In this powerful fourth episode of our No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture mini-series, Jess and Autumn sit down with Pastor Dr. Bryan “Dav” Davenport to talk about something that quietly shapes church culture more than we realize—the pulpit.

What is said (and not said) from the pulpit deeply impacts how people experience belonging, forgiveness, and healing—especially around topics like abortion.

Together, we explore:

• Why abortion has historically gone unspoken in many churches
• How silence can unintentionally reinforce shame
• The tension between honoring privacy and addressing truth
• What it looks like to speak about abortion pastorally, not just positionally
• How Jesus modeled both truth and compassion in moments of deep shame

Dr. Dav brings decades of pastoral insight and offers a perspective that is both grounded in Scripture and deeply compassionate. This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and necessary.

“What is kept in secret is kept in shame.” Dr. Dav

In this mini series, we explore where abortion shows up in the Church and where it doesn’t. Are pastors talking about it? Are leaders equipped? How is the sanctity of life communicated without shame or condemnation? We’re not here to argue. We’re here to ask how.

How do we create churches where women, men, teenagers, single parents, grandparents, and families feel safe enough to say the word “abortion”?

How do we become a culture that shows up before, during, and after crisis? Because she’s not “out there.” She’s sitting in the pew.