Public Engagement

Dear Pastors

In many ways I am reluctant to write this blog as the last thing you probably need is a suggestion of yet another thing to do in an already overcrowded schedule. Net Result, you dismiss it. And truth be told I get it. That’s exactly what I did for quite some time. And it wasn’t because my schedule was too full it was because my brain was too full. As a Pastor at any one time we are dealing with a lot of stuff……a lot. And I get that too. However, some of you might want to engage in a public issue or two. They are not as time demanding as you may think as more often than not others have done the hard graft for us. Here are four suggestions.

Local Elections

The local elections are when we decide who represents us on our councils and health boards. The elections will be held by a postal vote in October this year.

The elections are for city and district councils, regional councils and District Health Boards. In some parts of New Zealand, elections will also be held for local and community boards, licensing trusts and some other organisations.

• Be sure to vote. Double check you are enrolled to vote here.
• You may wish to stand for office¹. See here.
• Why not convene a ‘meet the Mayoral Candidates or Councillor Candidates’ meeting? I am convening one for the Hamilton Mayoral Candidates on Wednesday 28th August².

Abortion

There is a massive movement afoot right now to liberalise the Abortion laws (meaning to decriminalise Abortion including late term babies). You may wish to spend an hour or so reading and getting up to speed on this issue. A good place to start is here.

Big Tobacco – Marijuana

I heard Ben Cort³ deliver a superb talk on this subject recently. I’ve done some reading and familiarised myself with the debate and concluded that recreational use of today’s variety of marijuana is extremely harmful and therefore should NOT be legalised under any circumstances. Most NZer’s agree.

“ In the most recent poll, less than 20% (one in five) New Zealanders support legalisation of marijuana, but there is strong support for lifting restrictions for medical use (65%). The polling also found that 85% think that cannabis use can damage the brains of young people under the age of 25, 81% think that drivers using cannabis are more likely to cause accidents, 63% think that cannabis users aged under 25 are less likely to get a job (only 20% think it makes no difference) and half of NZers think that cannabis usage will increase if restrictions are reduced, 35% think usage would remain the same and 6% decrease⁴”.

Euthanasia.

TV1 Sunday programme last Sunday showed a moving and compelling story about Claire Freeman who at age 17 was confined to a wheel chair after a devastating car accident. She wanted to end her life and had made her plan. Then things changed. You can watch this 15 minute story here.

Blessings

Alan

¹ I have been a Community Board Member in Raglan (Waikato District Council) for three terms and standing again this year. I am more than happy to share my experience with you. Phone 021 562743

² Again, please be in touch if you are interested.

³ Ben Cort

⁴ Source

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.