What is sidewalk counseling?
If you’re new to this term or want to educate yourself on this pro-life ministry, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’re sharing a definition of gospel-centered sidewalk counseling and explaining what’s involved in this pro-life ministry.
What Is Sidewalk Counseling? Well, Here’s What It’s Not
Before we answer the question “What is sidewalk counseling?” or give a definition, let’s start with clarifying what sidewalk counseling is not.
If you google the term “sidewalk counseling,” you will find different perspectives on this topic. In fact, some might actually say that sidewalk counseling is “sidewalk harassment” or “sidewalk interference.”
Because of these misconceptions, we need to be quick to point out practices that don’t characterize gospel-centered sidewalk counseling:
- Sidewalk counseling is not yelling at women. This isn’t the place for crying out, “You’re a murderer. Don’t murder your baby!”
- Sidewalk counseling is not a protest. While demonstrations can be lawful in certain contexts, they are not the same as sidewalk counseling. (For more on this topic, please read this article on the difference between sidewalk counseling and protesting.)
- Sidewalk counseling is not harassment or interference. Sidewalk counselors should never try to block cars, block women from entering the abortion center, use physical force, or otherwise seek to take the law into their own hands.
Having clarified what sidewalk counseling is not, we can examine what sidewalk counseling is…
A Definition of Sidewalk Counseling
Now that we have cleared away misconceptions, let’s look at a definition of sidewalk counseling:
Sidewalk counseling – The act of peacefully, kindly, and nonforcefully engaging people who have come to the abortion clinic for the purpose of counseling them with God’s truth so that they are persuaded (not coerced) to forsake pursuing an abortion.
As its name implies, sidewalk counseling usually occurs on the sidewalk near an abortion center—where dozens of babies (or more) die every day. Often, sidewalk counseling is done with mothers, but sometimes the counseling involves support people, such as a friend, boyfriend, or grandparent of the unborn baby.
That’s a straightforward definition of sidewalk counseling. However, there’s another way to answer the question “What is sidewalk counseling?”
Proverbs 31:8-9 says this:
Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Another way to view sidewalk counseling is from a legal perspective. Sidewalk counselors are those who plead the cause of the poor and needy. We’re like legal counsel who speaks up for those appointed to die—the unborn babies.
When a mother comes to an abortion clinic, her baby is under a death sentence. Sidewalk counselors appeal to the mother and give reasons why her baby doesn’t deserve to die. They may be pleading against louder voices clamoring for death: fear, convenience, the abortion clinic, or perhaps even a family member.
What Kind of Counsel Is Given?
As we mentioned above, sidewalk counseling is about counseling women (and support people) with God’s truth.
For sidewalk counselors who are committed to the gospel, this may look a little different for each person. However, we train our sidewalk counselors to discuss three topics—particularly in their first interactions with a mother:
1. God
It is critical to bring the reality that there is a God to bear upon the consciences of those to whom we minister.
While scientific evidence against abortion can be helpful, no argument is as effective as Scripture and what it reveals about God. As Hebrews 4:12 says…
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
As sidewalk counselors, we want these mothers to know that there is a God, that their babies are made in His image, and that God wants them (the women) to trust Him. We also want to share the gospel, which alone can change hearts (we’ll explain more about this later).
2. The Humanity of the Baby
Dehumanization characterizes the abortion industry. They try to obscure reality using language, such as “fetus” or “termination.” They don’t want a mother to know what her child looks like.
In contrast, we teach our sidewalk counselors to discuss the humanity of the baby. Being informed about fetal development is critical. When we educate moms on fetal development, they are sometimes astounded.
3. Resources
The third point that we train our sidewalk counselors to mention is the resources that we offer.
In every city, there are maternity homes, pregnancy centers, and even government support for those who need assistance. It’s important for sidewalk counselors to have a network of resources available to help meet the practical needs of mothers.
We’ve put together a video on these three talking points, which you can access here.
Sharing the Gospel
Gospel-centered sidewalk counseling goes beyond seeking to stop an abortion. The ultimate goal is seeing lives change through the transformative power of the gospel.
But depending on the situation, we may only have a few seconds with the mother before she decides to leave. Our counsel might be as simple as this:
“Hi Mama, God cares about your baby! Even now, your baby has ten fingers, ten toes, and a beating heart. We have resources to help you. Will you come over to talk with us?”
If we get a chance to interact further with the woman, we may then have the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more resources on sharing the gospel at an abortion clinic, see this article and this one too.
Educating on Abortion Procedures
If it’s possible (and necessary), sidewalk counseling should also provide education on abortion procedures.
But when first interacting with a mom, a sidewalk counselor may ask how many weeks she is or why she feels she needs an abortion—instead of plunging into the details of a D&E abortion. If there’s a chance to talk further, a sidewalk counselor can help the mother understand what’s involved in an abortion.
Once again, the abortion industry tries to hide this information from mothers. They know that if a mother learns in depth about what is happening, she is less likely to follow through with an abortion.
Check Out Our Podcast Episode on “What Is Sidewalk Counseling?”
We hope this article has helped you answer the question, “What is sidewalk counseling?” In addition to this article, we’ve also created a podcast episode on this topic in our Gospel-Centered Pro-Life Podcast.
We hope this episode equips and encourages you for ministry at your local abortion clinic. Please take some time to listen and share.
0 Comments