To Understand Key Tentmaking Terms, Here is Your Rosetta Stone:

Tentmaking Rosetta Stone

Tentmaking: The Life and Work of Business as Missions (abbreviated as Tentmaking throughout the rest of the document) was originally published in 2005. There have not been any revisions of the book since then, even though much has changed in the understanding of the terms used throughout the book. This document is an attempt to help the reader correctly map the language of Tentmaking to the current Business as Missions lexicon (this lexicon is based on OPEN’s current use and understanding of the terms which have mostly been adopted by the Lausanne Conference community and Business as Mission network). 

Tentmaking (Tentmaker)

Original Use

“Tentmaking” was formerly used to describe anyone working cross-culturally in the marketplace for the purposes of bringing spiritual and economic transformation to their community. 

Current Use

“Tentmaking” is now defined as a subset of its previous definition. Anyone who earns 100% of their income from their cross-cultural work is considered to be a tentmaker. This means that the primary distinction of the term now is related to funding source.

Replacement Term(s) or Concept(s)

There is no direct replacement for the original meaning of the word “tentmaking.” The most similar idea is “Business as Mission” (BAM). Whenever Tentmaking references any form of the word “tentmaking,” think “BAM” done by cross-cultural workers. 

Missionary

Original Use

“Missionary” was formerly used to describe anyone doing any kind of cross-cultural work for the purposes of reaching the lost with the Gospel. This included the work of B4T. 

Current Use

“Missionary” is now understood as being distinct from the work of B4T. Often these are people who are specifically focused on church planting and other cross-cultural activities that require 100% donor funding.

Replacement Term(s) or Concept(s)

Most often “missionaries” are referred to as “traditional workers” or “regular workers.” B4T Workers are NOT missionaries. 

Also related to this, in Tentmaking, BAM/Tentmaking work is described as being less effective in reaching unreached peoples when compared to traditional work. However, more recent research done by Steve Rundle has shown this to be untrue. BAM/Tentmaking efforts are at least as effective, and in the majority of cases even more effective in church planting than traditional efforts. 

Ministry

Original Use

“Ministry” is used in Tentmaking to describe any kind of spiritual service historically done by agents of the Church for purposes directly tied to building up the Church. It is most often used to distinguish between “God’s work” and everything else. 

Current Use

“Ministry” has an expanded definition now to include things not formally understood as ministry. Working real jobs for the glory of God is a means of ministry since all work is an act of service to God, for the common good of the people. 

Replacement Term(s) or Concept(s)

There are two streams of use (or non-use) for the word “ministry” now. Either it is completely replaced by forms of the word “service” or it is used liberally and applied to all types of work and vocations equally. In either case, the idea is that wherever our language has been historically used to advance an unbiblical mindset that positions some things as sacred and some things as secular, new uses of language must be instituted to reinforce the holistic and biblical idea of work. As an example, phrases like “full-time ministry” and “full-time Christian worker” are no longer used since they reinforce an unbiblical mindset. There is no sacred/secular divide for believers. All work is sacred to God. All professions are from Him and for Him. All of life should be considered ministry for the believer. We are all full-time Christians! 

Also, OPEN has begun using the word “worKship” to help convey the biblical understanding of work as it really is—an activity God receives as worship!

Business as Missions (BAM)

Original Use

BAM was used throughout Tentmaking as a synonym of the word “tentmaking.” Anyone doing cross-cultural work in the marketplace to bring spiritual and economic transformation was thought to be doing BAM.

Current Use

The definition of BAM has widened to include any Kingdom work done in marketplaces anywhere around the world and not specifically cross-cultural work. As long as there are poor and spiritually needy people benefitting from the business or life of the professional, it is BAM work. BAM efforts tend to focus on four areas of transformation in the communities where they exist: spiritual, economic, social, environmental. 

Replacement Term(s) or Concept(s)

BAM has become the wider umbrella term that encompasses all the work of both Tentmaking and Business for Transformation (B4T). BAM can be done among unreached peoples or among reached peoples. BAM can be done by people making 100% of their income from their work or by people with diverse income sources. 

See the below diagram for current understanding of these terms.

Other Important Terms to Know

B4T (Business for Transformation). Businesses striving for profitability and sustainability, which are strategically placed in unreached areas. B4T businesses create jobs and bless the local community in Jesus’ name—generally through transformation, and specifically through evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. B4T Businesses are held accountable to two bottom lines: spiritual and economic impact in the local community.

BAM (Business as Mission). Business as Mission is a term being used in Christian circles to describe the integration of spiritual goals and business goals to make an impact for God’s Kingdom. As a strategy, BAM generally describes any for-profit business endeavor that seeks to reach people and communities for the glory of God and is not supported by donor funds.

Bi-vocational. Someone who works two jobs, often one as a paid worker and one as a volunteer worker or supported by donors—not a B4T worker.

Transformation. Referring to impacting a community in four measurable ways: spiritually, economically, socially, and environmentally.

Missionary. Someone who is paid or supported by churches and donors to serve God in another culture.

NGO (Non-Governmental Organization). An organization that is not government-sponsored, but is a non-profit charity. Christian organizations have multiple NGOs which do a variety of services, including providing medical services, education, job training, or giving aid to the poor. Many micro-enterprise development projects are also NGOs.

Platform. Often refers to a business identity used by a worker/missionary as a means of legitimizing his/her presence and work among people in limited access contexts. In many cases these businesses are paper fronts or do not produce a profit. The worker is heavily dependent on donor funds. OPEN USA does not endorse platform strategies.

10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window forms a band encompassing Saharan and Northern Africa, as well as almost all of Asia (West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and much of Southeast Asia). Roughly two-thirds of the world’s population lives in the 10/40 Window. This Window is populated by people who are predominantly Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Animist, Jewish, or atheist.

Tentmaker. A believer who intentionally takes a job with a company in another culture, is fully supported by that job, and strives to witness cross-culturally.

Worker / Cross-Cultural Worker. Someone called to serve Jesus outside of his/her home culture.

Lesson Activity

Homework for Tentmaking Rosetta Stone:

• After Reading the above "Tentmaking Rosetta Stone," complete the Personal Responses below.