Tentmaking, Platform Ministries and NGO

1
Tentmaking, Platform Ministries and NGOs

• With the increased need to get the gospel into
  Restricted Access Countries alternative methods
  for justifying the continuance of missionaries in
  such a country has forced a new model for the
  modern missionary

2
God's New Envoys, Ted Yamamori (Pres. Food for
the Hungry)

• Upwards of 80 of the world population live in
  countries which did not permit the unrestricted
  entry of fully supported traditional
  missionaries. ...Penetration in restricted
  countries is hindered by the growth of more
  militant Islamic states the hardening of
  attitudes in China, despite apparent
  liberalization of economic and political postures
  and resistance to anything that is perceived as
  Western and thereby undermining of their ethnic
  identity

3
Topics to be discussed

• Tentmaking
• Platform Ministries
• Non-Standard Mission Structures
• NGOs

4
Tentmakers

• Receives little or no pay from mother country
• Supports himself through secular work unrelated
  to ministry purpose
• A market-place ministry used by Moravians
• Answer to being allowed to live in restricted
  areas and to better justify residency in a
  country

5
Renewed interest in Tentmaking

• Lausanne II Congress recognized the Tentmaker as
  the front-line of spiritual warfare in
  unreached areas where missionaries forbidden
• For 200 years full-time supported missionaries
  was the norm, if not the spiritual way
• Some are interested because it seems easier than
  having to raise personal support from churches.

6
Definition of Tentmaker

• As Paul made tents to support himself (Acts 18
  and 21)
• William Carey was a Tentmaker-missionary
• Worked in a factory, professor, printer,
  translator
• Support was unreliable for 4-5 mo. travel by sea
• My business is to witness for Christ. I make
  shoes to pay my expenses
• Thus, a Tentmaker uses his professional skills to
  work cross-culturally to model biblical work
  ethic, build relationships, faithfully witness,
  build disciples, facilitate the planting of
  churches with other.

7
Are governments aware of dual purpose?

• When granted a visa they know you are worth
  having in the country
• Visas are granted because of partnership with
  local people whom the government trusts
• Most visas have to be renewed after a few years,
  when your benefit is evaluated
• As long as people are benefited and embarrassing
  situations do not occur one is accepted.

8
Types of Tentmakers

• Ideally the vocation provides multiple contacts
  to witness on-the-job
• Most Tentmakers have to raise their support
• Employees of companies are assigned a task and
  location for the benefit of the company
• Christian consultants for special skills
• Entrepreneurial businesses

9
Mission Board Relationships

• No requirement to be part of a mission agency
• This may be a negative connotation
• Agencies form separate non-profit business shell
  to replicate in-country
• Nonresidential missionary become an itinerating
  trainer, facilitator and strategic coordinator

10
Essential skill of the Tentmaker

• Strong Bible study skills and facilitator for a
  Socratic-type Bible study group for evangelism
  and discipleship
• Being a good example (presence evangelism)
  never led anyone to Christ!
• Must know how to answer questions on difference
  of religions, philosophy, beliefs, etc.
• Must be unashamed about witnessing

11
Platform Ministries

• Legitimate as any other spiritual ministry
• Why do we need a platform?
• Accessibility reason for entering
• Legitimacy reason for staying
• Identity right to be heard
• Strategic viability basis of relationship
• Integrity witness for discipling
• Businesses that benefit the community are a
  bridge
• Usually used where missionary visas are
  unavailable
• It is a high-risk, entrepreneurial venture with
  many failures

12
Types of platform ministries

1. Becoming a student in a state university studying
   language and culture
2. Tourist with a multi-entre visa (6 mo. Max)
3. Educators, esp. TESL or Microsoft Instructor
4. Sports trainer (esp. basketball, volleyball,
   track) sports most countries are weak
5. Business start-up very difficult due to
   different laws of accounting, labor, ethics,
   taxes and competition

13
Challenges to Tentmaker/Platforms

• Difficult for American churches to accept
• If you make any money, people think you make a
  lot of money.
• Not a utopia. Mistakes in business mean law-suits
  and enormous payouts.
• Witnessing may ruin business, cause revolt
• Overseas employment may last 2 years
• Time demands on business can be overwhelming
• Can be accused of being a missionary in disguise

14
Ethics of Tentmaker/Platforms

• Is it ethical to present yourself as a
  businessman?
• Coming from US to live in 3rd world is either to
  make money or do Christian work to proselyte
• CAN (Creative Access Nation) know what you are
  doing
• The key is how do you propose to benefit them
• Only in the West are clergy not suppose to work
• Tentmakers may be illegal but not unethical
• Governments do not determine ethics
• When prohibited to witness, disobedience is
  ethical

15
NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization)

• A private institution independent of the
  government, usually funded by global north to
  service or benefit a nation
• Approximately 40,000 US NGOs, but thousand more
  from other countries
• Have taught democracy, battled diseases, human
  rights, education, improved standard of living
• Often a front for innumerable purposes

16
Effect of Tentmaking/Platforms

• In 1999 there were 3,200 agency-supported
  Tentmakers
• When platforms are developed to fit the purpose
  of the mission they are effective
• May not be too necessary in the midst of an CPM
• Ineffective when the platform becomes the end
  objective, instead of the means to an end
• It is the only means that is unlimited or
  restricted by money needs. Anyone can do it.