Christian tentmaking refers to Christians supporting themselves financially by working secular jobs while also engaging in evangelism, church planting, and other missionary activities. The term comes from the apostle Paul’s occupation as a “tentmaker” mentioned in Acts 18:3, where he worked making tents while also preaching the gospel. Here is a detailed overview of Christian tentmaking:
Origin of the Term “Tentmaking”
The term “tentmaking” comes from the apostle Paul’s profession of making tents, mentioned in Acts 18:3: “And because he was of the same craft, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” Paul was trained as a rabbi and Torah scholar, but also learned the craft of tentmaking. This allowed him to support himself by plying his trade while traveling on his missionary journeys. The tents Paul likely fabricated were portable dwellings made of leather or woven cloth. As a tentmaker, Paul was able to earn an income in the cities he traveled to while also preaching the gospel and planting churches.
Paul’s Tentmaking Ministry
In several of the cities Paul visited, he supported himself financially by making tents while carrying out his ministry. For example, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth because they were tentmakers, and he worked with them (Acts 18:3). In Thessalonica, Paul worked night and day as a tentmaker so as not to be a financial burden while preaching the gospel there (1 Thess 2:9). Though Paul had the right to earn his living from his ministry, he refrained from fully availing himself of this right in order not to hinder the gospel (1 Cor 9:12-18). Paul’s tentmaking allowed him to provide for himself while devoting his time to spreading the Christian message.
Purposes of Tentmaking
There are several reasons why tentmaking has been adopted as a model of ministry:
– To gain access to countries that are closed to traditional missionary activity. By working regular jobs, tentmakers are able to get into countries where visas for religious workers would not be granted.
– To be less financially dependent on donors for support. Tentmakers are self-supporting and do not have to raise large amounts of funds as traditional missionaries do.
– To have more flexibility, freedom, and less oversight compared to traditional missions agencies. Tentmakers operate independently without much organizational constraints.
– To have a natural way to build relationships and social networks. Daily interactions in the workplace provide opportunities to demonstrate a Christian witness.
– To avoid creating financial dependency in new believers and churches. By not relying on local churches for support, tentmakers allow these new churches to be self-sustaining.
Tentmaking Compared to Traditional Missions
Tentmaking differs from traditional missions in several ways:
– More self-supporting: Tentmakers raise little or no donations but work to support themselves. Traditional missionaries have to engage in extensive fundraising to gain financial support.
– Less organized: Tentmakers operate independently without much oversight, while traditional missionaries work under a mission agency’s guidance.
– More job-focused: A major part of a tentmaker’s time is spent on their non-ministry job, while traditional missionaries spend more time directly on ministry work.
– Accessibility: Countries closed to missionary visas are more accessible to tentmakers who arrive under a work visa. This allows access that traditional missionaries may not have.
– Lower profile: Tentmakers generally keep a low profile, while traditional missionaries tend to be more public about their religious work.
– Part-time ministry: Tentmaking involves secular employment alongside ministry, whereas traditional missionaries focus on ministry as their sole job.
Biblical Examples Beyond Paul
Paul was not the only tentmaker mentioned in the New Testament:
– Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers who assisted Paul in his work, teaching Apollos in Ephesus (Acts 18:1-3, 18:24-28).
– Lydia was a “seller of purple,” likely a merchant dealing in purple dyed goods (Acts 16:14). She supported Paul and his companions in Philippi.
– Zenas the lawyer (possibly a Torah expert) and Apollos with skills in rhetoric and scriptural argumentation (Titus 3:13).
So tentmaking was quite common in the early church. Both Paul and the Jerusalem leaders recognized the value of self-supporting work to facilitate the spread of the gospel.
Modern Applications of Tentmaking
There are many ways that tentmaking is practiced today:
– teachers, professors, and English tutors
– medical professionals
– information technology workers
– engineers, architects, and construction managers
– businesspeople and entrepreneurs
– artists, musicians, and creative professionals
– athletes and coaches
– social service workers
Tentmakers have used their professional skills to gain access and serve in:
– Creative Access Countries: nations closed to traditional missionary activity like China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea.
– Difficult Environments: places that are hostile to Christianity or foreign influence.
– Unreached People Groups: engaging isolated tribal groups or immigrant communities in urban centers.
– Closed Communities: building relationships and sharing the gospel with insular social groups.
Opportunities Offered by Tentmaking
There are many benefits afforded by the tentmaking model:
– Gainful employment in jobs that provide a needed service and contribution to society.
– Building relationships naturally in the workplace and community.
– Ministry to fellow colleagues and having a Christian witness in the secular workplace.
– Avoiding dependency on donors enables more efficient use of funds directly for ministry purposes.
– Freedom from traditional mission’s agency control provides flexibility in ministry approach.
– Low-key access and integration in countries closed to religious workers.
– Supporting new churches towards being self-sustaining instead of dependent on outside funds.
– Being involved in ministry long-term without raising extensive funds.
Challenges of Tentmaking
There are also potential difficulties faced by tentmakers:
– Handling the stresses and time pressures of working two jobs – a regular career and ministry. Avoiding burnout is essential.
– Lack of formal theological training to properly understand the Scriptures compared to career clergy.
– Little mentoring, accountability, fellowship and member care compared to traditional missionaries who have agency support systems.
– Possible sense of isolation being on their own without a team or ministry cohorts.
– Frustration with work that may be less fulfilling compared to full-time ministry engagement.
– Securing a work visa and employment in a foreign country can be difficult.
– Appropriate ministry opportunities may not be available in some work contexts.
Training for Tentmaking Ministry
Many Bible colleges and seminaries now offer courses, degrees, and coaching related to tentmaking ministry. This training includes:
– Biblical and theological foundations for the tentmaking model.
– Missions education – exposure to cross-cultural ministry and world missions trends.
– Personal development – spiritual formation, character growth, and resilience.
– Practical ministry experience – internships, field experience, and mentoring relationships.
– Professional development – connecting calling to vocation, business as mission, job search strategies.
– Cultural adaptation – learning a new language, adjusting to foreign culture contexts.
– Security training – wise use of technology, minimizing risks, crisis response.
Formalized training equips tentmakers for the unique opportunities and challenges they will encounter.
Issues and Controversies Related to Tentmaking
There are some issues and debates surrounding tentmaking ministry:
– Extent of ministry engagement – Some question whether tentmakers spread themselves too thin trying to balance both a job and ministry.
– Lack of accountability – Since tentmakers operate independently without much oversight, there is a risk of avoiding accountability.
– Lack of full-time focus – Tentmakers may not be as able to devote themselves fully to ministry work compared to full-time clergy.
– Resentment from fully supported ministers – Some paid pastors or missionaries may think it unfair that tentmakers do similar work without having to raise funds.
– Lifestyle and commitment – There are perceptions that tentmakers may have a lesser commitment to ministry than those willing to raise support.
– Lack of training – Since many tentmakers do not have formal seminary education, some doubt their theological preparedness for ministry.
– Proper balance – Determining the right balance between job, ministry, family, and rest is difficult for tentmakers and often not managed well.
There are merits to both the tentmaking and fully-supported ministry models. Wise tentmakers rely on community and accountability to maximize their impact while minimizing potential pitfalls.
Key Biblical Principles for Tentmaking Practice
Several biblical principles help guide effective tentmaking:
– Stewardship – Managing time, talents, and finances well for maximum ministry impact (Luke 16:10-12).
– Ethics – Maintaining integrity and a Christian witness in one’s work (Colossians 3:22-24).
– Generosity – Using resources to help others and support ministry (2 Corinthians 9:6-15).
– Relationships – Building meaningful connections and social capital (John 13:34-35).
– Perseverance – Maintaining stamina and resilience long-term (Galatians 6:9).
– Excellence – Working with skill and wisdom for good outcomes (Proverbs 22:29).
– Faithfulness – Staying consistent despite challenges (1 Corinthians 4:2).
– Dependence – Relying on God’s strength to accomplish His work (John 15:5).
Tentmakers exemplify these principles both in their jobs and ministries, bringing glory to God in all aspects of their lives.
Tentmaking in the Future
The tentmaking model is well-suited for ministry in the 21st century:
– With increased persecution of Christians, tentmaking affords access and flexibility.
– As more countries close their doors to missionaries, tentmaking provides a way in.
– With rising college costs, tentmaking avoids seminary debt that has to be repaid.
– As traditional ministry jobs decrease, tentmaking is a practical option.
– The growth of remote work and portable income enables global mobility.
– Online discipleship allows supporting believers anywhere in the world.
– Social enterprises, startups, and business as mission are new platforms for ministry.
Tentmaking needs to be a core part of training emerging generations for taking the gospel to all nations. There remain millions of people who have little access to the gospel unless it is brought creatively by bi-vocational ministers living out the tentmaking model. Though challenging at times, tentmaking provides opportunities for ministry that traditional structures cannot. With proper preparation, maturity, and wisdom, tentmakers are poised to make an enormous Kingdom impact in the coming decades.