The courage of the Waipu settlers and the leadership of Presbyterian minister, the Rev Norman McLeod, has been folklore in our home for as long as I can remember (page 8 and 9). My mother treasured her Scottish heritage, which she traced through the settlers at Waipu. In later years she made the annual pilgrimage to visit relatives and attend the Waipu Highland Games (page 3).

But for her it was not just a social event. Somehow the social conscience and natural leadership of McLeod, together with the evangelical fervour that epitomised his preaching, still resonates in the hearts of his descendants. His concern at the treatment of ordinary people who were driven out of their homes and the passion for the Church to be faithful to its message set him at odds with the political, business and church leaders of his day, resulting in his migrating first to Nova Scotia, to Australia and then New Zealand. It is astounding that today, 136 years after his death, his inspiration and vision is still remembered. Not only does the Presbyterian Church at Waipu still stand as silent testimony to his faith, but the inspiration lived on in descendants like my mother.

Today the concerns that motivated McLeod still persist. The effects of corporate dominance, the rights of individuals, decisions dominated by financial outcomes, the simplicity and clarity of the Christian message and the importance of the family are recurring themes. As we look further afield, blatant inhumanity to man, the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots and the impact of natural disasters around the world leave us gasping for air. We ask how we should respond.

Instead of immigrating there is the suggestion that we should return to the days of the early Church. The days when the church grew and impacted society. But on a closer read we find that they faced the same issues.

To return to the days of the early Church our faith needs to be defined. The faith we profess is of paramount importance. Our understanding is that Jesus is the Son of God and without him we are lost. It was declaring this truth that cost Jesus his life, that motivated Saul to hound Christians, that so infuriated the religious leaders of the day that they stoned Stephen to death, which resulted in Christians being driven out of Jerusalem — something God used to evangelise the then-known world.

Of course we want the power of God demonstrated, thousands turning to follow Jesus, a Church that impacts society. But for this to happen, are we prepared to acknowledge Jesus Christ, if it means that we too, are treated with disdain?