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.”
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