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

Pentecostal originals,’ and that is why he has the impression that Pentecostals are
practising ‘an American Pentecostal way of spiritual life.’ 9 This influence has
probably been the reason why some key south Indian Pentecostal leaders in
Rajasthan prefer to use the Scofield Study Bible. 10 Most of them were ardent
proponents of dispensationalism, and this is well illustrated in the works on the
Book of Revelation and Eschatology by Thomas Mathews. 11 However, there are
progressive changes taking place with regard to the theology and practice of
Pentecostals in Rajasthan, as discussed in chapter three.
Most organizations are headed up by south Indians. Out of the twelve major
Pentecostal organizations in the state, ten of them have south Indians as their main
leader. The other two organizations have their senior leaders from Rajasthan.
However, these local leaders were once part of another organization which was
led by south Indians. Nine of these ten organizations have leaders from Kerala,
and most of their key positions are held by south Indians. The poor socio-
economic status of Pentecostals is regarded by many leaders as responsible for the
scarcity of able, local leadership. Many south Indian leaders said that they do not
have local people available who have the potential to take over the top levels of
church leadership. 12 The senior leadership of FFCI, the largest Pentecostal
denomination in the state, is an indication of this. FFCI made some changes in
9 Michael Bergunder, ‘Constructing Pentecostalism: On Issues of Methodology and
Representation,’ JEPTA 26, no.2 (2007): 55-73.
10 When I came to Rajasthan as a missionary I was encouraged by some leaders in the state to use
the Scofield Study Bible, and I did so for many years.
11 Mathews, Revelation Simplified; Mathews, Bhavishyavani Ki Ruprekha.
12 It is interesting to note that the same kind of paternalism was found in western missionary
leaders in many places. However, it is important to note that many local pastors also failed to
develop the next generation to leadership positions even in their local churches.
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