Unplanned - A Must See Movie

Dear Pastors

Jeanette and I went to the first public viewing in Hamilton of this long awaited movie on Monday night along with 180 other pro-life folks. I had the privilege of co-convening a 20 minute conversation immediately after the movie which we will be doing again on two occasions next month.

As ‘ministers of the gospel’ we all hold firmly to a pro-life position and we agree that life begins at conception (which I for one still view as one of the great miracles of this life). Whether the Bible is the primary source for our convictions or whether science (Embryology in particular) is or perhaps even philosophy and logic or because of your own lived experience or a combination of all four sources the fact remains we are pro-life. So that’s not the reason I am urging you to go to the movie.

I am urging you to go to the movie because it is a profoundly powerful story for one and because it gives you an insight into ‘an industry’ that is deeply deeply deeply disturbing. It’s the closest any of us will ever get to an Abortion clinic. And all this without any nudity or profanity. It does contain a few confronting scenes that in my opinion are essential to the integrity of the movie.

It's a movie about the trauma of women having an abortion. It is a movie about little babies being ripped apart. It is a movie about this dark and evil practice (industry). It is a movie about blatant lying that is too hard to believe. It is a movie about how one person can make a huge change. It is a movie about how Christians CAN make a difference. It’s a movie that has strengthened my own conviction to ‘speak out’ about this issue. And yes it is a movie about the power of Faith, Hope and Love.

If you Goggle ‘Abby Johnson’ or ‘Unplanned-the movie’ you will see lots of You Tube clips and reviews etc. Here is one ‘tasters’ and here is the second.

Unfortunately seeing this movie at a theatre near you is not straight forward. Basically it needs to be ‘hosted’. The organisation that provides this service is called Fan Force. Currently there are some 20 screenings planned around NZ. If you would like to know where these are, dates and times please feel free to drop my Administrative Assistant, Liz an email and she will send you a list.

Going one step further, would you consider a viewing at your church because that is in fact possible? This could be followed by a short Q & A session as many hosts have planned at the theatre’s. And then why not teach on the subject the following Sunday morning? Here’s a suggestion how you could set that up.

“Next Sunday I want to talk about Abortion. I am all to aware that there may be a small number of you for whom this subject is to painful right now. I entirely understand that and would suggest you might give church a miss next Sunday. That said, please be assured that my message isn’t to bring condemnation to any individual but rather share with you what the Bible has to say on this really important subject. Here at XYZ Church we believe in Grace, Forgiveness and Healing and we are here for you irrespective of your past and my past”.

Wouldn’t it be simply amazing if 400,000 NZ’ers heard once again sometime in the next month or two the wondrous story of how God created us all and that He is the one who gives life, whereas the devil has come to destroy life, because he (the devil) is a thief, a robber and a destroyer.

Pastor. Will you venture into the tricky waters of Abortion for the sake of future babies yet to be conceived and also their mothers and their fathers? Pastors, will you take a small risk and don’t let the hard cases put you off but address them with clarity, grace and love? Please.

Blessings

Alan

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.