Tentmaker Myths and half-truths:

I was talking with a sincere believer who opposed the idea of having tentmakers. This person raised several objections based on a false understanding of what tentmaking is or should be. Sadly, many of her concerns were based on cases she knew where people calling themselves tentmakers followed these practices.

Myths

• Tentmakers do not listen to the nationals and learn from them. Tentmakers are invited to their host country because of their expertise or skill the country needs more of. However, to apply their specialty they first have to become learners of the of the context and culture of their hosts. They should approach their responsibility as learners. They need to understand the people and context before they can share their expertise. Good tentmakers follow this principle.

Martha’s story of how she overcame obstacles and moved ahead with her life after losing her husband is instructive. The time proven principles she used can be applied to a tentmaker seeking God’s direction in his life as well.

Martha was a successful business woman for many years and used these principles to guide her work. When she lost her husband things seemed to come unglued for a time. Then she re-focused on what had worked in the past. It all started to come together.

Accept Responsibility

In addition to faith, prayer, and Bible study, she took actions to get where God wanted to use her. Her process was simple:

Open Network Latin America is holding a regional gathering in Uruguay next month. Believers interested in seeing businesses help build the Kingdom of God will want to attend. Save the dates 4 thru 6 November to be in Montevideo for the event.

Open Network Latin America realizará un encuentro regional en Uruguay el próximo mes. Los creyentes interesados en ver negocios que ayuden a construir el Reino de Dios querrán asistir. Reserve las fechas del 4 al 6 de noviembre para estar en Montevideo para el evento.

Open Network was established to support B4T practitioners for mobilization and mutual assistance. They help entrepreneurs use their business skills and resources for ministry. B4T is a special sub-group of the Business as Mission (BAM) community.

Open Network se estableció para apoyar a los profesionales de B4T para la movilización y la asistencia mutua. Ayudan a los empresarios a usar sus habilidades comerciales y recursos para el ministerio. B4T es un subgrupo especial de la comunidad Business as Mission (BAM).

Tentmaking is a lifestyle more than a methodology. Effective tentmakers live a life that shows they are followers of Jesus. This leads those around them to want to know more about their Jesus.

How?

James Clear in his best-seller book Atomic Habits shows how habits, once established seem to stick around forever. He describes a habit as “a routine or behavior that is performed regularly – and, in many cases automatically.”

Clear’s book reveals his discoveries about building good habits. His breakthrough discovery was:

“…my results had very little to do with the goals I set and nearly everything to do with the systems I followed… Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results… If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system.”

In other words, a key to living the effective lifestyle is to develop good practices, or habits.