HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

How can a Bible believing pastor’s voice be heard in his own community above the sound of so many others? One way is to write a letter to the Editor. I am not an expert on the subject but here are a few personal suggestions.

1. Remember that your intention is to communicate a Biblical truth. Most of those who read these letters are not born again believers and may have never heard anything close to what you have to say.

2. Because many who will read our letter are Biblically illiterate Biblical terms must be translated into understandable language. The use of Scripture is good but not always necessary. This is not compromise.

3. When writing to the local paper seek to write on a subject that relates locally. Some national and international subjects may or may not relate directly to your local area. Your desire is for your letter to be (1) published and (2) read.

4. Most papers have a word limit. This is generally 100 to 200 words. If you use Microsoft Word, under Tools click word count.

5. Write on a subject you (1) know something about and (2) are passionate about, Jeremiah 20:9 "...his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."

6. Have one subject in mind and keep to it. In addition, it is usually best to write on a subject that is recent rather than something that took place weeks or months ago.

7. Always use grammar and spell check!

8. Never be rude or disrespectful of those with whom you disagree. Character assassination is not your purpose. However, if there is an ethical issue at stake involving a certain person or persons they may be mentioned. Remember Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

9. Read and re-read your letter with a critical eye.

10. Always sign your letter with your name, address and phone number. Now with the Internet your letters can be sent via email but never send your letter as an attachment.

So far all of my letters have been published. Let me give an example of a letter I recently had published in our local paper in a city of forty thousand. The local newspaper carried an article relating the fact that the Australian Government had approved a multi-million dollar programme for what is called a "new pregnancy helpline" involving the Roman "Catholic Church agency" the "Caroline Chisholm Society".

Since the Roman Church is anti-abortion, at least for now, the pro-choice groups were up in arms. These pro-choice critics said "…the Catholic Church, which is opposed to abortion, should not be involved in abortion counselling." They are not shy about what kind of counselling they would give. The reality of it all is that so called pro-choice is nothing more than pro-abortion.

There are a couple of things I am unenthusiastic about in this situation. First, I am not for the Catholics taking taxpayer’s money for this cause or any other. The Roman Church should fund their own agencies with their own money! Secondly, I am not in favour of a taxpayer’s helpline that gives women information on how to dispose of their unborn child! So I wrote a letter to the Editor of my local paper. I wrote:

Sir,

The Federal government’s Pregnancy helpline with an outlay of many millions of taxpayer’s dollars conjures a few thoughts.

1. There is an anti-smoking ad on television paid for by the NSW government (taxpayer’s money) that tells the viewer that a pregnant woman who smokes may damage her baby. Why in this anti-smoking ad is that which is in the woman a baby and not a foetus? At what stage of the pregnancy does the foetus become a baby or is "it" a foetus only when it comes to a woman’s choice whether to keep "it" or not?

2. Why is it the taxpayer’s responsibility to inform a woman "on all options available to women in the case of an unplanned pregnancy"? Aren’t many things that come into our lives "unplanned"? Is it the taxpayer’s responsibility to pay for counselling to consider all the "options" when something or someone "unplanned" enters our life? Is it the taxpayer’s responsibility to pay for the elimination of that "unplanned" something or someone?

3. What exactly is "pro-choice" and whose choice?

4. What personal moral responsibilities do a man and woman have in the matter of conception?

The simple reality is pro-choice means abortion and pro-life means life.

Dr. David C. Bennett

Western Plains Baptist Fellowship

PO Box 1241

Dubbo, NSW 2830

6884-2846