Author: Phill

AUTHENTIC LIVES: Overcoming the Problem of Hidden Identity in Outreach to Restrictive Nations

/ Phill

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By Thomas Hale III, William Carey Library, 2016

A BOOK REVIEW by Phill Sandahl:

Should believers lie, or use deception, in order to take the gospel to restrictive or hostile countries? This is an issue that comes up frequently in discussions of tentmaking. I have faced strong believers who argue passionately on both sides of this debate. Each claims biblical support for their point of view.

Authentic Lives tackles this topic with more depth and insight than I have seen before.

The book is a serious, deep, and thorough exploration into the issue. Exploring all sides and the pro and con consequences for each party with each approach. Hale explores both the effects and the unintended consequences of every approach. He does not go easy on either side, revealing potential negative effects with each approach. Nor is he judgmental condemning one side or the other for their choice. Each context is different and each person has to make the best choice possible.

Hale employs the literary device of creating a fictitious state of “Almoria” which is a composite of real places and real people where ministry takes place in countries with few Christians and restrictive governments. This way he can explore the issues without singling out specific countries or people.

His analysis ranges wide. He looks at the cases and approaches through various lenses — historical, governmental, anthropological-sociological, political and theological. 

Through the use of case studies, from contemporary accounts and biblical stories he delves into issues of deception and integrity. He draws out practical lessonS that will help future ex-pats living in restrictive countries.

A common practice is to have different identities (explanations of one’s activity) based on the audience one is addressing – home church or host country. He demonstrates the difficulty of this “schizophrenic” approach even when both explanations may be true. 

Having laid out the problems with each method, Hale proposes an alternative approach which allows one to operate with integrity before all groups in an authentic way. His recommendation is not without its detractors. In some cases it will be necessary to “re-educate” your support group.

He challenges some of the presuppositions of the past. Nevertheless, he gives an approach which is biblical, practical, and worthy of consideration. He shows how one can be consistent and present one identity to all constituents without compromise.

IN CONCLUSION he writes: “In summary, the best way for a sent one to avoid a hidden identity in Almoria is to adapt purpose, metaphor, and motivation such that nothing needs to be hidden.” Pg. 72. Be who God made you to be. Be Authentic.

Years of study combined with experience in the field have equipped the author to produce a valuable guide for the tentmaker. This book helps to better understand the tentmaker role while working in challenging and restrictive countries. 

I recommend this book to anyone interested in sharing his life along with his faith whether he is going to another country or just being more missional and authentic in his homeland.

# # # 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR. “Thomas Hale III lived twelve years in Nepal and India as the son of missionary doctors. He worked nineteen years in the former Soviet Union, ten of those in NGO leadership.” He is an alumni of Global Opportunities training course. Authentic Lives is available from William Carey Library and Amazon 

T H E   E N D

  • Narrow and deep dive into identity in intercultural ministry
  • Serious evaluation of all sides of the issue. Sincere, honest questioning.
  • Theological and heavy at times. Not for everyone.
  • Useful index and bibliography
  • The last section goes into the broader theme of an understanding of the theology of work which puts things in context. Easier reading and worth studying, even if one does not finish the earlier parts.
  • Not dogmatic about one positon or the other. Simply points out the strengths and weaknesses of each. While the author does reveal his preferences, he holds other positions in respect. He also recognizes that different roles are better for different personalities and different contexts.
  • Explores both the theology, sociology and political aspects of each position.
  • Creates a fictitious state of “Almoria” which is a composite of real places and people who have been engaged in tentmaking in less than inviting contexts.
  • Importance of support groups and what a healthy one looks like.
  • Brings scripture to bear on the issue. Ethics.
  • Pros and cons from both sides and the effects and unintended consequences of each choice on each of the parties involved.
  • Biblical characters including Daniel, Esther,
  • CORE identity
  • Culture worldview perception
  • Hidden identity
  • P. 151 advocates being a disciple teaching all things of life, rather than focus on specific activities

MOST IMPORTANT STATEMENT: “In summary, the best way for a sent one to avoid a hidden identity in Almoria is to adapt purpose, metaphor, and motivation such that nothing needs to be hidden.” Pg. 72. Be who God made you to be. Be Authentic.

What Can Tentmakers Learn from a Shoe Salesman?

/ Phill

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The Zappos online shoe company has been a growth phenomenon and the object of many business school case studies. Everyone wants to know what makes them tick and how they have managed to stand out and be so outrageously successful where so many others have failed.

Founder and CEO Tony Hsieh credits the company core values for their success. They capture the heart and soul of the company and define the way associates relate to each other, to their clients, and to the world.

Zappos calls their values – Family Core Values. Everyone in the company knows the values and is accountable to practice them in every aspect of their work. Even the customers know the values because they are included on every web page and shared in other communications to them. Expectations are set.

There is nothing spiritual about what they do. They sell shoes, make money (lots of it), and develop a loyal customer following along the way.

It is instructive to look at their values. Is there anything here that can also apply to your ministry or business?

Zappos commitment: as we grow as a company, it has become more and more important to explicitly define the core values from which we develop our culture, our brand, and our business strategies. These are the ten core values that we live by:

  • Deliver WOW through service
  • Embrace and drive change
  • Create fun and a little weirdness
  • Be adventurous, creative, and open-minded
  • Pursue growth and learning
  • Build open and honest relationships with communication
  • Build a positive team and family spirit
  • Do more with less
  • Be passionate and determined
  • Be humble

Many of these are surprisingly biblical and could be applied to a tentmaker on the field.

These may not be the values you want for your business/ministry, but it is important for a tentmaker to take some time and figure out what his values are. A tentmaker needs to have a set of core principles which characterize his work and life.

You may not want to be so ambitious. Start with 2 – 4 biblical guiding principles or values that you want to characterize your ministry. Find ways to integrate them into your everyday activities. It should not be something that is added on to what you are doing but something that is blended into what you are already doing. Demonstrate Christ’s love naturally through the way you interact with others.

In the case of Zappos we are looking at a company, so one might think the principle only applies to tentmakers doing business as mission. Actually, it can also help an employee tentmaker be more focused on the purpose for being a tentmaker and help in evaluating his own effectiveness.

By focusing on a few core values the tentmaker will have stronger relationships and show a consistent message. 

Strategic Hospitality

/ Phill

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“Hospitality is the key to evangelism in the 21st century,” according to Steve Childers, an evangelism trainer for North America. He was speaking in the context of North America, where people no longer gather in stadiums and street corners to listen to preaching.

He may well be right. Hospitality as a strategic approach actually reaches beyond the shores of the western world. It is at least one of the keys to effective sharing of the gospel for tentmakers everywhere.

Hospitality refers to the friendly and generous treatment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Scripture has a lot to say about hospitality. It is not a peripheral theme in the New Testament. In fact, it’s a qualification for being an elder:

                 An elder “must be…hospitable” 1Ti 3.2

                 An elder “as God’s steward, must be… hospitable.” Tit 1.8

                 An elder “must be well thought of by outsiders” 1Ti 3.7

We are taught that it is not an option, but is commanded as lifestyle for followers of Christ. Heb 13.1-2 commands, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…”You say it’s not your thing? Get over it!

It should be a natural outflowing of the love that we experienced from God who, “shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We are to love others as Christ loved us.

In Scripture hospitality goes well beyond the “fellowship-type-thing” and reaches out to show love to strangers and those outside our inner circle.

Strategic hospitality asks:

How can I draw the most people into a deep experience of God’s hospitality through the use of my home and relationships? Hospitality is often seen in the context of visiting in a home, or over a meal. Certainly, that is a part of it. But it should not be limited to the home. Our whole life should be characterized by a spirit of caring and generosity, whether at home, or the office, or on the street.

Here are some simple steps to take to begin building the habit of hospitality:

1.       Be intentional in pursuing relationships, including with non-believers

2.       Put it on your calendar

3.       Build relationships with people in places where you spend a lot of time and have natural contacts -neighbors and co-workers

4.       Build relationships through connections in your children’s activities

5.       Take up a hobby that opens up relationships with non-believers

6.       Pray for unbelievers in your life by name

One does not have to go overseas to start practicing strategic hospitality. Start developing the skill now and it will serve you well in the future.

Tentmakers Need Member Care Too

/ Phill

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One question that comes up in every training at Global Opportunities is whether it is better for tentmakers to go alone, or as part of either a team or under the auspices of an agency/mission. GO has a training session dedicated to looking at the pros and cons of the options. There is no one right answer.

One of the reasons this comes up is the consciousness that very few can really “go it alone”. Everyone needs a support group backing them up and providing a “safety net”. Many of these needs can be lumped together under the term, member care. Most agencies have well established member care practices as a part of their HR department staff support.

Member care can be different from organization to organization but it usually includes many, if not all, of the functions of: medical support or insurance, social and emotional support to confront the challenges that come when working away from family and home in a strange culture, help with children’s education, counseling as needed, assistance with the logistics of living overseas, etc. Many also provide assistance with re-entry and re-integration back into ones home country after years of living away.

It is also important to know that one is part of a bigger purpose working with a team of like-minded people.

These are normal human needs and when one is part of a mission agency, it is assumed they will have programs in place to care for their staff. But what happens for the tentmaker who is not a part of a sending agency. Whether they will be an employee or doing Business as Mission, tentmakers need to plan how to meet their member care needs.

Resources are available for these individuals, but they are harder to find. GO strongly recommends that every tentmaker have a sending base or group. This may come from their local church or a group of supporting friends.

Not everyone needs the same kinds of member care. Each prospective tentmaker needs to evaluate what support they will need and find a way to fill that need, as they make their plans to go. There are some caring services that attend to the needs of unaffiliated families and individuals.

Taking the GO Equipped course will help the prospective tentmaker identify needs and think through the process of what member care they need. While GO does not provide all the services, we walk alongside our alumni and mentor them in finding the right match for their needs.

Planning for care needs should be a part of every tentmakers preparation.