Anne Reed
AFA Journal staff writer
January 2015 – Imagine congregants gathering on a Sunday morning. The pastor looks across the room, swallows, and reconsiders his message. Abortion. Perhaps it should just be left alone.
A woman sits four rows back. A glimpse of the bulletin heading sends a surge of panic through her nervous system. She would never have walked through the doors had she known it was Sanctity of Life Sunday. “I’m trapped,” she realizes. “Should I just get up and leave? I can’t. Everyone will see me. They will know. That will be worse.”
Shame, fear, and silence rule her life. No one cared or fought for her. No one came to her rescue. Her grave miscalculation of options and consequences can never be undone. Betrayed by her accomplices: lovers, friends, parents, and the media – she is left alone in a world of silent screams.
In her mind, there is no way out. The gospel only applies to the mask she has created to hide her secret, but never to the deepest, buried reality of who she really is – a person scarred forever by her sin.
*****
Some say we have an entire unreached people group right here in the U.S. It is distinguished not by skin color, ethnic background, education, or gender, but rather by a common point of loss and the stinging ache that entwines survival in the aftermath. For some the pain is acute, and for others it is a distant echo and a numbing chill that separates them from truly living.
Abortion. The word itself disturbs and rips at our emotions.
Highly charged language relating to life and death will blanket the nation this month as we recognize the sanctity of human life through annual marches, social media uprisings, newspapers, radio waves, and other media.
Women who have had abortions are typically viewed as stand alone entities. But in reality, 64% experienced some degree of coercion. How does this fact change the dynamic for those who legitimately care about penetrating the post-abortive world with grace and truth?
If post-abortive women in the church could hear from those who have somehow played a part in their abortions, whether directly or indirectly, what would they want or need to hear? Why does it matter?
What they would say
Heroic Media, an international faith-based, non-profit organization that utilizes media to connect women with hopeful alternatives to abortion and build a culture of life, has considered these questions. And they are doing something about it.
John Blandford, Heroic Media’s director of church relations, fathered a baby and encouraged his girlfriend to abort in 1992. In his words, “I had an abortion.” He has now devoted himself to helping the church see the issue more broadly, yet more intimately.
Blandford’s latest project is the production of a short film designed to help churches gracefully and tenderly address abortion.
Blandford said, “Most videos on life focus almost exclusively on the woman’s role in the abortion – often completely disregarding the guy’s involvement. It is time for a fresh perspective. And, frankly, it is time for men to man up. Of course, we need to confess and repent to God. I believe we also need to apologize to our dear sisters for our role in the abortion tragedy. Prayerfully, this will help get this conversation in the light.” 
The film The Apology Click Here (3-5 minutes) clearly encompasses the depth of individual and widespread cultural responsibility with a series of apologies from direct and indirect participants of abortion.
