In the Vineyard

The Post-Abortion Review
Vol. 7, No. 4, Oct-Dec 1999
Ann Vogel
Elliot Institute
Reproduced with Permission

Pro-life Christians -- especially Catholics and Evangelicals -- are often accused of being judgmental and insensitive to the needs of women. But the abortion proponents who make this accusation fail to realize that while the Church must boldly defend the truth and unmask evil wherever it is, its primary mission is to bring Christ's forgiveness and healing to sinners. This is why true pro-life Christianity involves caring about women both before and after they have had an abortion.

Post-abortion ministries are a prime example of this mission. For those of us who have had abortions, it is encouraging to see the Church's increasing efforts to reach out to us.

A large number of post-abortion programs are available to women around the country through pregnancy centers, churches, and independent post-abortion ministries. One such program is Rachel's Vineyard, a weekend retreat designed to give women and men suffering from abortion a time for mourning, healing, and rejoicing. The retreats are held dozens of times each year around the country.

The "background" or theme of the retreat is meeting Christ in a Vineyard. The Vineyard is a safe place to share one's story. The storyteller is free to express her anger, grief and pain. Each story is the same, and yet very different. The burden of the past is shared. For many women, this is the first time they have shared their story with anyone. Through this process the women no longer feel alone.


For entire article and more information view: http://www.afterabortion.org/PAR/V7/n4/inthevineyard.htm

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