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

there are changes in the outline of courses. There are even missionary training
institutes, who have included vocational training in their programmes. 129
There was a time when Pentecostals in the state were opposed to Christian
involvement in politics. Participation in politics by members was prohibited, and
politicians were not welcomed. However, there has been an increase in the
number of politicians among Pentecostals. Cherian’s study reveals that there are
Pentecostals serving in various capacities, such as Taluk pradhan (chief of a
Taluk), sarpanch (chief of a village), gram sachiv (member of a village council)
and ward panchs (chief of a ward in a village). Some of them have also been
actively involved in church planting ministry and have established their own
congregations. 130 In fact there are a few pastors who are actively involved in
politics today. At least one minister, Manohardas, 131 who was a fulltime pastor of
a local Pentecostal church until recently, has even left his fulltime pastoral work
to fully engage in the socio-political welfare of the community due to the change
in context. According to him, because there was nobody to hear their problems,
the Spirit gave him the wisdom that they needed their own people to represent
them in the influential circles of society. 132 Moreover, a few Pentecostal leaders
are actively involved in Human Rights activities, as will be discussed in chapter
five. Pastors and believers are encouraged to be members of the Tribal Christian
Associations and show their solidarity and act in unison in times of need for the
protection of rights and from exploitation by various political parties.
129
For example, both FBC and Rajasthan Bible Training Centre have training in tailoring for
ladies.
130
Cherian, ‘Pentecostal Revival,’ 39.
131
Pseudonym.
132
Manohardas, interview by author, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 24 May 2006.
151