Tentmaking, Platform Ministries
and NGO’s
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
“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
Topics to be discussed
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Tentmaking
Platform Ministries
Non-Standard Mission Structures
NGOs
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
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.
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.”
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.
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
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
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
Platform Ministries
• Legitimate as any other spiritual ministry
• Why do we need a platform?
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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
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
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 lawsuits 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
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
NGO’s (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
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.