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

One of the most significant features of the missiology of Pentecostals in Rajasthan
seems to be a progressive missiology, and this observation of both their mission
theory and practice reveals this progressive nature as well as the Spirit dimension.
The following discussion focuses on three major aspects to enable an
understanding of the changing nature of their mission. Firstly, changes can be
seen in their mission focus. The vision statement of most churches contains the
phrase ‘to reach the unreached in the villages.’ However, very recently,
Pentecostals began to think about focusing on the non-tribal and the non-rural as
well. Such a shift in focus is seen in many organizations. For example, as
mentioned earlier, the IPCoG, one of the largest indigenous Pentecostal
denominations in India, began to focus on the rural areas in Rajasthan only in
recent years. FFCI, the leading Pentecostal church in Rajasthan, has recently
revised its vision statement. The earlier statement declares that FFCI aims to be a
leading indigenous Church to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and to establish village churches in north India. However, the changes in the
revised statement are notable: ‘FFCI aims to be a leading indigenous organization
to reach the unreached with the love and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and
to establish worshipping, witnessing and caring communities in both the urban
and rural regions of India.’ 126
Initially emphasis was placed on evangelism and church planting, and little room
was given to social mission. People who showed an interest in the establishment
of schools were accused of being backsliders. K.O. Varghese, the current general
126 Native Missionary Movement, ‘SWOT Analysis of NMM’ (Udaipur, India: NMM), 1.
149