a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

experience, and thus their theology. Emphasis is given to missiology, as this is the
focus of the participants themselves, and also the focus of the present study. Most
early Pentecostal missionaries from south India had a classical Pentecostal
background when they first arrived in Rajasthan. Therefore, the influence of
classical Pentecostalism on Rajasthan’s Pentecostal theology is clear, even though
changes have taken place over time.
3.4.1. Spirituality
For Pentecostals, spirituality and theology are inseparable. Steven Land describes
Pentecostal spirituality as theology. 88 Pentecostal spirituality in Rajasthan can be
characterized by its emphasis on prayer, praise, healing and other miracles, and
witness. Prayer is one of the most distinctive features of Pentecostal experience in
Rajasthan. Land argues that ‘prayer- individual and corporate, human and
“angelic”, with sighs and groans, praise and petition- is at the heart’ of Pentecostal
spirituality. 89 Pentecostals in Rajasthan spend extensive periods in prayer. There is
a heavy emphasis on prayer in the Bible schools, 90 pastors’ meetings and in
ordinary prayer meetings. Having lived on the FBC campus for more than ten
years, one of the most repeated phrases I heard in its chapel is ‘more prayer, more
power, less prayer, less power.’ Those who spend most hours in prayer are
considered the most powerful ministers. It is interesting that FBC now has a
special award for prayer and evangelism. This was partly a response to the
88
For a discussion, see Steven J. Land, Pentecostal Spirituality: A Passion for the Kingdom
(Sheffield: SAP, 1993), 15-57.
89
Land, Pentecostal Spirituality, 35.
90
For example, the daily schedule of FBC includes four separate sections such as morning
devotion (5.45 am – 6.15 am), chapel service (10.20 am – 11.00 am), evening devotion (6.15 pm –
6.45 pm) and family prayer (9.45 pm – 10.00 pm). There are other separate time for prayer like
fasting prayer (every Friday night 7.00 – 10.00) and whole night prayer (first Friday night of every
month).
136