’s experience, many evangelicals, while rightly opposed to abortion, are also against universal and affordable medical care. In short, he hears a message of Pro-life, with little help to raise the child. Here’s the link to the full article:
As believers, we are being watched by the world around us. They are looking to see if our words and actions are in alignment; if our convictions impact our stewardship and care for one another. Are we authentic?
Just this week, I learned of a single mom in one of our churches who was suddenly hospitalized and required surgery. A couple in the church, of grandparent age offered to take care of her daughter as the mom was in hospital and through her recovery. That’s the Body of Christ in action and a powerful witness to all. Way to go!
May God bless and keep you as you look to the Lord, and trust him for his good work in the week ahead.
In Jesus,
Rob
• Please remember Mountain View Church – our LPD “Church” of the Week. Thanks to Anna (Ben) Crumback at Sointula Community Church for producing the Church of the Week!
• Please see this week’s Five Minutes on Friday, with news and prayer updates from your LPD Family.
Five Minutes on Friday, May 12, 2017
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LPD Women in Ministry Facebook Page. Karen has set up a Facebook Page, and invites all women church ministry staff and pastor’s wives to join. The purpose is communication, encouragement and prayer for one another.
To join the Facebook Page, please simply search “LPD Women in Ministry” and click ‘Join” Pastors – please inform your spouse of this opportunity.
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Upcoming Events:
• EFCC Theological Summit and Annual Meeting, May 18,19 – in Okotoks or simulcast – For info and registration, see https://www.efccm.ca/wordpress/resource/theological-summit/
• You can also attend locally via simulcast.
• To register attend a simulcast, please contact the local host church. The $40.00 per person simulcast registration will be collected by them and forwarded to the EFCC.
• Central EFC: Office Administrator, Vicki Willms: centralchurch@shawbiz.ca (250 338 7727)
• Fort Langley EFC: Office Administrator: Emily Reesor: office@flefc.org (604 888 7131)
• Vancouver Chinese EFC: Office Administrator: Jane Leung: janeleung@vcefc.org (604 254 1242)
• LPD Pastors and Staff Cruise – Wednesday, May 31 – please mark your calendars.
• Camp Evergreen – August 7-12. http://www.campevergreen.ca/
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In 2017, our Lower Pacific District is assisting in the birth and revitalization of churches. We have also stepped out in faith with local churches through providing financial support and seed money. To this end, we appreciate the gifts of many district churches and also of individuals. You can participate through both cheques and online through PayPal at our website. See LPD website at https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/ for more info.
