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Tentmaking or Bi-Vocational
Ministers
There are times
when a particular church may wish to call a minister who is
able to find sources of support other than the particular church.
The Apostle Paul, for example, made tents for a living so that
he would not have to burden the small, struggling fellowships
of believers during the first century A.D. From Saint Paul's
example we have adopted the term "tentmaking" to describe
a situation in which a minister of the Word and Sacrament works
in a usually secular occupation and works for a particular church
on a less than full time basis.
We have heard other terms used to describe this situation.
Baptists often refer to this as bi-vocational ministry. Others
have coined terms such as dual role ministry, non-stipendiary
ministry, worker-priest, etc. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
we usually call it "tentmaking." The Tentmaker's Manual
defines "tentmaking" in the following way:
"A tentmaker-minister is one who divides the week's
working hours between two or more positions, one in service
as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in a congregation (or
in a ministry defined by the presbytery as valid) (G-11.0403),
and the other in a secular position."
It is important to remember that while usually the secular
position is done for remuneration, there are a number of instances
in which the secular position is a vocation for which a person
does not receive monetary compensation. For example, both women
and men have chosen to do child rearing and home making as their
tentmaking vocation.
Why consider a tentmaker?
Often congregations will first consider a tentmaker because
of financial difficulties supporting a full time minister, and
thus may consider this alternative out of desperation and a
sense that they do not quite "measure up." Yet congregations
and ministers who have chosen the tentmaking path have found
in many cases it is a very healthy and rewarding ministry for
both pastor and congregation. Studies done by the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) and other groups have shown high levels of satisfaction
among tentmaking ministers and the congregations they serve.
It is important to remember that during the formation of the
Christian Church in the Roman Empire, tentmaking was the norm
rather than the exception.
The presbytery, upon recommendation of its COM, must first
validate the position that makes the minister a member of presbytery.
(G-11.0403; 11.0502-03) Because of time constraints,
calls for Tentmaking ministers should be carefully worked out
by the COM, the church and the minister who will fill the position.
The time constraints will also affect how a minister participates
in presbytery life, and this too should be worked out carefully.
The COM will need to consider such issues as:
- Shall we ordain a candidate to a tentmaking position?
- Shall we ordain to a position where service is defined as
less than 20 hours a week?
- These and other important questions are discussed in the
Tentmakers Manual (pages 34-36).
The COM liaison
that works with a church considering tentmaking ministry should
be thoroughly familiar with tentmaking ministry. The Tentmaker's
Manual and other resources listed in this chapter will be helpful.
The presbytery COM and staff can be tremendously helpful in
recruiting pastors to do tentmaking. This may include negotiating
with a pastor with appropriate secular skills and not currently
involved in tentmaking to accept a call to a tentmaking ministry.
The presbytery’s Committee on Preparation for Ministry
may have persons under care who come to ministry as a second
career and who might continue to use that first career as a
tentmaking pastor.
The COM should be sure that the following
matters have been considered before approving a Tentmaking call:
- That the tentmaker is not over-extended
- That there will be satisfaction in each
position the tentmaker holds
- That the congregation will find the secular
position acceptable
- That the needs of the church can be met
by this ministry
- That there is a plan for the regular review
of the ministry
Some presbyteries use tentmakers as designated,
stated supply and temporary supply pastors. A tentmaking minister
and a Commissioned Lay Pastor are not the same things. The tentmaker
is an ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament who is permitted
to earn a portion of his/her income from other (usually secular)
sources. The Commissioned Lay Pastor is a layperson commissioned
to several functions specified in the Book of Order.
The combined compensation, that is, the compensation
from both the ministry and the other position should be adequate
to meet the minimum salary requirements of the presbytery and
the needs of the tentmaker. A carefully written covenant (contract)
is important. A sample covenant form is available in the Tentmakers
Manual (pages 42-43). At least one member of the COM should
assist in making the covenant.
This covenant should include:
- Number of hours
or work units that will be expected of the pastor for the
church
- The pastoral activities that must have
priority
- The commitment(s) of lay leaders in the
ministry of the church
- The length of service if not an installed
position
- The financial terms of call
- Vacation and study leave time
The number of hours, the financial terms
and benefits should be clearly stated. There are tax and benefit
issues that are unique for tentmaking ministers. The Board of
Pensions regional representative and the Association of Presbyterian
Tentmakers can offer helpful guidance.
Every minister of the Word and Sacrament
must be given at least one-month vacation, whether full or less-than-full-time.
It is not fair to expect a part-time minister to lead worship
more Sundays than one who serves full-time.
written by tentmaker Linda
Kuhn
First of all, attitude is important. Don't
sell yourself short as a congregation. Your church may be small
in membership, but there's more to being faithful than numbers. [Read more]
Preparing
a CIF for Tentmaking Positions
PNCs should address these questions
as they prepare the CIF and prepare to interview potential tentmakers. Read more
Essential Resources for Tentmaking
- Tentmakers Manual
This manual will assist in the understanding and guidance
of how a tentmaker minister can work for a congregation.
$3.00
PDS # 305-92-950
- Dorr, Luther M., The Bivocational
Pastor, Broadman Press, Nashville, 1988.
- Leominister, Francis and Francis, Tentmaking: Perspectives on Self-Supporting Ministry,
Gracewing Books, 1998 (Available from Morehouse Publishing,
1-800-877-0012).
- New Times-New Call: A Manual
of Pastoral Options for Small Churches, Evangelism and Church
Development
A resource for small church leaders and presbytery committees
to use to guide a dialogue about meeting the pastoral leadership
needs of small churches.
$4.00
PDS # 7231203001
- Survey
of Tentmakers and Congregations Served by Tentmakers,
August 1997, Research Services, PC (USA), 100 Witherspoon
Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Call
1-888-728-7228 ext. 2040 to ask about a copy
Videos:
- "Today's Presbyterian Tentmakers",
Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers. (Found in most presbytery
resource libraries and available directly from APT.) A variety
of tentmaking ministers share their experiences.
- "Presbyterian Tentmaking Churches",
Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers. ((Found in most presbytery
resource libraries and available directly from APT.) Several
congregations are featured that are served by tentmaking ministers.
- Leadership Options for Small Churches,
COM Resourcing Coalition. Available from the Synod of Lakes
and Prairies, 8012 Cedar Ave. South, Bloomington, MN 55425
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