Some of us even grew up in churches were many of the staff were paid full-time.
It’s easy for us to assume that our experience is the norm.
But it may surprise you to learn that many churches, perhaps most churches globally, don’t operate this way.
There just aren’t the funds available to pay a pastor full-time.
Most of us live in a context of great wealth. But most of the world doesn’t live in that context.
And the early church certainly didn’t live in that context.
Tentmaking is the norm. Funding pastors full-time is the exception.
It may not have been the norm in the church you grew up in, and that’s ok.
But, even in a Western context, there are thousands of bi-vocational pastors. They serve in churches where they get very limited pay, if any at all.
So, the first way I’d answer the question, “Is tentmaking a distraction?” is to say:
Far from being a distraction, tentmaking is what enables many pastors to be involved in ministry. Without it, they wouldn’t be able to provide for their families. It’s an essential part of their ability to do ministry. And often they’ll choose a “tentmaking” occupation that provides more flexibility in their schedule to fulfill their many ministry commitments.
Maybe you’d respond, “Ok, I get it. If you can’t get paid full-time at a church, tentmaking is not a distraction, it’s a necessity. But it’s not ideal, right? You should hope to be able to get paid full-time in ministry eventually so you’re less distracted.”
Not so fast.
In many cases globally, even if funds were available to pay a pastor or multiple pastors full-time, they’d choose not to use the funds that way.
What?!? Why not?
Because they understand, like Paul did, all of the advantages of tentmaking in beginning, sustaining, and multiplying disciples & churches.
I’ve written extensively about the advantages of tentmaking, so I’ll link a few articles here.
How Tentmaking Challenges Our Paradigms
But, suffice it to say, many pastors/churches believe that not only is tentmaking not a distraction, it’s essential to accomplish our mission — seeing disciples & churches multiply to reach all nations. And, of course, there’s great precedent for this in Scripture.
So, is tentmaking a distraction?
Paul certainly didn’t think so.
I’ll leave you with his words to the church in Thessalonica:
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3:7–13)
