Blue Like Jazz...the Movie

Surfing for something to watch last night I found "Blue Like Jazz" on Netflix.  I read the book six years ago, even wrote a blog about it (http://bluepassport.blogspot.com/2007/06/faith-like-jazz.html).  I was not disappointed, it was a great way to spend my evening.

My take-away was two-fold.  One, wishing that every Christian kid who goes to a secular university could see this film.  The pressures of being a "minority" in a secular world is enormous.  It takes courage to be a follower of Christ in an environment where all moral values are considered relative and faith collides with protenders of science.  

My second-take away was one of self-examinaiton.  Am I one of the hypocrites who are religious but not really committed to knowing more about Jesus.

Judge for yourself.  You will find this movie well done, good acting and not preachy.  Perhaps you, too, will discover that being a follower of Christ is not black and white, following a well defined score,  but it's more blue, like jazz.

Blog #501

Last week's entry was blog number 500.  I am not a proficient writer, but I keep blogging along.  My first entry was in September 2004.

I entitled that first entry "Lost Luggage" and wanted it to be my blogger site name, but it was already taken.  Click HERE and you will see that not much has changed in the past nine years.  

BluePassport, the color of my American document, has had nearly 42,000 visits and almost 63,000 page views.  Not a huge number, but enough to keep me jotting my thoughts down about missions.

By far, the most often read blog, still nearly 10 a week, is entitled Ethnocentrism in Business, or my Culture Biz blog site, though it was written back in 2006.  I think it must be required reading in some universities.

My thanks to those who faithfully follow my posts.  Maybe I will make it to #1,000 before blogging becomes totally obsolete.

Play It By Ear (And Other Idioms of Life)

“Can we change our supper plans” Ivan asked?  "I have a conflict of schedule for Monday and was hoping we might change it until Tuesday evening."

“Let’s play it by ear,” I replied.  “I return to the U.S. very early Wednesday morning and so I need to see how the day unfolds.”

“Play it by ear,” Ivan replied in his distinct Russian/European accent.  “What a lovely term.”  I didn't think much of my answer, but for Ivan, a professor of culture and music, he thought my reply was almost melodic. 

The idiom, “play it by ear,” is a common expression, at least for me, meaning to put off making a decision or making definite plans until the time arrives.  Rather than playing by notes, the formal way of playing any instrument, playing by ear means you adjust the sound of the music at the precise moment you are playing the piece.  Playing by ear seems to be a theme with me this week.

The discussion in the class yesterday was on worldview and fatalism.  Does God “have a wonderful plan for your life," a slogan many pastors use in their preaching, or is each day playing it by ear?  If everything is predetermined then this week planned by God has either been a big cosmic joke or a divine master plan that will be revealed sometime between time and eternity.  From my finite perspective I cannot reconcile a week of incompetence, of time and money wasted, to be a part of His great eternal narrative. 

I have always been conflicted between accepting God’s sovereignty over my life and my will to choose how life will be “played” out any particular moment.  Four months ago I chose to be here this week,  However, had I had all the proper information prior to buying my ticket, I would have chosen to stay at home.  And, though I know that His divine plan will not be thwarted by either incompetence or poor decision making, it seems as though there is another dynamic that is often left out of the discussion as it pertains to man’s daily activities…choice based on direction. 

Proverbs 16:9,  “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”  Each day we make our plans, we “play it by ear.”  Sometimes we make our plans with the best intentions and all the facts.  Other times, too many times perhaps, we make plans based on emotion or our own desires.  When we find ourselves in a pickle (another great idiom meaning lousy circumstance), we can analyze our decision based through reflection…am I here because of sound judgment or because of whim?  How can a well-intentioned decision, directed by God, turn out to be such a train wreck (meaning cataclysmic outcome)? 

In reality, each day we play life by ear.  A thousand decisions made within a span of 14 to 18 hours, we choose our words and actions, which have consequences for tomorrow and throughout eternity.  If we choose foolishly we have no one to blame but ourselves by its outcome.  If choice is made with eyes and ears open, listening for God’s directions for our steps, He will guide us.  However, in spite of stories like Joseph (who was sold as a slave by his brothers) I do not believe we must spiritualize every bad situation we find ourselves in as God's plan. Many times bad things happen to good people because of the improper actions and decisions of others.  Reflecting on my current dilemma, I would like to think that in the future I will be even more careful before I make my choices, by perhaps asking more questions (though in this particular case I did ask the right questions only to find out later the answers I received were not accurate).  No one has control over the incompetence or lack of ethical practices of others and so in reality none of us will be able to completely cover their bases (a baseball term meaning to make sure that all positions are guarded), but with added scrutiny perhaps the Lord's direction will be clearer.

So, Ivan, maybe we will enjoy a nice Thai meal together on Tuesday, or maybe not.  We will have to see how the day unfolds, whatever that means.

                                                                                   

How A Buddhist Becomes A Follower

Bhim’s uncle became a Christian because of a faithful witness of an Australian SIL worker in eastern Nepal.  On learning of his conversion this Buddhist family disowned the uncle and he was forbidden to remain living in their village.  After a period of time Bhim’s father would allow his brother to come into the village to visit, but only at night.  By morning the uncle had to be out of the village so that the family would not suffer.  It was on these night visits Bhim’s and his brother would listen to their uncle tell the Good News of Christ Jesus and His love for them and the salvation He provided at Calvary.  Both Bhrim and his brother became followers of Christ.

About the same time there was a Hindu girl, Kalpana, who through a friend was asked to attend a Christmas service.  Kalpana gave her life to Christ, though she was rejected by her family, even up-to-today.

Bhim and Kalpana met at a Bible college, fell in love and married.  Bhim and Kalpana now serve Christ in Kathmandu, starting several churches, a home for abandon children and a training center for pastors.

The story of how people come to know about Jesus is always fascinating.  Certainly through any outreach program God can use to bring people to Himself.  However, I have always believed that the most common way people come to Christ is through the network of family.  A faithful missionary, a courageous uncle, a friend to a Hindu girl is the path God often uses for His honor and glory.  Heaven will be an eternity of listening to the stories of grace.

Greetings: Learn the Rules

Did you know that one of the first things they teach new recruits in the Army is how to salute properly?   The first day I was in uniform, before they taught me how to march or shoot they taught me the proper way to address an officer.   What is it about leaders in business, politics and even celebrities that they don’t even know how to greet people?

The latest high profile offense was Bill Gates meeting the President Park of South Korea.  Slouched, with one hand in his pocket, the computer genius didn’t know how to show common courtesy or respect to the leader of his host country.  I guess if you’re one of the richest people in the world you feel like that humility is not what you display publicly but how much you give to charity your own charities. 

President Obama could use a few lesson on greetings as well.  Bowing is a sign of respect in Asian cultures, but bowing so low that you might skin your forehead is a bit much and inappropriate.

Teaching a business class in Russia several years back, I was illustrating the proper way to greet in Korea, right hand extended, left hand lightly touching your right arm.  In almost unison the class gasped, some yelling “no, no.”  Surprised I asked what was wrong at which time they told me I just made an obscene gesture.  Even a teacher in cross-cultural communication makes mistakes.

My definition of culture is, “The rules by which the game of life is played.”  Learn the rules and you can play the game…on their terms.  If a poor guy like me can make time to learn the rules on how to greet people, the rich and famous surely can hire someone to help them learn the rules before they stand on the world stage.

Crisis Taxi Driver

Our taxi driver in Hong Kong knows how to multi-task.  With 7 or 8 cell phones (probably left behind in his cab by his clients) our 30 minute commute was non-stop talking to callers.  There is no way a taxi driver could do this in Delhi.  In Hong Kong they have driving lanes.  Of course there are lanes in Delhi, but two lanes are usually occupied with four or five cars or motorcycles.

Another positive thing about traveling in Asia was the airports.  When we boarded our flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong there actually was a system where people boarded when they were suppose to (unlike Amsterdam or Nairobi).  We had a quick turn around in Seoul to catch the flight to Detroit.  The  airline staff came and moved me and three other guys to the front of the plane 10 minutes before we landed and then guided us through security, got us on the transfer train and walked us to the gate.  That's customer service!

Non- Crisis people solve a problem only when it becomes a problem.  Crisis people solve a problem before it becomes a problem.  What a wonderful experience to be a part of a crisis oriented culture for a while.

Survey Results: Missionary Training

Results of Missionary Training Survey

Over fifty people responded to this survey.  The percentage of those who participated was 50% from missionaries, 49.6% from pastors.  However, I did not include the question on their status until after a third of people responded so I am guessing that it may lean slightly more toward pastors response.  Others who answered survey were church members or those who work for a mission agency.  Thanks for your participation.

1.    How important do you believe pre-field missionary training is?

Very important – 94%

Somewhat important – 3.9%

Not important – 2%

2.    Do you believe that Bible College/Seminary education is enough for cross-cultural missionaries?

Yes – 3.9%

No – 96.1%

3.    Rank the training you believe is important.

(1)   Spiritual formation – 66.7%

Cross-cultural studies – 49%

Language acquisition – 44%

Specific religious studies – 22%

(2)   Specific religious studies – 30%

Cross-cultural studies – 27.5%

Language acquisition – 20%

Spiritual formation – 15.7%

(3)   Other suggestions for training:

- I'd add location relevant/contextualized vocational/professional training.- 
- Finance
-Effective training on the field of choice.
- Interpersonal/problem solving skills with other missionaries.
- Missionaries are trained in tandem - both spouses together along with missionary teams.- Study of the book, "When Helping Hurts.’
- Working with adult ministries before going to the field.
- Cross-cultural leadership development: Leadership models, tools, strategies, & etc. Internships should be done in a cross cultural setting.
- How to raise support.
- Practical - eg: Auto repair.
- Ethics and some foundational business principles.
- Training in a profession for admission to a country where missionaries as such are not allowed, i.e. medical, dental, or nursing.
- Common sense.

5.    How would you support missionary training?

(a)   Mandate that all missionaries we support go through training. 54.2%

(b)   Help finance training for missionaries we support. 66.7%

(c)   Nothing beyond encouragement for training. 8.3%

6.    How long do you think a concentrated missionary training should be?

(a)   1 to 2 weeks. – 27%

(b)   2 to 3 weeks. – 24.3%

(c)   3 to 4 weeks. – 48.6%

Additional comments:

* 6 months

* How can you possibly train someone for a foreign culture in 4 weeks. At least 3 months with a year on the field;

*1year; At least 3 to 4 weeks. If this person or group plans to be involved longer than a short term missions trip, they should be required to go through 8-12 weeks of rigorous training.

* Less time for furlough missionaries but a week would be good;

* Depends on the goals and content of the material. There are already plenty of training opportunities in the USA. Why create another wheel?

7.    Who should this cross-cultural training be for? (ranked)

(a)   People who are interested in missions but not yet appointed. 48.1%

(b)   Appointed/Approved missionaries raising support. – 90.4%

(c)   Furlough missionaries.  – 53.8%

(d)   Pastors – 48.1%

(e)   Mission committee members. – 50%

Additional comments:

* Pastors for in house training only. Not "on the field" training.

* I think everyone connected to missions can benefit. Realistically, missionaries are the priority, others less so.

 * Entire churches in North America;

Survey On Missionary Training

Visiting with a veteran missionary recently, the discussion turned to missionary training.  He asked me why I didn’t do more training with N. Americans.  My answer was that I didn’t believe there was a “market” for cross-cultural training.  Neither sending churches, pastors or missionaries are interested in training, I argued.  They might believe it would be helpful, but not necessarily support training.  He disagreed.  So, I thought I would put out this survey.  It’s completely anonymous so, if you’re so inclined, help me out.  Is my friend right, that there is a need for N. Am. pre-field missionary training or not?

I will post the results later.

Click here to take survey

Nagas in Nagaland

Are Nagas Indians?  Yes and no.  Yes, Nagas are citizens of India.  They carry an Indian passport, have representation in the Indian government like all states of India and therefore, politically, Nagas are Indians.   However, ethnically, religiously, geographically people who live in Nagaland are not Indians, and they will be the first to tell you.

Over the twenty years I have visited India I have met many students from the “northeast.”  When Britain relinquished their colonial reign of India in 1948, the British drew the boundary map between what is now Pakistan, India and Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan).  In the process they ceded Kashmir as a state of India (which remains in dispute with Pakistan) as well as the northeast states of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.  As you can see by the map, the northeast is closer to Myanmar (Burma) and China than it is to mainline India.   The Naga people are spread throughout Nagaland, Manipur and Burma.  Ethnically they are Mongoloid, not Indo-Aryan or Dravidian, which make up the majority population of India.  Unlike India, the people of the northeast are not divided by a caste system but rather by tribes.  The Nagas have 23 tribes and many clans and sub clans.

Nagas are about 95% Christian, mostly Baptists.  It was the American Baptist missionaries in the 1800’s who first evangelized the headhunting people of the mountains.  Nagas are not Hindus, like the majority of Indians, and they have no dietary restrictions (Nagas are very fond of pork and their food is even hotter and spicier than India).   

It's estimated that about 3,000 people groups in the world have never heard the Good News of Christ and His salvation through the work of a missionary.  In my recent visit to Nagaland I encouraged my Christian Naga brothers and sisters to take up the challenge of reaching their nation, India, as well as other surrounding countries, with the Gospel.  Like my former home, Kenya, I’m not sure Nagaland needs another Baptist Church.  He has blessed Nagaland with the Gospel for over 100 years.  God, in His sovereignty, has allowed Nagas to be a part of the great country of India.  Though the people of the northeast would like to be autonomous, it is no doubt God’s plan that they might be salt and light to a dark and sad world.  I believe the Christians of Nagaland have the potential to be a strong missionary force throughout the world.

NEW MISSION BOOK FROM LCCTI

New Mission Book From LCCTI  It's Tuesday.  Now What Do I Do? It doesn't have to be a mystery. "I need some help," a missionary wrote. "I bought into the vision of saturation church planting, the Great Commission and taking the Gospel to unreached people groups. I joined a mission sending agency, raised support, and now that I've been in this country three months, I'm stuck. I don't know how to get started.  It's Tuesday; what am I supposed to do today?" "If you don't know where you're going, you might end up somewhere else."  Yoggi Berra   From my notes in teaching missionaries in over 40 countries, Tuesday is the first and best step in missionary preparation. Mission committees  and churches should purchase this book; mission schools and training programs would do well to make this a part of their library.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TUESDAY

Each page of this book contains enlivening pearls of wisdom and practical messages.  The author's passion and knowledge of miss work and missionaries are reeled and sustained throughout the reading. What makes this book unique is the author's inclusion of insightful examples readers can apply when adapting to a foreign country, such as: making friends, remaining aware of surroundings and networking.  Included in this book is a chapter on things NOT to do in ministry.  Anyone interested in serving in missions will find this book a valuable guide in knowing where to start when working overseas.

Go To This Link 

Order Today   

A complimentary copy of Tuesday has been sent to monthly partners of LCCTI.   We hope that those who receive these books will want to purchase a copy for their missionary friends.

Send order to: LCCTI, PO Box 6900, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 or go to our website: Lewis-Training.com  (please add additional postage for bulk orders).

Lost Luggage and the Jonah Effect

This past week has been a traveler’s nightmare.  I left my home eight days ago.  While the sun was shining in Arkansas, a squall of thunderstorms descended on Atlanta.  Anytime there is foul weather at an airline hub, like DFW, ORD or ATL, there is a domino effect.  By the time I reached ATL my connecting flight to Amsterdam was long gone.  Delta put me up for the night, gave me meal vouchers and assured me that the dawning of a new day would find me happily in route to my final destination. 

How does the old joke go?  A man goes to the ticket counter and says to the agent, “I’d like to go to Detroit, please, but I want my bags to go to Boston.”  “We can’t do that sir,” replied the airline person, at which time the passenger remarked, “You did last week.”

While I was sleeping in the Marriot, courtesy of Delta, my bags were on a British Airways flight to London.  When I arrived in Delhi on Air France, my bag had yet to leave the U.K.  Eight days later I still don’t have my bag. 

There’s something disconcerting about not having your “stuff” with you.  I’ve had to buy a toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, underwear, socks, a pair of jeans and a couple of shirts (that don’t fit well because the people I am teaching are much smaller than me).  I had packed some movies to watch to help pass the lonely nights, and some books I wanted to read.  This has been a discouraging week. 

It dawned on me that my discomfort is certainly not like the Apostle Paul, who endured shipwreck, beatings and being thrown in jail.  No, my situation is much like Jonah.  You know the story.  After Jonah preached God’s message to the people of Nineveh, he sulked.  He was upset that God had mercy so he sat under a large plant outside of the city.  God sent a worm to chew on the plant and it died exposing Jonah to the elements with no shade.  Jonah continued to grumble, about God’s mercy and his uncomfortable situation.

A lost bag is an inconvenience and nothing more.  My hosts are very generous, making sure I have plenty to eat.  My room is comfortable and quiet.  I even have hot water for a shower, which is more than I had three weeks ago in the Congo.  My prayer to the Lord is that somehow Delta or Air France will forward my bags to me, but that doesn’t seem likely as I am in a remote part of the country.  I don’t want to be a Jonah about this inconvenience.  Let me praise Him whether I have an extra sweater or not.  I’d like to think I would be a Paul about this state of affairs that I am in, content whether exalted or abased.  God deliver me, however, from being a Jonah.

Resolutions

As the clock neared midnight December 31^st, a guy posted on Facebook,  “I need to lose twenty-five pounds in the next ten minutes.”  Obviously he will have to rollover his 2012 resolutions into 2013. 

If you are like me, everyday is New Year’s Day.  Every morning I wake telling myself that I’m not going to eat as much today, need to exercise in the afternoon, read more, pray more.  Some days are good, others are a complete catastrophe, but, like Groundhog Day, I wake up the next morning with the same thoughts.  Need to pray better today, need to read my Bible, need to avoid food.   But how does one succeed with desired goals, resolved to improve mentally, spiritually and physically? 

Last week my eighty-eight year old mom was involved in a freak accident.  She got knocked down and run over by a car that was suppose to be in park.  Somehow the vehicle began to slowly roll down an incline and in the end my mom received a thirteen-inch gash on her right leg, multiple lacerations, a fractured finger and bruised from top to bottom.  After three days in the hospital, my brothers and myself have been taking turns spending the night at her house caring for her. 

Watching a football game at her house I heard mom talking in the other room.  I put the TV on mute and listened.  Mom was praying.  I eavesdropped for a while, listening to her pray, by name, for her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.  The next morning sitting in her chair before she woke up I picked up her Bible and read some of the scripture verses she had marked.  Later that afternoon she gave me a check to deposit for a mission cause she supports and I saw, from her shaky hand, another check she had written for the Billy Graham Association.  Though mom is unable to go to church these days, she still maintains giving her “tithe.”

It dawned on me this week that the way one fulfills their resolutions day-after-day, year-after-year, is to pay attention to the fundamentals.  My mom does not have an exciting life.  Some would even consider it boring.  She does not have a public ministry.  She is bound to her house, only able to get out if someone picks her up and takes her out.  Yet, my mom has learned the success of life, by paying attention to the fundamentals of life; prayer, Bible study and giving to God what meager things she has. 

Oswald Chambers writes in My Utmost for His Highest, “All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to accomplish them.”   The only way anyone can have a fulfilled life is in Christ.  It is not our intentions that matter, but, like my mom, pay attention to the fundamentals each day.

Parent or BFF?

 Are you a parent or your child’s best friend forever? 

Visiting with Dennis Henderson this past week, pastor of the Sherman Bible Church, he showed me a video clip presentation from one of their services.  It’s about how that in the spiritual development of kids it is a partnership between the parents and the local church.   “Some parents expect the church to mold their kids spiritually," he said.  “They hope, that through our youth group activities, we will teach them values, but they don’t play their part as parents.  We believe the church has a role in teaching kids scriptural principles, but the greater part of spiritual development belongs in the home.  Kids need direction from their mom and dad, not a program in the church.”

Parenting is a challenging dance.  On the one hand, there are some parents who try to dictate good behavior and values into their kids.  With a strong grip, they are on their children’s case for everything, including church attendance, their friends and their choice of music.  On the flip side, some parents just want to be their kids to see them as their BFF, allowing them to make their own choices and having little input in spiritual matters.  Dennis said that some of the most destructive parents are those he calls children centered parents.  These are the ones whose whole life revolves around their kids.  My immediate thought went to a mother I met in California some years back.  We could hardly carry on a conversation with her because she was constantly calling or texting her kids.  She was so obsessed with her children she wanted to know what they were doing at all times.  Another mother I knew was so protective of her daughter that she made excuses when she became pregnant before marriage.  Today that daughter and son-in-law (God help him), live less than a mile from the mother’s house, as her life is child centered.  I have often wondered if anything happens to those kids how these mother’s would respond.  Would they be bitter against the God who gave them their children?

One of the best definitions of love I have ever heard is, “Love is meeting the needs of another.”  Meeting someone’s need, either as a spouse or parent, is neither ruling with an iron hand nor having an open hand providing everything for that husband/wife or children.   Both extremes are a sign of insecurity.  For the person who must control the family it is a sign that they are insecure in their authority as a parent.  For the indulgent, it is an indicator that they crave approval.

I asked Dennis if I could post this clip, as it is a good reminder that the best parent is one who gives intentional guidance to their children.  Parenting sometimes requires firmness, but always in love.  It is a reminder that the main role of a parent is being a parent, not being their BFF.

Team Time

My current writing project, It’s Tuesday.  Now What Do I Do? is a guide for first term missionaries.   Often new missionaries are not really sure how to get into culture and begin ministry when they arrive on the field.   Tuesday gives tips on what people can do their first year overseas.  In one chapter I discuss what NOT to do.  One thing I suggest a missionaries not do is spend all their time with people from their own culture.   An expatriate who is always with people of their own culture will have a hard time learning language and making friends with people of the host culture.   I am not suggesting they never visit people from their own country, but moderation and discipline needs to be applied if the missionary hopes to adjust to their new surroundings.

One trap missionaries get into that keeps them from getting into culture is team activities.  “Teams” are a popular concept in missions today.  Some organizations spend a great deal of effort in putting teams together believing that a team is more effective in ministry than individual effort.   Jesus had his disciples, Paul had his Barnabas, Silas, Luke and Timothy.   No one person has all the gifts for ministry and there is wisdom in developing teams to maximize efforts on the field.  I have observed, however, that sometimes team activities are so numerous that there is little time left for actually doing the work.   Because learning language is a chore and making friends with people who are not like you is challenging, it’s pretty easy for some people to just hang around the team, in fact team becomes THE ministry.  There are team meetings, team retreats, team prayer time and team dinners.  To have good teams there are team leaders, regional team directors and even team pastors. 

Adapting to new surroundings and adjusting to a new culture is not an easy task.  The enculturation process is hampered if we spend too much time with our colleagues.  The team should be in place for support in ministry.  Team activity can too easily become just busy work that keeps us from actually doing ministry.

Banana Missions Versus Mango Missions

 The “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18ff) is often referred to as the Missio Dei (Mission of God).   For over 200 years the church, principally from the West, has been a faithful instrument of Missio Dei primarily through, another good Latin phrase, missio ad gentes (mission to the nations).  If it were not for the focus on missio ad gentes countries like Korea, Philippines, much of Latin America and most of sub-saharan Africa would no doubt not have the Christian influence it has today.  In many parts of the world mission to the nations is still important, but increasingly, as the Christian population shift moves from north to the majority south, the emphasis of the Great Commission is missio inter gentes, missions among the nations.

I was reminded of the importance of missio inter gentes this past month working with my good friends at TENT India (http://TENTIndia.org).  I have been partnering with this non-formal program for eight years.  This past month I met a group of Meitei Christians from Manipur.  Though the Gospel has had success among the tribal people in Manipur, the Meitie are the majority population of 1.4 million people.  Only 0.21% of the Meitie claim to be followers of Christ, the majority are Hindus.  As I visited with ten couples at TENT they told me that they believed that there were not more than 15,000 Christians among the Meitie. 

As I listened to the marvelous stories of their conversions, as each one of them are first generation Christians, I was blessed to know that one of my students is now a key leader among the Meitie.  Of course I know that my role in this people movement is extremely small, the faithfulness of this brother as well as the training and support he has received from others far outweighs my contribution.  However the Meitie story is a reinforcement of missio inter gentes.  In restricted access countries like India, China, Bhutan, Laos the old paradigm of missio ad gentes is not viable.  Training nationals to serve among their nation, their ethnic people group really is the future of Missio Dei. 

The contrast of these two approaches, “to” versus “among” is what one has described as the “banana missionary” to that of the “mango missionary.”  The banana is yellow outside but white inside, whereas the mango is yellow both inside and out.  Not sure of the comparative fruit that can be applied to India, the Nuba of South Sudan or to the Mari people of Russia, but the implications are the same.  The role of today’s western missionary is to equip the nationals for ministry among their nation.  Not to start a church.  Not just to equip them for pastoral ministry, but how to take the message of Christ cross-culturally that the Mission Dei is accomplished.

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.”