How to Talk to Your Church Leadership About Your Tentmaking Plans (Without Freaking Them Out)

For many pastors, the scariest part of tentmaking isn’t choosing an income stream.
It’s telling their church and leadership team.

You might be excited about finally getting some financial breathing room… but you’re also thinking:

• “Will they think I’m less committed to the church?”
• “Will they assume I’m planning my exit?”
• “Will this damage trust with my elders, leadership team or board?”

And here’s the thing: if anyone in the church is going to hear criticism like,
“Why isn’t our pastor 100% focused on the church?”
…it’ll usually hit your leadership team first.

That’s why how you communicate your tentmaking desires (or current reality) is absolutely crucial. Done well, your leaders can become your biggest defenders and advocates. Done badly, it can create suspicion, insecurity, and unnecessary tension.

Let’s walk through three key pieces:

1. Why your leadership team must be in the loop
2. How to start the conversation in a healthy, honouring way
3. Common questions you’ll face - and how to answer them

1. Why Your Leadership Team Needs to Hear It From You First

Your leadership team is the “front line” for questions, concerns, and criticism in the church. If people are uneasy about your tentmaking, they won’t usually come to you first - they’ll go to:

• An elder
• A board member
• A key leader

So if your leaders are caught off guard by your tentmaking, they’re instantly on the back foot. They’re trying to defend something they don’t fully understand, weren’t part of, and maybe don’t even fully support.

That’s a recipe for:

• Awkward conversations in the lobby
• Whispered concerns in leadership meetings
• A subtle erosion of trust

On the flip side, when you bring your leadership team in early:

• They understand why you’re doing this (not just what you’re doing).
• They can defend your motives because they’ve heard your heart.
• They can answer questions with clarity and confidence.
• They feel honoured and trusted, not blindsided.

In other words, good communication doesn’t just protect you - it protects them and the unity of the church.

2. How to Start the Conversation (Present It as an Idea, Not a Done Deal)

The biggest mistake pastors make is announcing tentmaking as a finished decision. I made this mistake and it cost me some trust that made the conversations harder. So don’t do this (not exactly what I did but similar!):

“Just letting you know I’m starting a side business…”

At that point, your leaders don’t feel like partners; they feel like spectators. They’re being informed, not invited.

A better approach: present it as an idea first and genuinely invite feedback.

Lots of things you could say - but you might say something like:

“I’ve been praying about our family’s finances and also about how I can model tentmaking in a healthy way. I’d love to talk with you about an idea I’m exploring and get your honest feedback before I make any decisions.”

A few practical tips for that first conversation:

• Hear concerns 1-1 first
  Don’t tack this onto the end of a busy agenda. Ask for some time with key leaders 1-1 first to talk it through. Better to give people a chance to be honest 1-1 and it'll also help them to feel trusted.
• Share your heart before your plan.
  Start with the why:
  • Stewardship of your family and others you’d like to support
  • Desire to reduce financial stress now or in the future so you can serve more freely
  • A biblical vision of tentmaking (Paul as an example, not an excuse)
  • Missional opportunities etc!
• Be clear you’re not presenting a fait accompli.
  Use language like:
  • “I’m exploring…”
  • “I’d value your wisdom…”
• Outline boundaries you’re already committed to.
  For example:
  • “I’ll protect my day off and family time.”
  • “I’ll keep the church priorities first and fit tentmaking around it.”
  • “I won’t promote it to church members”

This shows you’re not just chasing money; you’re thinking about health, calling, and the good of the church.

3. The Tough Questions You’ll Likely Face (And How to Answer Them)

If your leaders are honest (and they should be), they’ll ask some hard questions. That’s not a sign of opposition; it’s often a sign they care about you, the church, and the gospel. They are doing their job!

Here are some of the most common questions - and some ways you might respond.

Question 1: “Are you working your way out? Is this a step toward leaving?”

A possible response:

“I’m not exploring tentmaking because I want to leave (unless you are in which case ... !) I’m exploring it because I want to stay healthy and sustainable here long-term. We want our family finances healthy and have enough to support others. Tentmaking is a way to relieve that pressure so I can keep serving here over the long haul.”

Question 2: “Will this distract you from the church?”

What they’re really asking:
“Will we get a ‘part-time heart’ even if your job title stays full-time?”

Here’s where you can be very concrete:

“That’s a fair concern, and I’ve thought a lot about it. I’m committed to protecting my ministry focus. Practically, that means: I’ll keep my current ministry hours and responsibilities. I’ll only work on tentmaking in set blocks outside those hours. If at any point you feel our ministry is slipping because of this, I want you to tell me - and I’ll adjust. Also I’m hoping that this will model something to the church who are also balancing work, church and family commitments and I know it will give me more missional opportunities.”

You might also share your filters for what kind of tentmaking you’ll do:

“I’m only considering income streams that are flexible and don’t require me to be ‘on’ at fixed times that clash with ministry. I’m not looking for another job - I’m looking to build something that can run in the background or in small, focused blocks of time.”

Question 3: “What will people in the church think?”

What they’re really asking:
“Will this create confusion or division in the congregation?”

You can respond:

“Some people may have questions, and that’s okay. My hope is that we can model a healthy, biblical view of tentmaking together. I’d love your help shaping how we communicate this to the church, if and when that’s appropriate. I don’t want this to be a secret, but I also don’t want it to be a distraction. I’d value your wisdom on what to share, how much detail, and when. I want to balance communicating well whilst not trying to make it look like I’m using the platform to promote the business!”

This invites them into the communication strategy, not just the decision.

Final Thought: Tentmaking Done With Your Leaders, Not Around Them

Tentmaking doesn’t have to be a threat to your church. The key is this: don’t do it in the dark.

Bring your leadership team in early. Share your heart, not just your plans. Invite their questions. Listen to their concerns. Adjust where needed.

When your leaders understand your “why” and are part of shaping the “how,” they can stand beside you, not behind you, when questions come.