Too often I hear people say that tentmaking can’t work. A person who works all day at his job will not be able to do an adequate job of ministry in his remaining hours of the day. “He will burn out.” 

They liken it to the image of a person who is burning his candle at both ends. It just isn’t practical, they say. The problem is that they do not have a proper understanding of the ministry (role) of a tentmaker. 

• Bring the presence of the Kingdom of God to people who have not experienced it. 
• Build relationships. 
• Show God’s love and his desire (plan) for all mankind. 

Properly understood tentmaking, or disciple-making, if you prefer, is a natural outcome of living out your faith intentionally. Several years back I came across a video on disciple-making which makes it so clear. I recommend watching and listening carefully to understand what the teachers are saying. 

From a Mindset of Additional, to Intentional 

Too often we overcomplicate things. Sharing one’s faith should be as natural as eating ice cream. As Ceasar Kowlinowski says in the video, “We need to move from a mindset of additional to one of intentional.” It is the practice of letting Christ shine through in the rhythm of things we do every day anyway. 

The presenters suggest 6 areas of life where we can impact for the Gospel through our mere presence. We already do these things. We just need to be intentional about glorifying God as we do them. “Not additional, intentional.”  

Rhythms of Life 

You are already doing these rhythms of life. Recognize them and fit them into your life: 

• Know the story – we all have a story, but is it part of God’s story? 
• Celebrate – life is lived in a rhythm of celebration, so we need to join those celebrations and bring the “better wine.”  
• Listen – we are always listening to someone, but are we listening to God? 
• Bless – ask the spirit who in your life you can bless each week through word, action, or gift. 
• Eat – we’re already eating 21 meals per week. Use some of those to connect with people to make disciples. We’re eating anyway, let’s eat with intention. 
• ReCreate – rest in Christ’s completed work, and out of that we create beauty. 

I hope by now you are anxious to know what I am talking about and take a few minutes to watch the video. If you don’t have 15 minutes, start from 3:50 to 9:00. https://vergenetwork.org/lp/top-3-disciplemaking-barriers/?inf_contact_key=ed88d79808cedd32ff8a6266662490cd 

Let me add one more to the list. Show up at work and work as unto the Lord. This is where you spend the greatest amount of your time. It is also the place where you are most likely to run into people you will not meet at church. It is where the leaven of the Kingdom of God will have its greatest effect.  

You Already Have What It Takes 

Wait a minute. What’s so special about what Ceasar is saying? There are no special techniques to win people over. There is no intensive Bible School training required. In fact, just about every believer could do this today. BINGO! You got it. But are they? More importantly, are YOU? You may not be called to go overseas and to cross cultural barriers, but you too can be a disciple maker. What’s more, you don’t have to give up your vocation and the things you normally do to become one. 

BUT WAIT… there’s more. What if you heard a small whisper to go tell the nations and you thought it was too big a step? Or, have you wondered what it would be like to live in another part of the world where life is different?  

The Challenge 

Do you have what it takes? Curious? Global InTENT-USA has a 1-minute online assessment to see if you have the right stuff. I dare you to check it out at this LINK. 

By Phill Sandahl