Tentmakers: Multivocational Ministry in Western Society
Ebook
Tentmaking is a growing reality in Western society that necessitates more reflection and relevant response from pastoral and mission leaders. The need to consider bivocational or multivocational ministries is catalyzed by established congregations wrestling with decline in attendance, by new immigrant communities looking for sustainable ways to minister, and by misunderstanding or lack of information on the nature of this ministry approach. This need is also triggered by the urgency to address biblical, theological, and pragmatic issues of tentmaking that can forge a way forward for the Canadian church in the midst of an uncertain future.
This volume seeks to forge a way forward as a result of the Canadian Multivocational Ministry Project (CMMP), a qualitative and community-based research project among tentmaking pastoral leaders across Canada. This research partnered with the Wellness Project @ Wycliffe, which uses online questionnaires to assess wellness in congregational ministry. The CMMP research report and the wellness findings form the basis of the multifaceted reflections in the book by Canadian scholars, researchers, and multivocational practitioners. This book offers an accurate pulse of the challenges, opportunities, and future of tentmaking in relation to Christianity and the church in these uncertain times.
“Tentmakers is a timely, insightful volume demonstrating the benefit of collaborative research and scholarship in a multidenominational context. The outcome is a collection of insights to spark innovation and understanding among church leadership and congregations, while also providing scholars with an abundance of research questions to continue exploring. That this book is targeted to the Canadian context is an added benefit for Canada, without diminishing its value to the broader church community.”
—Marjory Kerr, Tyndale University
“The church needs more resources that helpfully combine social-scientific research, theological reflection, and practical application. This is one such book! All univocational and multivocational church leaders, their spouses (if applicable), and denominational leaders ought to read this work. Readers will discover—and hopefully appreciate—data-driven findings, stories, and experiences of the benefits and manageable challenges associated with multivocational ministry, and a healthier and robust framing for a flourishing multivocational ministry and life.”
—Joel Thiessen, Ambrose University
“In Tentmakers, a fantastic team of contributors share their particular expertise in the area of multivocational church planting. They provide a strong biblical foundation, as well as practical advice for navigating the unique challenges associated with multivocational planting. This book will be a significant contribution to the conversation around the necessity of multivocational ministry.”
—Brad Brisco, director of bivocational church planting, North American Mission Board
- Title: Tentmakers: Multivocational Ministry in Western Society
- Authors: Narry F. Santos, Jeff Christopherson, James W. Watson
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666739992, 9781666739985, 1666739987, 9781666739978, 1666739979, 1666739995
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666739992
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-04T21:35:16Z
James W. Watson is corps health and planting consultant for The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda and an instructor at Tyndale University.
Narry F. Santos is assistant professor of Christian ministry and intercultural leadership at Tyndale University and senior pastor at Greenhills Christian Fellowship (Peel and York).