News From The Assembly

Disciples Adopt Resolution Seeking Common Ground On The Issue Of Abortion 
July 25, 2007 - Disciples News Service - Fort Worth, Texas

Disciples at the General Assembly adopted a sense-of-the assembly resolution on the last day of the session that urges congregations to find common ground on the issue of abortion through proactive prevention.

Jerry McKean of Muncie, Ind., an adoptive father of two who strongly urges “open adoption” where the child knows and interfaces with birth parents as well as his adoptive parents, urged delegates to not forget adoption as a viable option in the debate.

Timothy Murphy, co-author of the resolution sponsored by the Compton Heights Christian Church in St. Louis, Mo., said proactive prevention is a pragmatic way to save life. “Both sides win in this,” Murphy said. 

James Rollins of Tatum, Texas, said, “God gave me the good sense to reach beyond the title of this resolution.  I tried to find something wrong with it and I couldn’t.” Thus, he was in favor of it.

The resolution encourages Disciples to, among others thing “repent of the sin of vilifying one another based on our opinions on divisive topics such as abortion or of using such opinions as tests of the Christian fellowship of faith.”

It also supports shelters for women and children in pregnancy crisis situations, facilitating the education of men as to their responsibilities in sexual relationships to ensure the safety and dignity of women and children, and support women who have had abortions, or who face difficult decisions regarding pregnancy by providing our churches as sanctuaries offering healing pastoral and congregational care through compassionate listening and the embodiment of God’s gracious presence.

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By:  John Hotard, freelance writer