Shared Leadership and Bataknese Culture: Its Prospects and Implementations

Abstract

Tensions between Bataknese cultural traditions and the beliefs of Adventist
church has often occurred among the members. Many researches has discussed
on various controversial Bataknese cultural practices, but less attention has been
given to Bataknese worldview on leadership and its impact to the West Indonesia
Union Mission at large. Bataknese leadership style and worldview is heavily
influenced by Dalihan na Tolu and the three philosophy of Batakway of life
(Hamoraon, Hagabeon, Hasangapon). This resulted in a competitive, centralized,
and hierarchical style of leadership. In contrast with this, leadership theorist has
developed the “shared leadership” system where responsibilities are distributed
equally among the ranks. The question at hand is whether this theory is
compatible with Bataknese culture. The purpose of this research was threefold,
first was to analyze shared leadership theory in the light of biblical understanding
and principles of leadership. Second, was to examine the compatibility of shared
leadership within Bataknese context and culture. Third, was to design an
implementation program. In conducting this study, the researcher utilized
documentary research as its methodology. Bible and books about shared
leadership and Bataknese culture were utilized as literary sources. Based on these
sources, the author concluded that biblical model of shared leadership is not
compatible with Bataknese cultural model of leadership.