Date: 28 Oct 2002
Time: 07:09:02
Are there any tentmakers out there? RT in S.C.
Date: 29 Oct 2002
Time: 11:36:32
To RT in SC,
I work 1/2 time (20 hours) for IRS (programming) and 1/2 time (25 hours) for a church. The Presbytery I work in considers 23-28 hours as half time.
Is this tentmaking? Does my experience help with Paul's letter?
We are so used to division-of-labor and experts. The fact that I'm half time perhaps means that I'm not good enough to get a "bigger" church, or that I'm not really dedicated to the cause to trust my whole life to it.
Frankly, I like not depending on the church's salary for my living expenses. I also like that I'm reminded 3 days a week that discipleship is in the everyday of life, not just in the "holiness" times and places.
During Paul's time, I think there may have been a lot of fast talkers out there, Teachers and Sophists, who depended on being supported by others so that they could teach the "Secrets" of life or Eternal Life or Happiness. Like Prof. Harold Hill in the Music Man. Find what people are needing (or make up the need) and have the solution handy for a price.
Paul was not there just to make a living. He wasn't a travelling salesman but someone who was really interested in the welfare of the people who would listen. He ate only for the energy to preach, not preached for the money to buy food.
JLM in Detroit
Date: 30 Oct 2002
Time: 12:47:26
I was a tentmaker for years, and found it easier to relate to the people with among whom I was ministering. And I have always felt chagrined that ever since I went full time, my salary was the largest item in the budget. I do more now in ministry, but I do believe there was a clarity of spirituality that I have been unable to match sense I left tentmaking. ---MM in NY
Date: 30 Oct 2002
Time: 12:49:23
JLM:
Live to preach; preach to live?
Date: 31 Oct 2002
Time: 10:14:58
The labourer (spelt correctly for my American friends) is worthy of his/her hire whether preacher or tentmaker.It is all an attitude of service to God & each other. I spent 7 years making tea bags during the week and preaching on Sundays. Check out the Worker-priest movement. This was fine until Margaret Thatcher did away with work in the 1980s and it was a privilege to have a job at all.
Date: 31 Oct 2002
Time: 17:00:29
I am a tentmaker. I serve a two church charge and feel blessed to have this opportunity. I also teach on the college level. Both environments are blessings. “Consider your own call” was the message delivered to my class as we began licensing school. I have never forgotten those words – it is my call and my blessing. RT in S.C.
Date: 02 Nov 2002
Time: 10:22:58
How does Paul's commending himself and patting his own back as such a dedicated worker correspond to the gospel lection's caution about sounding your own trumpet? tom in TN(USA)