Tentmaking Ministry Sucks Sometimes!
Doug Mawer and I, good friends and co-partners in ministry, have been “tentmaking” in ministry now for quite a while. (Tentmaking is a term adopted from St. Paul, who made tents while he served churches, at least for a time. See Acts 18:3). We co-pastor the same church for a half-time salary, and we make up the other half with other income. Mainly because the church can’t afford to pay both of us full time, and we had decided to try to do this together. I paint and sell my art in a local gallery as well as on eBay. Doug does construction work. The Vineyard movement, which we are a part of, encourages it, especially in church-planting situations. I just want to write about it from a different angle: mine. I would contend that it would depend on what type of tentmaking you do.
For instance, Doug and I agree that it is easier for me to do tentmaking ministry with my kind of job than it is for him. I can paint in the comfort of my studio, listen to music, write when the mood hits, think about my sermon, talk on the phone if necessary, hurry off see someone if they need me, quickly change into more decent clothing to go to the church, and go to evening meetings in fairly good form. I can do this half days each or day on day off. I still find it challenging to juggle the two jobs, but it is manageable.
But for Doug it is more difficult. He has to get up early to load up his vehicle with all the tools and ladders, get to the job site, price the job, go to the supply store for materials, measure, calculate, get dirty, sweaty, sometimes wet, ocassionally hurt, always exhausted. People want their decks built NOW, not half day here, half day there, maybe see you next week. So with Doug’s kind of tentmaking, it requires full-time full-on thought, effort, time, commitment, and sweat. Doug finds it too stressful for him and unfair to the church to juggle these two kinds of jobs.
There are some jobs that are more suitable for tentmaking. For instance, I’ve heard of some pastors who land-lord a few buildings. That wouldn’t be so bad if the buildings are in fairly good shape and your tenants are decent. But if not, you could catch yourself having to dash off at inappropriate moments to stop a leak. I’ve heard of others investing money in properties and reselling. That would be pretty good too if you have money upfront and the smarts to flip property wisely. Others I know are professors at universities. That would be cool provided your congregation was fairly settled and manageable, meaning you could predict when you would be free for the congregation. That way you could sit at one desk and just change hats, so to speak, as the need arose.
Anyway, it’s gotten to the point where Doug’s decided to find a construction job full time. At least for a while. The stress of trying to support a family on only one reliable half-income has taken its toll. We are both frustrated and disappointed, but there seems to be no other option. We don’t think his tentmaking experience is conducive to pastoral ministry.
Now, I know much depends on our definition of “pastoral ministry” as well as the needs and expectations of the congregation. Agreed. Any thoughts?
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I always found the idea of tentmaking appealing - and theologically sound/required even — but it makes me tired. I seem to “do ministry” (and I mean in my church) 24/7 sometimes. But there is so much to be said for getting out with non-churchy souls — working in a coffee shop, an alternative bookstore, the circus — and remembering a different kind of life. It’s real life for most.
Jan: I totally agree. I love mingling with the art world. It helps keep it real. Doug enjoys business and all that goes with it. It’s the challenge, like you say, of doing it in a way that doesn’t make you insane. Good comments!
Ive church planted and been fortunate enough to draw a little salary at the beginning as to avoid the “tentmaking”. I would contend that the pace in which we live and the expectations upon Pastors - as compared to Pauls day - is quite different.
I thought of the circus as Jan suggests, but I am fulltime in the church, which tends to be a circus sometimes. So, I have the best of both worlds.
This is what I do to keep in touch with the real world: I make time to go to work with some of the guys in my church. One guy owns a sign company - one guy a developer - one guy is manager at CP Rail - one guy a scalper in Toronto (Which has its benefits!!) - one guy a welder/fabricator.
All of this allows me to stay in contact with the real world and gives me an understanding of some of the pressures they experience - which gives me insight to the Word in order to keep it relevant. It gives me illustrations that they can relate to.
I love to get out of the office and hang! Its refreshing and rewarding. The people love it that you get out with them - It strengthen relationships.
Hey, when you think about it - Shepherds are to be out with the sheep - not tucked in their clean - clinical offices.
If your religious and have been out of touch with the real world - you will see things and hear things in their workplace that will make you shiver. But I have to be honest - it is refreshing to hear a good stream of bad language. Im jealous I cant use it with some people in the church.
The people in our church who are in the marketplace are really “Holy Sheep!” - now say that real fast and I don’t care who you are - that’s funny!
I think tent making works in the right circumstances. I think I prefer Steve Sjogrens approach of raising funds and a team so that you’ve got enough funds that offering don’t have to be great to start with and you can hit day one of a plant with a full team to get the best start possible.
I can’t imagine doing it the way you guys are doing it, I admire you both for your faith and your sacrifices.
My opinion is that tentmaking works for some and not for others, we’re not a ‘one size fits all’ kind of thing. It just sucks when it doesn’t work so well for two great pastors like you and Doug. The abstract is always easier to discuss than real life is to do.
My heart goes out to both you and Doug, being pulled in so many directions. I think tentmaking has its pros and cons, pros being you keep in touch with the reality of life on the outside of the church, and cons in that it can keep you from being able to serve the church in the way you’d like to, but don’t have time for.
In regards to a pastor having to leave his pastoral position to “make tents” full-time in order to eat/pay bills, my beef would be with the people of the church. (Should I duck now??). Many people just don’t get the fact that people who dedicate their lives to the church happen to have financial needs that could easily be met if we all shared the load. Even a small church has enough to go around if everyone had the mentality that this is my family and how could I not provide for my family as they provide for me. To keep this blog in the top 100 religious blogs list :wink3:, I reference Acts 2:44,45.
I love Jan’s suggested workplaces…except maybe for the circus…all those creepy clowns. :unsure:
Drats, my smilies didn’t work!!
Re: Doug’s situation, my experience has been that the transition is the hardest part. Time and distance not only soften the landing, but have the potential to launch you into new and exciting things.
It has been eight years since I went from working with an awesome trio in a paid ministry position to tentmaking. Disappointing beyond words. However, I have learned that life and fulfillment are in both professions/choices.
A couple of years later, I was working at three jobs - two business start ups and at a local church. This is NOT recommended for anyone at any time! I dropped the church gig and a mini-business. I kept one of my business ventures. I feel the choices were positive and life giving.
My hope is that both of you (Dave & Doug) will find life in the days to come and that R.V., my one true home to date, will have her best days still ahead.
It is an important issue that you highlight.
I have been employed as the Youth Worker (pastor) at my church for the last to years. It is a part time position, but with my wife working as well has been enough for us to live.
I have found it helpful being employed by the church being able to go to other organisations (like schools) and saying ‘what can I do for you?’ When they realise they don’t have to pay you (and you don’t have to starve because of your ‘volunteering’) they are quite opening to being helped.
I also realise that as an ‘employee’ of the church I have to raise my standard. We have lots of people in our church who work 40 hour weeks and then do their church ministry on top of that.
In the past couple of months I have got another part time job, working with my local Council. I now work full time and am valuing the experience of working outside of the church.
Not only does it help me to realise that the world is much bigger than the day to day problems of youth work, it also gives me a different challenge and stimulation.
I really like John’s idea for someone in full time ‘employed’ ministry.
Thanks for that.
Hope inspiring words, Kari.
Thanks.
Not an easy call. Much depends on the energy that leadership has. Come to think of it,Paul could possibly entertain visitors and continue making a tent to meet a deadline. Not too many jobs around like that.
This is an issue I think about a lot, since I’m in the same situation. For years I’ve run the youth group and co-ordinated the worship music at my church, both as volunteer positions while working a full-time job. It was easy enough to balance when I was single, but now that I’m married with a growing family (one toddler and another baby on the way) I rarely feel like I have enough time to go around. I also work a lot of nights and weekends, which is convenient for my family life - I like being home in the daytime to play with my son - but makes it hard to do church meetings or small groups.
I’ve found the challenge frustating at times; I often feel like I do a lot of things decently but nothing as well as I could. But at the same time it’s forced me to be more focused and deliberate in what I take on, as well as to delegate more and give up control of some things - all things I’m not naturally good at.
I also like working, and I’ve had the chance to have some great conversations about God with some of my co-workers. Part of me never wants to rely on the church to pay my bills, but I do wish I had more time to devote to ministry sometimes. I’m hoping my plan to become a critically acclaimed, best-selling novelist eventually comes to fruition and then I’ll be all set…
Well said Chad. And how is your “plan” coming anyway?