Rev Julie Guest
I clearly remember the local body elections from my childhood. Then, candidates attended many public meetings to present their message.
Rev Julie Guest
We lived next to a field – perfect for the purpose of gathering a bunch of neighbours. The candidates literally stood on a box to be seen, and some even had an old-fashioned megaphone so those at the back could (sort of) hear. What I most remember was the intensity of the questions and answers. There were strong feelings, both from the questioning public and the candidates with their differing opinions. There was vigorous debate. And that is a key word. Debate.
People listened to each other and responded, as opposed to simply defending their established views and working to shut down other opinions. There existed the possibility of learning from each other – and ultimately a better result for all eventuating.
As Te Awamutu residents prepare to vote in 2025, with seven candidates competing for three Waipā District Council seats and six vying for four community board positions, we rarely witness such authentic public discourse.
James 1:19 instructs us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Those childhood election meetings demonstrated this beautifully. Neighbours genuinely listened before responding, allowing space for minds to change and perspectives to evolve. Contrast this with contemporary political discourse, where positions of both voters and candidates are often predetermined and immoveable, regardless of information presented.
The soapbox democracy of the past also reflected Christ’s teaching about accessibility. When candidates stood on boxes in community fields, they made themselves vulnerable and approachable. There was no barrier between leader and led, no exclusive venue. This mirrors Jesus’ own ministry style – teaching in accessible places where ordinary people could freely approach and question.
Today’s more professional campaign methods, while reaching broader audiences, risk creating distance between candidates and constituents. Social media algorithms can create those well feared rabbit holes, limiting exposure to challenging viewpoints. The personal accountability of facing neighbours directly has diminished.
However, neither should we romanticise the past or dismiss present realities. Modern communication methods enable greater participation for those who cannot get to a face to face meeting.
As Christians engaging with local democracy, we can advocate for genuine dialogue. We can model Christlike engagement by asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully to responses, demonstrating that political discussion need not always be adversarial.
First Timothy 2:1-2 calls us to pray for those in authority. Perhaps we should also pray for the restoration of civil, in-depth political debate – the kind that transforms communities.
There are also those who do not engage in local body elections. Perhaps they believe that their vote will make no difference. But being a thoughtful voter involves more than ticking the box. It is a way of being informed about what matters in Te Awamutu not just for yourself, but your fellow citizens.
Voting is a privilege thousands of other people around the world will never have – so use your privilege.
