Maternal death rate continues to increase sharply

Maternal death is a tragedy that affects women and their families around the world. In the United States, maternal death rates have been on the rise, with the U.S. having one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries.

Recently released federal data reveals that the nation’s maternal death rate rose significantly in 2021, with the rates among Black women more than twice as high as those of white women.

Here is what you should know about maternal death in America and the opportunity it presents for the Church to be a source of hope and light:

How is your church responding to a post-Roe world?

The Dobbs decision marks a true turning point in the pro-life movement — a moment that Christians, pro-life advocates and many others have worked toward tirelessly for 50 years. As we respond to the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

Across the nation state legislative sessions are underway. Though we typically think of Washington, D.C., as the primary location for policy change, the realities of a polarized nation and nearly evenly divided federal legislature make it difficult for substantial decisions to be made at a national level. As a result, state legislatures are in a position to make more consequential decisions in the policy areas that Southern Baptists care about and have addressed.

One of the ministry assignments of the ERLC is to assist churches through the communication and advocacy of moral and ethical concerns in the public arena. While the public arena is often thought of federally, it is also just as important locally. We will continue to serve and partner with state conventions and state advocacy groups on the issues of missional priority that are not just of national importance, but state importance as well.

In this spirit, the ERLC released a new State Policy Review. This review is not an exhaustive list of policy priorities but just a few examples of current debates happening at the state level where Southern Baptists may choose to engage. Regardless of the current state or outcome of these specific pieces of legislation, we look at these policies to chart a hopeful vision for the landscape of state legislatures in this season and years to come.

You can read more about the State Policy Review here.

Featured Podcasts

This week's episode of the ERLC Podcast features the installation address of President Brent Leatherwood, during which he casts a vision for this entity in the upcoming season, committing to serve our churches and engage the culture with conviction and kindness.

From The Public Square

New law puts Wyoming at forefront of abortion pill bans
Associated Press

Thousands of people have traveled to Florida from as far away as Texas to end their pregnancies since the Supreme Court dismantled Roe v. Wade in June — and Republicans want to put a stop to it.

Tennessee House OKs narrow abortion exemption bill
ABC News

Tennessee's GOP-dominant House on Monday advanced legislation that would add a narrow exemption to the state's strict abortion ban, despite concerns raised by Democrats and medical experts that the bill does not go far enough to protect doctors and pregnant patients.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs bill to create 'monument to the unborn' on Arkansas Capitol grounds
ABC News

Rep. Mary Bentley, allows for private funds "of gifts, grants, and donations from individuals and organizations" to pay for a monument to "unborn children aborted during the era of Roe v. Wade."

Proposal to ban abortions at six weeks advances in Florida
Associated Press

A proposal to ban abortions at six weeks in Florida received overwhelming approval from a state House committee Thursday with Democrats acknowledging there was nothing they could do to stop it from eventually becoming law.

What You Need to Read

Brent Leatherwood with His installation address from this week's ceremony in Nashville

This Commission stands at the beginning of a new era. We will build and reconstitute this team to meet the demands of the times we find ourselves in; fulfill the assignment given to us by our churches, initiated over a century ago; and do all we can to bring honor and glory to the name and saving grace of Jesus Christ by telling a dark public square of the “light of life” we read about in John 8.

Alex Ward with A history of the ERLC

May 8 marks one of the anniversaries of the founding of what would become the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. The ERLC is the Southern Baptist entity tasked with speaking for Southern Baptists in the public square and speaking to Southern Baptists on matters of moral importance. Below are some highlights from the history of the ERLC and all its previous versions.

Jordan Wootten with How should Christians work to prevent the exploitation of migrant children?

We, who are pro-life are those that value and seek to protect life at all stages, from conception (womb) to natural death (tomb). Besides standing for the preborn, we must recognize the other life and human dignity issues in front of us, issues like sex trafficking, racial injustice, or this recently highlighted example, the exploitation of children who’ve migrated to the United States. This is an issue from which we can’t look away.