Tentmaking: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Christian term}} |
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{{About||the portable shelter|tent|the Tentmakers of Cairo|Khayamiya}} |
{{About||the portable shelter|tent|the Tentmakers of Cairo|Khayamiya}} |
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{{Cleanup|reason=doesn't read as a useful encyclopaedic article, and to our style|date=September 2019}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Tentmaking''', in general, refers to the activities of any [[Christians|Christian]] who, while dedicating herself or himself to the ministry of the Gospel, receives little or no pay for Church work, but performs other ("tentmaking") jobs to provide support. Specifically, tentmaking can also refer to a method of international [[Christianity|Christian]] [[evangelism]] in which [[missionary|missionaries]] support themselves by working full-time in the marketplace with their skills and education, instead of receiving financial support from a Church. The term comes from the fact that the [[Paul of Tarsus|apostle Paul]] supported himself by making tents while living and preaching in [[Corinth]] ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 18:3) |
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| ⚫ | '''Tentmaking''', in general, refers to the activities of any [[Christians|Christian]] who, while dedicating |
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| ⚫ | Unlike [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and other apostles in the early Christian Church, who devoted themselves entirely to their religious ministry and lived off the money donated by Church members (see Acts 4:34-37), Paul frequently performed outside work, not desiring to be a financial burden to the young Churches he founded. In [[Thessaloniki]], Paul states that he and his companions "worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you" ([[Second Epistle to the Thessalonians|2 Thessalonians]] 3:8). Paul's purpose in working was to set an example for the Christians, desiring that they did not become idle in their expectation of the return of Christ, but that they would work to support themselves. He also hoped that his refusal to accept financial support would build his credibility among non-Christians, thus giving him the chance to win over more of them (See [[1 Corinthians]] 9, particularly verse 12). For additional glimpses into the Apostle Paul's tentmaking ministry see Acts 18:1-3; 20:33-35; Philippians 4:14-16. |
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| ⚫ | Unlike [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and other apostles in the early Christian Church, who devoted themselves entirely to their religious ministry and lived off the money donated by Church members (see Acts 4:34-37), Paul frequently performed outside work, not desiring to be a financial burden to the young Churches he founded. In [[Thessaloniki]], Paul states that he and his companions "worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you" ([[Second Epistle to the Thessalonians|2 Thessalonians]] 3:8). Paul's purpose in working was to set an example for the Christians, desiring that they not become idle in their expectation of the return of Christ, but that they would work to support themselves. He also hoped that his refusal to accept financial support would build his credibility among non-Christians, thus giving him the chance to win over more of them (See [[1 Corinthians]] 9, particularly verse 12). For additional glimpses into the Apostle Paul's tentmaking ministry see Acts 18:1-3; 20:33-35; Philippians 4:14-16. |
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More recently, [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]] (1761-1831), considered to be the father of modern [[evangelism|evangelical]] Christian missions, was a tentmaker in [[India]], working as a factory owner and university professor while fulfilling his mission duties. At the time, international mission work was a new and controversial idea in the Church, and tentmaking was the only way for Carey to support his ministry. His example has led thousands of Christian missionaries to support themselves while ministering overseas. |
More recently, [[William Carey (missionary)|William Carey]] (1761-1831), considered to be the father of modern [[evangelism|evangelical]] Christian missions, was a tentmaker in [[India]], working as a factory owner and university professor while fulfilling his mission duties. At the time, international mission work was a new and controversial idea in the Church, and tentmaking was the only way for Carey to support his ministry. His example has led thousands of Christian missionaries to support themselves while ministering overseas. |
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Furthermore, tentmaking sometimes provides Christians the chance to serve in countries normally closed to mission work. Governments hostile to Christianity often accept well-qualified teachers, doctors, computer technicians and engineers into their countries to work, even if these men and women are Christians. These professionals are thus able to serve the country and support themselves while performing missions work. |
Furthermore, tentmaking sometimes provides Christians the chance to serve in countries normally closed to mission work. Governments hostile to Christianity often accept well-qualified teachers, doctors, computer technicians, and engineers into their countries to work, even if these men and women are Christians. These professionals are thus able to serve the country and support themselves while performing missions work. |
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In the [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox |
In the [[Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] Churches, the term "working clergy" is used to denote men who, whether assigned or not to a parish, must provide for themselves. More often than not, these are married priests who take positions in hospitals or other charitable institutions, although some can be solicitors or school teachers as well. A famous example of a working clergyman was the Orthodox Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea, who continued to work as a surgeon and medical doctor even after his ordination.{{cn|date=July 2023}} |
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==Digital times, blogging== |
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==Missional Nomad== |
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Currently more and more laypersons and ministry professionals are spending time online via their blogs and using them to earn an income, both passive and active, through direct advertising sales, [[affiliate marketing]], or promoting other products and services related to their work outside of ministry proper. |
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''“Missional Nomads travel the world while intentionally seeking to making disciples of Jesus Christ.”'' |
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They have been referred as "Digital Tentmakers" or "TentBloggers" (tentblogging), those that make money through their blogs.<ref>[http://tentblogger.com/what-is-a-tentblogger/ What is a TentBlogger]</ref> |
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Missional Nomads are people who use telecommunications technologies to earn a living and conduct their life in a nomadic manner. As they go, they desire to live missionally and seek to make disciples. |
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Missional Nomad Lifestyle – means relying on the internet to financially sustain a modern nomadic life. This allows them to become location independent, moving between countries while working remotely. This lifestyle includes living missionally and intentionally sharing one’s faith. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}} |
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* Tentmaking Today - a free publication for the worldwide tentmaking movement. www.tentmaking.today |
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*[https://www.tentmakers.info/ Tentmakers crowdfunding website ] |
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*''Today's Tentmakers: Self-Support: An Alternative Model for Worldwide Witness'' by [[J. Christy Wilson]]. {{ISBN|978-1-57910-889-2}}. |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080517053422/http://tentmakergroup.com/ Tentmaker Group] |
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*''Working Your Way to the Nations'' by Jonathan Lewis [http://www.wearesources.org/PublicationDetail.aspx?PublicationGUID=85860065-da01-4ac5-a68c-673edb12422d (free download)]{{dead link|date=June 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
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*Tentmaking Resource Directory [http://www.missionresources.com/tentmakers.html] |
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* Tentmaking Portal www.tentmaking.org |
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[[Category:Christian missions]] |
[[Category:Christian missions]] |
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[[Category:Work–life balance]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:58, 23 November 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2020) |
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: doesn't read as a useful encyclopaedic article, and to our style. (September 2019) |
Tentmaking, in general, refers to the activities of any Christian who, while dedicating herself or himself to the ministry of the Gospel, receives little or no pay for Church work, but performs other ("tentmaking") jobs to provide support. Specifically, tentmaking can also refer to a method of international Christian evangelism in which missionaries support themselves by working full-time in the marketplace with their skills and education, instead of receiving financial support from a Church. The term comes from the fact that the apostle Paul supported himself by making tents while living and preaching in Corinth (Acts 18:3)
History
[edit]Unlike Peter and other apostles in the early Christian Church, who devoted themselves entirely to their religious ministry and lived off the money donated by Church members (see Acts 4:34-37), Paul frequently performed outside work, not desiring to be a financial burden to the young Churches he founded. In Thessaloniki, Paul states that he and his companions "worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you" (2 Thessalonians 3:8). Paul's purpose in working was to set an example for the Christians, desiring that they did not become idle in their expectation of the return of Christ, but that they would work to support themselves. He also hoped that his refusal to accept financial support would build his credibility among non-Christians, thus giving him the chance to win over more of them (See 1 Corinthians 9, particularly verse 12). For additional glimpses into the Apostle Paul's tentmaking ministry see Acts 18:1-3; 20:33-35; Philippians 4:14-16.
Financial support is not the only essence of tentmaking. Instead, the vocational identity coupled with excellence of work and lifestyle influences colleagues to follow Jesus Christ.
Modern times
[edit]More recently, William Carey (1761-1831), considered to be the father of modern evangelical Christian missions, was a tentmaker in India, working as a factory owner and university professor while fulfilling his mission duties. At the time, international mission work was a new and controversial idea in the Church, and tentmaking was the only way for Carey to support his ministry. His example has led thousands of Christian missionaries to support themselves while ministering overseas.
Furthermore, tentmaking sometimes provides Christians the chance to serve in countries normally closed to mission work. Governments hostile to Christianity often accept well-qualified teachers, doctors, computer technicians, and engineers into their countries to work, even if these men and women are Christians. These professionals are thus able to serve the country and support themselves while performing missions work.
In the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the term "working clergy" is used to denote men who, whether assigned or not to a parish, must provide for themselves. More often than not, these are married priests who take positions in hospitals or other charitable institutions, although some can be solicitors or school teachers as well. A famous example of a working clergyman was the Orthodox Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea, who continued to work as a surgeon and medical doctor even after his ordination.[citation needed]
Digital times, blogging
[edit]Currently more and more laypersons and ministry professionals are spending time online via their blogs and using them to earn an income, both passive and active, through direct advertising sales, affiliate marketing, or promoting other products and services related to their work outside of ministry proper.
They have been referred as "Digital Tentmakers" or "TentBloggers" (tentblogging), those that make money through their blogs.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- Tentmakers crowdfunding website
- Today's Tentmakers: Self-Support: An Alternative Model for Worldwide Witness by J. Christy Wilson. ISBN 978-1-57910-889-2.
- Tentmaker Group
- Working Your Way to the Nations by Jonathan Lewis (free download)[dead link]
- Tentmaking Resource Directory [1]