Here - International Pentecostal Holiness Church

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Pregnancy is a natural result of sexual activity and integral to God’s design and command for
humans to “be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28). If God permits a pregnancy,
planned or unplanned, we should understand that God is forming a new life in his image. Sex is a
responsible act only in a relationship in which a couple is willing to care for any children that can
come from that union. However, in stark contrast to the biblical vision, irresponsible and
flippant treatment of sex abounds in our society. It is no wonder that unplanned pregnancy
similarly abounds and places many parents and their children in environmentally, economically
and emotionally precarious states.
We recognize the pain, fear and even anguish that sometimes accompanies an unplanned
pregnancy. The parents, particularly when they are young or unmarried, are often overwhelmed
by the sacrifices that would be required to care for a young life. In too many cases, fathers desert
their partners and unborn children as soon as pregnancy is discovered. Abandoned pregnant
mothers may feel hopeless in the face of the daunting challenges of single parenting. Sadly,
many fathers and mothers in these situations each year turn away from the joys and
responsibilities of parenting or the alternative of adoption, and many then bear heavy burdens
stemming from those decisions for years to come.
Approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, and more than 40 percent of these three
million unplanned pregnancies are aborted. This accounts for the vast majority of America’s
abortions every year. 3 Any serious attempt to reduce the number of abortions must therefore
come to terms with unplanned pregnancy, the pandemic of extramarital sex and the complex
issues surrounding contraception and other family planning methods. Where couples are not
willing to accept the responsibilities of parenting, they should educate themselves about ethical
methods of family planning. The Church is understandably reluctant to recommend
contraception for unmarried sexual partners, given that it cannot condone extramarital sex.
However, it is even more tragic when unmarried individuals compound one sin by conceiving
and then destroying the precious gift of life. Witness the far reaching consequences to King
David’s sins of adultery and murder. 4
In some cases, couples embracing pregnancy face diagnoses of potential complications for their
prenatal child. Too often these diagnoses are accompanied by suggestions towards abortion. For
example, prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome result in abortion in approximately 90 percent of
such situations. 5 We are deeply saddened not only by such a staggering trend but also its subtle
eugenic implications. Parenting a child with physical or developmental difficulties can be a
significant challenge but also a great blessing. We believe churches should strive to be
communities offering extra love and support for families who conceive or adopt special needs
children.
We do not wish to exalt a one-size-fits-all approach to abortion reduction. Rather, we urge
church leaders, always with a mind to honor God’s gifts of life and sex and his holy institutions
of marriage and family, to seek out strategies appropriate for their congregations and
communities.
We are grateful for those already working in ministries supporting children and youth, pregnancy
care, adoption, single parents and parents of children with special needs, poverty relief, biblically
2
COB Meeting July 19-20, 2010