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

definitely remains a tension between the ‘local’ and the ‘global’. Although it looks
like a daunting task to be relevant to the particular context and at the same time
share the common features of global Pentecostalism, the measures Pentecostals
have taken have meant that the tension is kept to a minimum. The urban churches
try to maintain a global Pentecostal style in worship and other matters of
spirituality. On the other hand, they try to include local elements, and
consequently they encourage the development of native pastors, but ones who
have a global Pentecostal style of preaching. They use western musical
instruments to provide a global style of music, but try to sing more songs in local
languages like Hindi. Many English songs are translated into Hindi. In their
missionary approach, they attempt to reach people from all strata of society. They
try to coordinate separate cell groups as per the world view of the people. In those
village churches where young people are exposed to urban churches, they have
youth choirs. They sing Hindi songs with western musical instruments. At the
same time, older people are given the opportunity to sing hymns in the local
dialect and in the local style, using local musical instruments. Thus the tension
seems to have been kept under control to an extent.
On the other hand, even illiterate people feel that they are a part of a large
community. The global Pentecostal connection has developed a feeling of global
identity among the natives. This is evident from the testimony of Narayani, an
illiterate tribal lady of RPC, who was expelled from her house due to her faith in
Christ. In her testimony, she used to say, ‘I am not alone, but a part of a big
family.’ She was referring not only to RPC, but is recognizing that Pentecostals
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