What is Christian tentmaking?

Answer

Tentmaking is a metaphorical term used to describe maintaining a career to enable engagement in Christian ministry. Tentmakers are Christian workers, typically missionaries, who work full-time to sustain themselves rather than relying on financial support from a church or mission organization. The term “tentmaking” originates from the apostle Paul, who practiced tentmaking as his trade to support himself during his second missionary journey in Corinth. Paul encountered Priscilla and Aquila, and because he shared the same trade as them, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath, he engaged in discussions in the synagogue, seeking to persuade both Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:3-4).

Despite working full-time to establish churches and preach the gospel, Paul made it a priority to be self-sufficient whenever possible, supporting himself through his tentmaking trade. He later informed the elders in Ephesus, “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided for my own needs and those of my companions” (Acts 20:33-34). The essence of tentmaking lies in using external employment to meet one’s needs while engaged in ministry.

Certain Christians are directed by God to ministries or regions where they cannot rely on financial backing for their spiritual work, prompting them to seek employment alongside their ministry. New churches are frequently led by individuals who also hold full-time jobs. Some missionaries secure employment in areas where they conduct Bible studies in the evenings; in certain “closed” nations, tentmaking represents the sole option for missionaries. These scenarios exemplify Christian tentmaking.

At times, individuals called to ministry opt for tentmaking over the more traditional route.One method of seeking external support is through tentmaking. Tentmakers opt to provide their own financial backing to maintain a connection with the people they serve. They believe that having a full-time job outside of their ministry helps them relate better to others and ensures they do not become a financial burden to the community. Moreover, the challenges of the business world offer them opportunities to demonstrate their message and exemplify lifestyle evangelism. While First Corinthians 9:14 affirms the right of gospel teachers to be supported by their work, some choose to forgo this right. Tentmaking is a commendable approach to fulfilling Jesus’ directive to “make disciples of all nations” «Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: », (Matthew 28:19).