Lifeway Research Asks Churches What They’ve Done Since the Overturning of Roe v. Wade

A new Lifeway Research survey asks, “What have churches done since the overturning of Roe v. Wade?”

Nearly a third (31%) of American Protestants surveyed say their congregation has been involved with local pregnancy centers. Sixteen percent say their church has offered financial support or encouraged the congregation to financially support a local pregnancy resource center (14%). 

Among the U.S. Protestant churchgoers polled, 14% say their church has encouraged them to refer those with unplanned pregnancies to a pregnancy resource center or to volunteer at one (11%). Another 7% of respondents say their church has had a leader from a pregnancy resource center speak at their church.

The survey found age to be a factor, as churchgoers under 50 (21%) are more likely than those 65 and older (11%) to say their church has financially supported a local pregnancy center. Respondents who are 18 to 34 (19%) and 35 to 49 (20%) are more likely than those 50 to 64 (8%) and 65 and over (5%) to say their church has made appeals for support of a local pregnancy center. 

Along denominational lines, Restorationist Movement (22%), Baptist (19%) and non-denominational (16%) churchgoers, when compared to Lutherans (7%), are more likely to say this is true for their church. Lutheran (14%) and Baptist (10%) churchgoers are more likely to say their church is not near a pregnancy resource center than members of Presbyterian/Reformed congregations (2%).

“More than 4 in 10 pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended according to the Centers for Disease Control,” said McConnell. “Changes to the legality of abortion do not change the reality that a large number of women and couples are not planning for the positive pregnancy tests they receive. They need compassion, care and tangible help but are often not open to turning directly to a church for help.”

Read the full report here.