Thursday, September 27, 2012

Paternalism, Authoritarianism in Search of Servant Leadership


Observations From An Outsider


I recently had the privilege to be a part of the Global Alumni Reunion of SAIACS (South Asian Institute For Advanced Christian Studies).  I am not an alumnus of this institution nor was I an invited guest, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, teaching a module in cultural anthropology.  Since this was my eighth year teaching at SAIACS so I of course came in contact with many former students and enjoyed hearing the stories and history of the thirty years of this school.

For the most part the two-half day meeting was a love fest for Dr. and Mrs. Graham Houghton who established SAIACS in 1982.  It is natural and fitting on such occasions that the founder’s be honored.  Without pioneers there are no legacies.  My sense is that Graham did not have a vision thirty years ago for what SAIACS is today. He and Carol merely set out to develop a quality post-graduate program and through their perceived interpretation of “excellence” did indeed create a unique environment for theological and missiological scholarship in India.  Many of the SAIACS graduates have gone on to be leaders of denominational and mission organizations.  SAIACS alumni can be found teaching in many colleges and seminaries throughout the sub-continent. 

Critics will invariably point to the paternalistic and imperialistic flavor of SAIACS.  Established and directed for over twenty years by a New Zealander and initially funded by Western support, the criticism may have some validity.  However, because I have been visiting India since 1992, I have been exposed to many institutions run by nationals and have a better than average understanding on how things work.  I have met more than a few Indian run institutions that also are funded by the West.  To me, it is never how it is funded or even how much, but the stewardship of resources.  I have been with nationals who have used their resources, however acquired, with integrity and honor.  Like SAIACS, those institutions and programs breathe a Christ-like quality that rings true because there is no underlying feeling that Ananias and Sapphira have held back a portion for themselves. 

Leadership is less about skin color than style.  As an anthropologists and an outsider of SAIACS I am intrigued by style.  No matter what they say, the Westerner, be they British, American, Dutch or New Zealander will invariably be accused of paternalism, as it is the “ace in the hole” for nationalist critics.  I have seen paternalism at its worse in Africa and I can attest that it is alive and well even today.  Did SAIACS suffer under this ancient disease, which has it roots in imperialistic expansionism of three hundred years ago?  Certainly, but only in style, not in the classic form, not always that “whitie” knows best.  A far more common indigenous leadership style in this country is authoritarianism, where the pastor, bishop, president or principal rules with unequivocal and uncontested power.  Both paternalism and authoritarianism is a form of leadership, both unacceptably flawed and not the model that Christ set for His followers (Mark 10:42-45). 

Paternalism and authoritarianism are countered through egalitarianism.  In SAIACS, as well as other institutions of quality I have visited, the community meal is the icon that runs countercultural to a society that is imbued with pretention, caste status, wealth and privilege.   When the cleaning staff, faculty and students all sit at the same table eating the same food it is a powerful ritual symbol of equality.  Conversely an equally powerful is the institution where the staff, faculty and students are separated and do not eat together and the food is of different quality.  The community meal does not wash away all sins, but at least it is an attempt in breaking down paternalism or authoritarianism. 


As an outsider of SAIACS, with no vested interest apart from contributing to the over all quality of its program, the alumni have a right to feel proud, in both their history as well as their future.  The present leadership has done well in building on a foundation that was well laid; insuring, if they remain faithful to its core principles that SAIACS will continue to contribute in advancing the Kingdom in this needed area of the world.  In the end, as we were reminded throughout the weekend, “To God be the glory.”