Of Poverty...

"Poverty is not a lack of character. Poverty is a lack of money."

How we each respond to the paradigm of that quote sets the tone for all debate on economics, social justice and capitalism.

Getting Up Close and Personal

It's official! And I'm excited!

The Local Government Commission has made its determination on the representation structure for the Christchurch City Council ahead of the up-coming local body elections, and they have endorsed the City Council's recommendations (with a few boundary amendments).  A full copy of the report is here, but the essence is:

1 Mayor
16 Councillors
Elected from 16 individual member wards
7 Community Boards.

Supporters of a stronger democracy in Christchurch can breathe a sigh of relief. This is a dramatic improvement on the current model, for little overall difference in cost (a significant issue to a number of Christchurch residents).  It bring smaller wards, with single member representation. There are 16 councillors, not 13.  Taken together, these mean that it will be easier for Councillors to connect with their constituents; and much easier for their constituents to hold them to account: to get 'Up Close and Personal'.

I had initially preferred the 19 Councillor/ 19 Ward/ 8 Community Board model. I felt it was more democratic still. However, many people were fixated on the increased costs of this model, at a time when the Council was struggling to balance its books. For me, it was a hard decision, as I don't believe we can put a price on democracy.   However, finally I came down on the side of the new proposal, for the core reason that it is far better than the current one; and (as I noted) it is essentially cost neutral.

I've waited with some trepidation, as there were still those who wanted to maintain (or even further curtail!) the current inadequate system; and they had raised a number of objections.  But those objections have been set aside.  We have our new system!

A better structure is in place.  Now it's time to ensure we elect quality Councillors and Community Board members who can show they know how to listen to their people and empower their communities.  That's what local body politics should be about. And that's what I believe we can achieve.

And that's why I'm excited.

...of two conferences

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". 

So begins Charles Dickens' 'Tale of Two Cities'. A novel that powerfully explored one world with two radically different world views; fully dependent from which 'city' - London or Paris - one hailed. 

I have been reminded of this today, as I have come from the New Zealand Labour Party's Annual National Conference, in Palmerston North. Coming a year after one of the Party's most disastrous electoral drubbings in its 99 year history, it could so easily have been a time of teeth-nashing and voice-wailing. It could have been a time of blood-letting, of recriminations, of looking only to the distant past of 'what once we had'. We could have lifted up the drawbridge, sealed off the entrances, and hidden inside our fortress - hoping against hope that, the world would finally realize how wrong it was, and coming cap in hand to us, begging to let Labour lead again. 

Instead it was an uplifting and positive event. Past divisions were put aside. The loss was acknowledged and owned. But there was a determination to look forward, not hark back. To listen positively, not scream negatively. To seize tomorrow, not pine for yesterday. The leader's end-of-conference speech had the audience on their feet excited about winning in 2017: believing it as a real opportunity.   Truly, it was the best of times.

And then, there was the Baptist Union's conference, held in Tauranga - which I did not attend. Its most significant decision was on the non-place of same sex marriages in our buildings by our pastors. Not satisfied with affirming its position on the biblical basis of marriage (a view I fully endorse, by the way)  the conference looked for ways to enforce this on all its constituent members. Certainly, the conference ended with clarity on belief. And certainly there were speeches that contained real highlights. 

But...

Where was the vision for tomorrow? Where was the sense that we were establishing a cornerstone platform that would see the gospel transform families, Iwi, communities? Where was the 'hook' that showed we were looking out, looking forward, looking up? In what way did we lower the drawbridge and run out to embrace the people around us? Talking to those who attended, I heard none of that.

The best of times, the worst of times. Two cities; Palmerston North, and Tauranga. Two visions; Labour's, and The Baptist Union's. 

I'm glad I went to Palmerston North this weekend. 

Bowalley Road: Tricky Customer: Why Is Matthew Hooton Accusing John Key’s Government Of Lurching To The Left?

Bowalley Road: Tricky Customer: Why Is Matthew Hooton Accusing John Key’s Government Of Lurching To The Left?

Bowalley Road: The Common Affairs Of The Whole: Why The National Party Is So Bad For New Zealand Capitalism.

Bowalley Road: The Common Affairs Of The Whole: Why The National Party Is So Bad For New Zealand Capitalism.



An excellent read.  As always, Trotter gives a powerful critique of the state of politics in NZ

...of giving as we have received

As promised last time, I'm going to be putting up and pondering (briefly: whew, I hear some say!) thoughts from the bible that show God's heart for the poor.

Deuteronomy 26:6-9

“But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

The Bible reveals a God who reaches into the lives of the oppressed and looks to bring help to the hurting. When we hear the voice of the wounded crying out for help, we also hear God's heart crying for them. He brings wholeness for them; He calls us to do the same.

... of New Visions and New Directions

This coming month I'm starting a new series at Riccarton Baptist Church, called 'Give Me This Mountain'. It's about vision: why we need it; what ours at RBC is; Who our vision is centred on, and; therefore what we should be doing. We're going to look at one of these each week.

Preparing for this series has had me thinking. Our church community needs a vision, and I love the one we have. But each of us needs a vision as well. Jesus had one. The apostle Paul had one. Martin Luther; William Wilberforce; Nelson Mandela; Mother Theresa: they all had a vision that they lived - and were prepared to die - for.

So, I ask myself, what is my vision? What keeps me awake at night; rejoicing when I see it moving forward, and weeping when I see it stalling?

The advancement of the kingdom of heaven? Well, yes: I am passionate about that. But that's a really big vision: one the whole church is called to undertake. When I drill down deeper, what part of that do I sense is mine to serve? Wilberforce was involved in many things, but his driver in each was to challenge all forms of oppression.

I am no Wilberforce to be sure. But his 'calling' (for that is what he sensed it was) resonates with me. So this year I want to explore a new vision - or rather, the resurfacing of an old vision: this year I want to read and reflect on God's heart for the poor and the oppressed. A verse a week: and frankly it excites me just thinking about it.

Which is what true vision does.