Tentmaking?

[Hediru]

I was wondering if anyone out there was a tent maker, you know, someone in ministry who actually makes a living doing something else. What is it that you do, and how did you find your job? I am asking because I believe wholeheartedly that I am called into ministering to children, but I am getting very frustrated with the job prospects. I have been let go by three churches already due to budget issues, and the church I am serving currently is drastically cutting my salary in January for the same reason. The truth is, I would stay at this church and volunteer my services and be just fine with it, but I have to be able to afford to live. I am single and cannot depend on income from a spouse. So, I've been exploring tent-making. Problem is, I have no idea what I could do. All of my education and training has been for ministry. What could I possibly do in the secular workplace that will afford me the needed money to live on as well as the time for my ministry? (And I'd prefer NOT to have to go back to school! I'm in too much debt already!)

 

[Jupiter Drops]

You can always work for a daycare, and if your degree allows, then a substitute teacher or a tutor. Or a babysitter.

If not, office jobs work out pretty fine. Secretaries get paid alright. Plus some places have benefits.


God bless. He will provide.

 

[ObeyGODCommandments]

I was wondering if anyone out there was a tent maker, you know, someone in ministry who actually makes a living doing something else. What is it that you do, and how did you find your job? I am asking because I believe wholeheartedly that I am called into ministering to children, but I am getting very frustrated with the job prospects. I have been let go by three churches already due to budget issues, and the church I am serving currently is drastically cutting my salary in January for the same reason. The truth is, I would stay at this church and volunteer my services and be just fine with it, but I have to be able to afford to live. I am single and cannot depend on income from a spouse. So, I've been exploring tent-making. Problem is, I have no idea what I could do. All of my education and training has been for ministry. What could I possibly do in the secular workplace that will afford me the needed money to live on as well as the time for my ministry? (And I'd prefer NOT to have to go back to school! I'm in too much debt already!)

I don't know what to tell you other than to tell you that time is short and that lawlessness is ever increasing.

What I can tell you is that Jesus through the bible has tons of wise advice for you to follow such as verse Matthew 6:25-34 which says:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

All the answers to your problem can be found in the bible. Like I said, time is short. We are living in the last days, and the scriptures pretty much tells us what will happen in the later days.

 

[winjayoma]

Hello to all. I am a pioneering pastor. I do use tentmaking to support my ministry in our place

 

[ButterflyPoette]

You can always go do some orphanage work.

 

[ButterflyPoette]

Oh yes, teaching English would be good too. You don't always need a teaching degree. I taught in Korea with only a bachelor's in English. Other teachers had degrees in stuff like science, theology, and even technical stuff.

 

[HOPEOF9]

We are tentmakers. My husband knew coming into this current church that he would have to work outside the church. We farm, but he also does water wells with a man who owns the business.
Over the years he has done several things. I do agree with Jupiter Drops on the selections of different jobs you would be able to do. I don't see anything wrong with it unless God is telling you not to do it. Keep it as a matter of prayer, and ask God to provide all things the way he wants. If he wants you to work more, he'll provide just the right thing. He is faithful. Always remember, it is God that gives us any ability we have to work, play and even breathe. He owns it all and it only comes from him no matter how many hours or how hard you work.

 

[candle glow]

Problem is, I have no idea what I could do. All of my education and training has been for ministry. What could I possibly do in the secular workplace that will afford me the needed money to live on as well as the time for my ministry? (And I'd prefer NOT to have to go back to school! I'm in too much debt already!)

This was posted waaaay back in November and the salary cut was expected in January. I'm wondering what the update is? You still around Hediru?

I think it's also preferable that you not go to a "secular" job. It's too time consuming and things get messy when you have to start sacrificing on the work you like to do because of money.

One option is for you to print up (or order) Christians tracts and alternate between distributing these tracts and participating at your children's ministry.

The tracts can contain any message you want (assuming it's consistent with the teachings of Jesus). I can give you heaps of examples of tracts if you want, including Christian comics and story books/study books.

There are several benefits to this. It's preaching the gospel so your time is well spent.

If you ask the people you are distributing to for a few cents (or small donation) to help with the printing cost of the tracts, then not only do you establish a value for the tract (so they don't just throw it on the ground 5 seconds later), but you also have an "income" to continue printing more tracts.

Allowing people to give any amount they want is a safeguard against becoming greedy and promotes the spirit of the kingdom of Heaven where people share with each other just because they want to and not because they are looking for a profit.

Some people may give less than what the tract cost to print and some people may give more; enough for you to not only continue printing more tracts, but also to provide for some of your expenses.

In the states, I've found that some of the best places for distributing are supermarket parking lots or busy streets. It takes a bit of practice and confidence, but it's a great feeling to be out there preaching the gospel.

It's also advisable that you find a partner to work with you, cause Jesus talked about going two-by-two. You can encourage one another as well as be there for one another in case you happen upon angry people or whatever.

I'm currently doing something like this in Kenya and it works well. I divide my time between Christian literature distributing, a hospital visitation ministry, and miscellaneous jobs which sometimes come up.

 

[Denied]

It's Gods will for you to work a secular job. Acts 20. Be determined in your prayer to Him about a job and He'll get you one.

 

[candle glow]

It's Gods will for you to work a secular job. Acts 20. Be determined in your prayer to Him about a job and He'll get you one.

In the verse mentioned by "denied" (Acts 20) there is only mention of Paul teaching that believers should "labor to help the weak".

So often, when people see a word like "labor" they automatically think of working for money. Why? Can't Christians labor for one another without some kind of ulterior motive like money?

How did it become a situation where Christians cannot think of work without relating it to working for money? Has the root of all evil really become so entrenched in modern day Christianity?

There are many different kinds of work/labour. However, the underlying lessons from the Gospels and the NT suggest that God isn't looking at the kind of work we do, so much as our motivations for WHY we do it.

If we only help people because we want to get money, then there is a problem with our motivations. Even motivations of wanting basic necessities like food and shelter become a problem if they take the place of love for others.

Jesus said that we cannot work for God and money at the same time without cheating on one or the other. He said that we should not allow worry about food and shelter stop us from working for love (seeking his kingdom first).

 

[Ian Ferrin]

Google "start a business with limited funds"

Peace,

Ian

 

[pressingon17]

My life goal is to teach, and I'm being taught the Word and taking Bible classes. My tent making job is graveyard security. I plan to do it for a career to provide for my soon to be wife and future family. I ultimately just want to serve were ever God calls me.

 

[freebiblelessons]

I have been in full-time ministry for years and although haven't had a specific need to work on the site I am always running different sites and businesses mainly focused on helping other churches.

I know several people that do this also. In my opinion it is ideal if you can either run your own business or work the job from home. That way you have the flexibility to do the ministry whenever you need to.

 

[Vladyslaus Kyivarius]

Nice advise but if we could actually do that or consider the way to create something and actually do it in the way needed by people and waging income.

TY for your idea. God bless.

 

[trentlogain2]

would it be feasible to take on two ministry jobs?

possibly a tutor somewhere.

 

[DamonRambo]

I was wondering if anyone out there was a tent maker, you know, someone in ministry who actually makes a living doing something else. What is it that you do, and how did you find your job? I am asking because I believe wholeheartedly that I am called into ministering to children, but I am getting very frustrated with the job prospects. I have been let go by three churches already due to budget issues, and the church I am serving currently is drastically cutting my salary in January for the same reason. The truth is, I would stay at this church and volunteer my services and be just fine with it, but I have to be able to afford to live. I am single and cannot depend on income from a spouse. So, I've been exploring tent-making. Problem is, I have no idea what I could do. All of my education and training has been for ministry. What could I possibly do in the secular workplace that will afford me the needed money to live on as well as the time for my ministry? (And I'd prefer NOT to have to go back to school! I'm in too much debt already!)

Hard question. I am struggling with this as well.

 

[DamonRambo]

This is one of the things I did...started my own business...

Church Flavor

I will let you know if it pans out!!

 

[HOPEOF9]

If your gifting is youth ministry, maybe you should become a substitute teacher. Some states require a course, but I know in WY there is a 3 weekend course and then you are certified. Check that out in your state and area. Also there might be a Christian school around that has a job opening other than a teacher.

 

[JojotheBeloved]

My dad was a tentmaker "minister" for all his adult life. He was involved as a volunteer for youth ministry at every church where he was a member and was often the primary leader in youth ministry clubs, classes, and volunteer efforts. Now he volunteers for the entire state he lives in to provide ministry opportunities for youth within his church denomination. He is an entrepreneur and has always had his own business and worked for himself successfully. Right now he does delivery work. Before that he did printing, and before that farming. It just depends where your skills are. I am in a similar situation right now also. My formal education is in ministry and I have a gift and a calling for youth and children's ministries in particular. But there are limited job prospects and limited funding right now in the churches in my area and in my denomination (yes, I've looked outside my denomination too and not found much there either). So right now, I'm a tentmaker - I work in an office as a receptionist. I don't make a lot, but it's enough to live on if I have roommates. You could be a receptionist at any hotel, school, church (maybe the church needs a secretary? or a janitor?), senior living facility or homecare office, daycare, etc. Do you know anyone in your church who has connections to an office, maybe knows someone who is looking? Just some ideas for you. At least for the time being.

 

[phydaux]

Chuck Smith usually recommended young pastors start a business doing lawn care.

Or try an ad on Craig's List - "Me And My Pick-Up Truck Will Move Your Stuff."

Depending on where you live, pool care or snow removal.