In the unrehearsed role-playing video (link is below), the mother is leading a risky lifestyle. She comes to the abortion center because she fears the baby might be disabled as a result. She is agnostic, so the counselor’s approach is shifted with that knowledge.
“The baby might die or be disabled.”
What Counselor Did Well
- Introduced herself and when brushed off, persisted in gently offering literature
- Refuted lies of abortion center’s perception of counselors with truth and tact
- Immediately introduced idea of the value of child to God, development, resources
- Doesn’t react with horror over mom drinking/smoking
- Asks lots of questions to discern truth
- Reflects mom’s concerns, restates
- Finds out if mom still drinking
- Asks why she stopped and recognizes and examines maternal instinct that had kicked in
- Pointing out what is normal instincts of a woman
- Asks about belief in God. Fishes for how to find entrée to discussion of God that she might relate to.
- Goes into scientific discussion to help humanize the child but also show the miracle of God’s design to help lead her to a conception of God as Designer/Creator
- Uses the truth of conception (flash of light at conception) to begin discussion of Jesus
- Paints picture of darkness (sin/abortion center) with light (choice of life/God)
- Assumes (rightly) she is walking in darkness and despair and states it
- Asks questions to help Mom come to conclusion that she should reconsider
- Restates main issue/fear, counters with truth of the humanity of the child
- Possibility for disability vs. certainty of death with abortion.
- Personal testimony of the horror of abortion, and how counselor came from agnosticism to God
- Tries to allay fears with knowledge of the protection of womb and God’s design
- Recommends continue abstaining from drinking
- Tells briefly of mentor program
What Counselor Could Improve Upon
- Maybe acknowledge more strongly the mom’s admission of dangerous activity and that it could indeed be harmful and the fears are rational. Could help introduce ideas of healing programs.
- When she said she had ultrasound, but didn’t want to see the baby, counselor should have asked why not. That would have been a great springboard to further discussion of conflict in her heart and acknowledging she was making an uninformed decision.
- Rather than encourage mom right away to go for ultrasound, offers to share Gospel. Not sure that was the best choice since the mom had avoided the ultrasound, indicating she knew it might convince her. Maybe offer ultrasound first, and then in the aftermath of that, offer to share Gospel.
0 Comments