Presbyterians Pro-Life (PPL) announces, with gratitude to God, its decision to respond to the mounting needs of Presbyterians for this ministry by calling an Associate Director.

PPL, a "Special Organization" in the Presbyterian Church (USA), was born in the 1970s when the denomination gave way to cultural changes resulting from the sexual revolution and completely reversed its historic opposition to abortion.

Although the Christian Church from its earliest days opposed abortion and this abhorrence for the killing of the unborn had been consistently maintained by the Presbyterian Church through the 1960s, the General Assembly in the 1980s adopted a position that regarded abortion as an act of stewardship responsibility.

PPL’s immediate support by church members when the reversal of the denomination’s historic position began to occur produced growth that led to PPL’s incorporation in 1985 and the hiring of Terry Schlossberg as executive director in 1987.

The organization currently reaches nearly 40,000 Presbyterian homes and churches with its newsletter. Its mission focuses on leading the denomination to rediscover its roots in reformed and biblical faith and understanding how the clear teaching of Scripture leads Christians to stand in opposition to abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and any other practice that devalues the worth of human beings, all of whom are created in God’s image.

PPL is the primary avenue of resources for Presbyterians on a biblical perspective on life issues, alternatives to abortion, ministries for those who have been affected by abortion decisions, adoption, pastoral care for the infirm and dying, and sexual purity for our youth.

PPL regards addition of an associate director as an urgent priority and encourages qualified Presbyterians, both clergy and laypersons, to consider such service.

PPL seeks a person with broad capabilities that include both pastoral and polity strengths. Qualifications include a demonstrated ability to express the biblical view on life in speech and in written word, familiarity with the broader renewal community in the PC(USA), and commitment to the reform of the denomination.

Primary responsibilities of the Associate Director will include building contacts with churches and helping to plant pastoral ministries related to life in our congregations, giving leadership in PPL publications, giving leadership in good use of our presbyterian polity to carry out the mission of PPL, and providing leadership in management and development.

• Note - this article was first posted on the PPL website in October, 2002