Elections are upon us, and by the time we meet together on Sunday morning we will have all had the opportunity to cast our vote for those we believe will do the best job of governing our country for the next three years. A couple of weeks ago I alluded to the underlying political tensions that exist in a community of faith like ours: where two different people, despite sharing the same faith, can have two very different views. In fact it has been said that if you get four Baptists together you get five different opinions.

In this regard politics is like many other areas of life. It is not always as simple as saying "this is right; this is wrong". Sometimes it's that easy...but often it's not!

I find that when there are differences of opinion and different ways of looking at life, often these can have a positive effect on a community. It highlights things like:

- the fact that we are thinking people and not blindly accepting what we're served up.
- that we are a people who are seriously engaging in the world around us and not just giving platitudes.
- .(...but best of all) the fact that what binds us together as people of faith, is greater than what would try and tear us apart.

Our faith in Jesus Christ is the glue that holds us as one people. HE is the way; the truth; and the life...and He can't be contained within any man-made political system.  At this important time where decisions are being made, both personally and as a nation, let's remember our primary goal: to be faithful to God, to follow His Holy Spirit and to seek Him in every way we know how. Only then will we hold the unity in Christ Jesus that God so desperately wants to see in us, His people.

Happy voting
Blessings,
Pastor David

The last couple of days my family and I have been running around the countryside on a pilgrimage to Wairoa in Hawkes Bay. My 84 year old Great Uncle Poho, the last of my Grandfather's siblings, doesn't have long for this life and I felt a strong tug in my spirit to spend time with him before he passes.

I guess it's natural to have this kind of urge, but I have to admit it's never been quite like this for me before. There is something very spiritual and emotional about it, as if somehow this pilgrimage is mixed up in my identity - issues of belonging, connectedness, land and generational significance are running through my heart and mind. It's hard to explain, but it's what has driven me to take this journey; to seek a blessing from my Uncle; and to pray blessings on him in these last days of his life.

As I reflect on all of this, one of my favourite passages of Scripture comes to mind. It was written for another culture who were whakapapa (generational) and whenua (land) oriented people - the Hebrews. Take a look at what God says to them through his Prophet Moses (Dt. 30:19-20):

19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

It occurs to me that this blessing found here in Deuteronomy has a touch of eternal significance for individual salvation...but it is so much more than that too! It's also about a communal and generational blessing/salvation which can be experienced in some measure in this life and in this land. Sometimes, I think, our "western" thinking can emphasize the former truth without giving enough attention to the latter.

Uncle Poho is still holding on to life, but he will not hold on forever. Part of my identity is wrapped up in what my Uncle represents and that's not too far from the blessings and curses talked about here in scripture.

"Ma Ihowa koe e manaaki, mana koe e tiaki: Ma Ihowa tona kanohi e whakaara ki a koe, mana ano e tuku te rangimarie ki a koe. A ka karangatia e ratou toku ingoa ki runga ki nga tama a Iharaira; a maku ratou e manaaki." (Tauanga 6:24-26)

‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn hisface toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

Arohanui, 
Pastor David Auty

You know how the old saying goes: "Don't ever talk about sex, religion or politics". Well I'm sorry but I'm going to talk about 2/3 of those here today.

So let's start with sex...oh ok, let's start with politics instead :)

I know Christian people who strongly believe that you can't be a Christian and vote for "the left". Equally I know other Christian people who adamantly believe the opposite: that there's no way a true Christian could every vote for "the right".

So who has it wrong? Or is there an alternative way of understanding politics that allows for us to hold our civic responsibility to vote, alongside an integrity to our faith as followers of Jesus? A view that allows for us to come to different conclusions from other Christians, while still holding the unity of the body of Christ? I really believe there is.

Does it help for us to ask the question: "who would Jesus vote for?". Well yes, I think it does help. But if you are looking for an easy answer to that question then you'll find it pretty illusive. The fact is that although Jesus taught and performed miracles pointing to "the Kingdom of God", he showed little interest in taking sides with the politicians of his day. In fact he had some hard words to say to many of the powerbrokers that he encountered. He challenged their motivations and urged them, along with everyone else, to seek first the Kingdom of God. So why would we expect a definitive blueprint for voting in the 2011 NZ General election?

So how should we vote? Here's what I think:
- take the issues seriously
- engage in political thoughts, ideas and conversations.
- allow your Christian faith to inform those thoughts, ideas and conversations.
- vote with integrity to what you believe God would have you do.
- recognise that not everyone will come to the same conclusion as you, and that that's OK.

Despite many good intentions and good robust conversations, there is the likelihood that we will come to different conclusions from at least some other Christian brothers and sisters. This is largely based on the different priorities we place on issues. Because of this It is really important that we understand that our different conclusions should not cause bitterness and division. We need to recognise that holding a different political position is NOT the thing that defines you in terms of Christian integrity - that comes from your relationship with Jesus and your commitment to seeking after his will.

So when it comes to ticking the boxes on the 26th all I can say is this: be true to who God made you to be; be true to the integrity that he has placed inside of you; and be true to your identity in Christ. If we can all do that, then we can't go wrong, no matter how we might vote.

Arohanui,
Pastor David Auty

Almost without fail, at this time of year, fireworks become a part of my life... and I have noticed a distinct increase in large fireworks displays in this 20th Century.  Rugby World Cup, A&P Showgrounds, Millenium celebrations - all very spectacular!  However, I can't help but think that the small boxes of fireworks with the family in the back yard are the best kind of all. I guess that comes from my childhood where I remember us all gathering around and Dad letting off the little box of rockets, and us kids having sparkler sword fights late into the night.  

I reckon there are a couple of things about backyard fireworks that can encourage us today:

1. It's intimate and interactive.
Everyone can play some part and we all laugh together when the bottle accidentally tips over and the rocket whizzes around and hits dad on the backside. It's a bit like that for us as a church. There is something great about being able to know one another and to share in fellowship and friendship as we seek to be "living faith from the inside out" - even when things don't go exactly as planned.

2. We all have a backyard.
One thing I like to do is invite neighbours around when we let off fireworks - I got that from my childhood too! Putting that into our church context: it's nice that we can gather together as a church and share fellowship and friendship in faith, but it's also great that we don't just have one meeting place - we all have a metaphorical back yard. We all have the opportunity to engage with and get to know our neighbours. In the end this can be one of the best and most natural ways for us to share our faith - through hospitality and just sharing life with the people around us.

I hope you enjoy the fireworks this year!

Blessings,
Pastor David Auty