We Value
Tentmaking
Ministry-Focused Flexibility
Tentmaking in missions refers to the practice of supporting oneself through a job or profession while doing missionary work — a pattern drawn from the Apostle Paul, who made and sold tents during parts of his ministry. For Tentmakers Bible Mission, tentmaking is not a requirement or a defining method. It is a strategic tool. Some TBM missionaries tentmake. Others receive full financial support. What determines the approach is the ministry, not the organization. This page explains how TBM thinks about tentmaking, when it serves the mission, and when it doesn't.
And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
— Acts 18:2
Paul's Example
Was the Apostle Paul a tentmaking missionary? The question is more complicated than it first appears. Yes, Paul made tents. Acts 18:3 tells us he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth and worked with them because they shared the same trade. He reminded the Thessalonians: "We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you" (2 Thessalonians 3:8).
But Paul didn't always work to support himself. He accepted financial support from the Philippians (Philippians 4:15-16). He defended the right of gospel workers to receive financial support (1 Corinthians 9:14). His approach to tentmaking was strategic, not systematic. He worked when it served his ministry. He accepted support when that served his ministry better.
Ministry Comes First
This is the key principle TBM applies to tentmaking: the ministry always comes first. Tentmaking is a tool, not an end in itself. Some missionaries tentmake. Some don't. The question in every case is the same: what approach best serves the ministry God has called this missionary to?
Tentmaking creates options and opportunities for ministry in contexts that would otherwise be closed. A teacher in Central Asia gains credibility and relationships through her work in a local school. An engineer in the Middle East accesses communities that would never welcome a traditional missionary. A business owner in Southeast Asia employs local workers and models Christian character in the marketplace. For these missionaries, tentmaking doesn't compete with ministry. It enables ministry.
But tentmaking isn't the right approach for every missionary or every situation. A church planter in an open-access country may serve the mission better by devoting full time to preaching, teaching, and discipling. The strategy depends on the context and the calling.
When Tentmaking Serves the Mission
Tentmaking serves the mission in several specific ways.
It provides access to restricted countries. Many nations limit or prohibit traditional missionary visas. Those same countries welcome qualified teachers, medical professionals, engineers, and business people. A tentmaking missionary enters legally, builds genuine relationships through work, and ministers within the natural rhythms of daily life.
It builds credibility. In many cultures, people distrust someone with no visible means of support. A missionary with a legitimate job answers the unspoken questions: Why is this foreigner here? What do they really want? They contribute to the local economy and work alongside local people as colleagues.
It creates natural relationships. Coworkers become friends. Friends become open to spiritual conversations. The tentmaking missionary doesn't need to manufacture opportunities to share the gospel. Those opportunities arise through the shared experience of work.
It models a Christian work ethic. New believers watch how the missionary handles responsibility, treats coworkers, responds to stress, and conducts business. That embodied witness often speaks louder than any message.
The Challenges
Tentmaking also presents real challenges. Time is the most obvious. A full-time job leaves less time for language study, relationship building, and direct ministry. Missionaries can find themselves so consumed with work responsibilities that the actual ministry gets squeezed to the margins.
Energy is another factor. Cross-cultural living is demanding even without a job. Add a demanding professional role and missionaries can burn out quickly. They need honest expectations about what they can accomplish.
Language barriers complicate tentmaking as well. Professional competence requires one level of language ability. Meaningful spiritual conversation requires another level entirely.
A Pragmatic Approach
TBM helps missionaries think through these realities before committing to a tentmaking approach. We ask questions: Does tentmaking serve your specific calling and context? Can you maintain the ministry as your primary focus while holding a job? Are there other ways to access the people you want to reach?
Paul's example demonstrates that tentmaking can be a powerful strategy for cross-cultural ministry. But Paul also shows us that it's a strategic choice, not a universal mandate. The ministry determines the method, not the other way around.
Whether our missionaries tentmake or receive full support, they share the same priority: making disciples and planting churches. Tentmaking is one tool in service of that larger mission.
Common Questions
Do all TBM missionaries have jobs in their host country?
No. Some TBM missionaries tentmake, meaning they work a job or run a business as part of their ministry strategy. Others receive full financial support from churches and individuals and devote themselves entirely to ministry. The decision depends on the missionary's calling, context, and the particular needs of the field they are serving.
What kinds of jobs do tentmaking missionaries typically have?
It varies widely. Teaching English is one of the most common paths, particularly in countries where foreign language teachers are in demand. Others work in business, healthcare, engineering, development work, or education. The key factor is whether the job provides genuine access to the people the missionary wants to reach and leaves enough time and energy for ministry.
Isn't it deceptive to enter a country as a worker when you're actually there as a missionary?
This is a fair question, and TBM takes it seriously. Tentmaking missionaries are not pretending to work — they do their jobs with full professional integrity. Many are open about their faith with coworkers and employers. The distinction is between legitimate dual identity (a person who is both a professional and a follower of Christ seeking to share that faith) and misrepresentation of purpose. TBM does not support approaches that involve dishonesty.
Why does TBM use the name "Tentmakers" if tentmaking isn't required?
The name reflects Paul's posture toward ministry more than his specific practice. Paul was willing to do whatever was necessary to fulfill his calling — work when he needed to, accept support when that served better, adapt to every context. That pragmatic, ministry-first approach is what TBM is named for.