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

the FBC prospectus regarding the programmes offered by the college clearly
reveals the importance of church planting. 123 Finny Philip, the present principal of
FBC, while evaluating the work of Thomas Mathews, argues that Mathews was
consolidating the already-begun north Indian revival into a ‘vibrant Pentecostal
church planting movement.’ Finny refers to it as one of the ‘radical revolutions
brought to north Indian Pentecostalism by Mathews.’ 124 ‘Church Planting is
mission’ was one of the basic mission concepts of Mathews, and this emphasis by
Mathews is one of the chief reasons for the remarkable growth of FFCI. 125
However, they are also involved in social missions, like running schools, medical
camps, education aids for children and providing winter clothing.
Another important aspect of Pentecostal mission is that many churches have
turned themselves into missionary organizations over the course of time. There
are many Pentecostal pastors who began with no other vision except to form a
congregation but later established many congregations, and became missionary
organizations. There are at least five leaders who have revealed this fact. Four of
these five said that they have expanded their vision under the guidance of the
Spirit. While two of them said that they had a prophetic utterance to do so, one of
them said he had a dream by the Spirit to enlarge his vision, and the other said that
he had a direct voice of the Spirit to expand his ministry.
123 For further details, see Prospectus 2006, 12. For example, the aim of the Diploma in Theology
programme is to ‘prepare the students for pioneer church planting ministry.’
124 Philip, ‘Thomas Mathews Revolution.’
125 For more details on Mathew’s church planting mission, see Lukose, ‘Thomas Mathews,’ 24-27.
148