Sidewalk counselors?
Years ago, I (Vicky) was introduced to this term by a Facebook friend. I saw that she called herself a sidewalk counselor, and my response was something like, “You’re not a counselor. I know you don’t have a degree in counseling.”
Can you relate?
Maybe you recently met some pro-life Christians who said they were sidewalk counselors. Or your pastor mentioned this phrase in a sermon, and you’re looking for more information on the topic.
In this article, you’ll learn who sidewalk counselors are and what they do. There’s also information on where you can find training for sidewalk ministry at your local abortion clinic.
Who Sidewalk Counselors Are
As the term implies, sidewalk counselors are those who engage in sidewalk counseling, a distinct branch of the pro-life movement that focuses on ending abortion by engaging mothers from the public sidewalks near abortion clinics. (Be sure to read our article on what sidewalk counseling is.)
Sidewalk counselors are distinct from other members of the anti-abortion community. Unlike those seeking pro-life legislative action, sidewalk counselors are not focused on Supreme Court decisions or state laws. Rather, these individuals engage in a grassroots effort against legalized murder—helping one mother at a time.
Sidewalk counselors are also distinct from workers at crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). While a sidewalk ministry and CPC may collaborate, in general, they focus on two separate groups. CPCs often serve abortion-vulnerable women who are seeking (or are open to) help for their pregnancies. In contrast, sidewalk counseling ministries primarily target abortion-minded or abortion-determined women. It is not uncommon for sidewalk counselors to meet with rejection or even open hostility.
While not all sidewalk counselors are professing Christians, many are. At Sidewalks4Life, we believe in not only speaking the truth about abortion but also sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Don’t You Need a Degree to Use the Term “Counselor”?
When someone says he or she is a counselor, you may think of a certified professional with a counseling degree. Hearing someone use “sidewalk counselor” to describe himself or herself may be disconcerting.
However, in sidewalk ministry, “counselor” is not meant to indicate academic credentials. Rather, the term has this definition provided by Merriam-Webster: “a person who gives advice or counseling.”
For women facing an unwanted pregnancy, sidewalk counselors do indeed “[give] advice.” This advice is rooted in the wisdom of God’s Word and encourages mothers to respond to their circumstances in a way that honors Him.
What Sidewalk Counselors Do
So how do sidewalk counselors serve the mothers that come to the abortion clinic? Below, we’ve listed some responsibilities of the sidewalk counselor:
Speaking the Truth
Counseling, by definition, involves a form of speech (whether verbal or written). And at the abortion mill, saying what is true is vital for confronting lies and stopping the slaughter of innocent lives. Sometimes, truth telling is the only tool we have to help abortion-minded women. At Sidewalks4Life, we encourage you to speak about God, the humanity of the baby, and available resources. Here, you can find a video on these 3 important talking points.
Handing Out Literature
Another way to counsel mothers (albeit indirectly) is to give them literature. Even a small booklet will contain more information than you can share in a few short seconds from the sidewalk. The mother can read the handout in her car or in the clinic—and consider what it says.
Inviting Further Engagement
Sidewalk counselors should seek to dialogue with women and recommend available resources. For example, you might offer the mom a free ultrasound (something the abortion clinic may charge for). Or you might ask why she wants an abortion so you can share what the Scriptures say and direct her toward legal counsel, housing help, etc.
Other Activities of Sidewalk Counselors
In addition to the list above, sidewalk counselors may engage in other forms of ministry.
However, these are optional to the role of the sidewalk counselor.
There are only so many responsibilities that a single person can carry. For example, it would be impossible for a counselor to provide one-on-one discipleship for each mother. This is a reason why local church participation is so important!
Directly Meeting Needs
Sidewalk counselors often serve as a bridge, connecting women to helpful resources. However, some counselors may decide to become more directly involved. For example, at Sidewalks4Life, we know sidewalk counselors who help throw baby showers for women who choose life.
Discipling Mothers
If a woman contemplates taking the life of her child, she has spiritual needs. Whether the mother needs evangelism or sanctification, a sidewalk counselor may provide Biblical mentorship, such as meeting for a weekly Bible study.
Engaging with Pro-aborts and Clinic Personnel
Should sidewalk counseling ever extend beyond mothers and their family members/friends? The answer is yes, but wisdom is needed.
At an abortion clinic, pro-abortion activists may deliberately try to distract sidewalk counselors. Clinic personnel can be hostile, too. We’ve seen “security guards” engage in harassment.
While we desire the salvation of these individuals, the sidewalk counselor’s primary focus is ministering to abortion-minded women and the people who accompany them. We recommend only engaging with pro-aborts/clinic staff when there are no mothers nearby who need help.
How Can I Learn to Be a Sidewalk Counselor?
Are you interested in confronting the culture of death? Do you want to become a sidewalk counselor? If so, here are some resources for you:
- Biblical qualifications. Before entering this ministry, it’s important to consider whether you are ready. We’ve written an article on this topic, which you can find here. (Hint: The qualifications may be simpler than what you think.)
- Sidewalk counseling training. If you’ve determined from God’s Word that He wants you to begin sidewalk counseling, head over here to get trained! From videos to tips, we’ve provided content to equip Christians.
- Helpful articles. On our blog, you can read about what to expect on your first day as a sidewalk counselor, evangelism, and more.