There’s an old joke in this part of the world that dates back to the time of Mayor Sir Dove-Myer Robinson: “Don’t bother moving to Auckland, Auckland is moving to you.”

This trueism couldn’t be more apparent than where Fran and I live, Beachlands, a small seaside settlement about 20 minutes east of urban Auckland. Except that we may not be on the fringes for too much longer.

New subdivisions are springing up everywhere. People are moving here in droves. And now supermarket developer, Progressive Enterprises Ltd, has bought a chunk of land and plans to build a Countdown supermarket and various retail shops.

This has led to lots of residents wringing their hands and proclaiming that this is the beginning of the end for a settlement known for its laid-back lifestyle and close sense of community. Others, however, think it would be nice to have a supermarket and not have to drive to Howick, and that more people means more support for local clubs and so on.

The result of these types of issues is letters to the editors, placards and signs, petitions and arguments. Inevitably, feelings run high, tempers get frayed, things start to get personal and the community turns on itself.

Our situation is not unique. It happens in communities across New Zealand when they are faced with major change. And the smaller the community, the more vocal it is likely to be when it comes to resisting or supporting change.

It begs the question: What role does the local church have to play?

Churches don’t mind engaging in wider debates. They are willing, for instance, to voice their view on smacking legislation or legalising prostitution. Or they may be willing to hold a Meet the Candidates meeting during election campaigns.

But generally they tend to shy away from the more local and passionate controversies. This is hardly surprising because church members themselves are probably divided. I haven’t polled Beachlands Baptist Church on the merits of a new supermarket, but if I did I suspect I would get a range of views.

However, churchgoers do have an individual role to play – by focusing not so much on the WHAT to debate, but on the HOW.

It is a great opportunity to witness to the community by showing the Christ-like way in which to express a strongly held point of view. Stick to the issue. Don’t use words carelessly. By all means challenge views and opinions, but don’t attack the person or that person’s integrity. Keep a sense of perspective – a supermarket may be annoying but it’s not going to affect our eternal destiny. Be firm, but conciliatory. Show respect.

Come to think of it, there are a few letter writers to the NZ Baptist who could also take note!

– Duncan Pardon