Tentmaking Resource Directory

TMQ Research
Don Hamilton
312 Melcanyon Road
Duarte, CA 91010

(626) 359-4048

SURVEY REVEALS BEST TRAITS FOR TENTMAKERS

Here's a great little study reported by Tim Parker tparker@teamexpansion.org, the Tentmaking Coordinator for Team Expansion. According to Tim, Don Hamilton (of TMQ Research) recently completed a survey among some 800 people who are serving or have served overseas in a tentmaking capacity. The study revealed that the most effective tentmakers...

• had led an evangelistic bible study before going overseas.
• went overseas mainly to share the gospel.
• believed God called them to be tentmakers.
• had experience in actively sharing their faith at home.
• had strong relationships with their local home church.
• recruited others to be tentmakers.

For further information on the survey, or for a copy of the full report ($10), Tim said we could write directly to Don Hamilton, TMQ Research, 312 Melcanyon Road, Duarte, CA 91010, (626) 359-4048. (No email given.) Tim cited the info. with permission from the Canadian Tentmaker Network/Southern Ontario Tentmaker Seminar Workbook). Thanks Tim!

http://www.mfinder.org
If you haven't found your way to the Mission Finders web site yet then you need to check it out (see above). Brigada Today recently profiled two major directories of mission opportunities (one a listing of YWAM short- term outreaches and the other a listing of opportunities available in Christian orphanages). Both of these are to be found on the Mission Finder web site. In addition to this the site contains opportunities for tentmakers, information on mission training and short term opportunities as well as major section on mission resources (travel, insurance, FAQs about missions, links to other mission job lists etc.). This one certainly merits a bookmark and regular visits.

You might not have heard of my latest project which is at www.tentmakernet.com

We are mobilizing Europeans to train and send out tentmakers. Tentmakernet will provide ongoing communication between national reps and provide them with the needed training materials.

Tentmakernet works with the blessing of existing agencies and organizations like TIE, Intent and GlobalOpportunities and others. We are not a competing but rather a complementing virtual network of enablers.

As you can see, Finland and just yesterday, Norway are leading the way. The rest should be onboard within the next few years.

Blessings,

AJ Rocklin
aj@tentmakernet.com

Tentmaking Missionaries -- Principles of Business and Employment for our Lord Jesus Christ

This practical guide to tentmaking, especially establishing tentmaking businesses, covers:

- principles, ethics and dangers of tentmaking
- organizing a tentmaking team
- successful businesses for church planting
- self-evaluation for business
- business plan and planning charts

"Having both started businesses and planted churches in restricted access nations I can highly recommend the booklet "Tentmaking Missionaries". It is extremely practical. It will help anyone considering serving in a restricted access nation to think through issues and problems they should prepare for before heading overseas." Brother Robert

US$6.50 Seamail: US$1.50 Airmail US$3.00 UK: £3.50 Post £0.50
Available from the Missionary Training Service:

The Missionary Training Service
Ian Benson
Flat 5, 40 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6BS
United Kingdom

Tel./Fax. National: 020 7932 0728
International: +44 20 7932 0728
E-mail: coord@missionarytraining.org
Web pages: http://www.missionarytraining.org

http://www.aboutmissions.com/products/teachRes.htm

A Guide to Effective Tentmaking (2nd Ed)
Edited by Jonathan Lewis

This is the standard work on Tentmaking. A superb collection of essays on effective tentmaking by experienced and knowledgeable missions specialists from around the world. 13 chapters give you the "A to Z" of tentmaking. $16 per copy. Manual format. 194 pages. (WYWN)

http://www.gospelcom.net/awm/resource.htm
To Order Videos: Call 1-800-447-3566, ext 7310
or e-mail: videos@awm.org

Books on Tentmaking:

God's New Envoys
Tetsunao Yamamori, Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1987.
Many countries in the world are closed to "traditional" missionary work. Yamamori presents the challenge and the strategies to reach these 3.5 billion unreached people.

Tentmakers Speak
Don Hamilton, Duarte, CA: TMQ Research, 1987.
After detailed research among tentmakers from all over the world, Hamilton compiles their thoughts, feelings, and insights on tentmaking into a very readable format. A must for those considering tentmaking ministry.

Working Your Way to the Nations: A Guide to Effective Tentmaking
Jonathan Lewis, editor, Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1993.

This manual is an outstanding resource for Tentmakers and those considering tentmaking. In a workbook style, the manual addresses topics like: what it takes to be a tentmaker, spiritual readiness for cross-cultural ministry, personal preparation, evangelism and discipleship skills, field dynamics, intercultural adjustments, and accountability structures.

Web-Watch -- Have you visited http://www.scruples.org ???
Wow! Talk about a page! This site has something for everyone . . . especially tentmakers. Dozens of links . . . and lots of annotated content. Some classy stuff. For example, there's the Scruples Business and Missions Page at http://www.scruples.org/bizetmiz/ which is apparently a ministry of YWAM, British Columbia. Top notch stuff.

Scruples Upgrades The Business And Missions Page

Check out the upgraded information at Scruples Business and Missions Page www.scruples.org/bizetmiz/. There's a Directory of over 135 Organizations that have ministry or mission opportunities for Christians in the Marketplace from tentmaking positions to micro enterprise development initiatives, an ANNOTATED Bibliography of Business and Missions resources with over 125 sources (articles, books, research papers, videos, web sites and much more). There are also archives of the Scruples Business and Missions Newsletter, a Calendar of Events which features upcoming training seminars and conferences for Business and Missions, and even a Discussion Forum! Check it out!

A Reprinted Resource For Tentmakers -- Worldwide Evangelization for Christ, http://www.hwcn.org/link/wec/index.html , has just reprinted Avoiding the Tentmaker Trap. It is a book written by a WEC tentmaker and deals with tentmakers' problems faced before, during and after their careers. Though not an academic work, TV Thomas wrote of the first edition: "I wish I would have read the book before I prepared and presented my paper at Strategy '97 in Calgary."

Intensive 4 1/2 day training in integrating work and witness in order to make disciples in needy cultures. Designed both for those going and those considering tentmaking, this unique program helps you prepare to be effective overseas.. Topics include Biblical and contemporary rationale, the international job market, job acquisition, workplace evangelism, evangelistic Bible studies, church planting, cross-cultural bonding, team building, and home church relationship. Inexpensive housing and meals are available at the US Center for World Mission.

To register or learn more, check out Global Opportunities on the web
at http://www.globalopps.org/
or email <ltn@globalopps.org>
tel. (626)398-2393.

http://www.egroups.com/messages/GOWorld

Free Tentmaking Periodical Via Email
GO World is the only periodical that focuses on tentmaking - it's power, challenges, successes, impact and questions. Each quarterly issue contains tentmaker stories, articles on tentmaking and missions, a country profile, and highlights of God's work in the world. Now you can subscribe to the email text only version for free.
http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/GOWorld

Of course you can also go to the Global Opportunities website and subscribe to the hardcopy version, but note that it is free to US residents only. For more info contact <info@globalopps.org>
or visit http://www.globalopps.org

There are nine booklets in the current Missionary Training Service series are available. Jim Yost in Indonesia says, "well refined, concise, practical and easily applicable anywhere." Included: The Missionary Training Guide, Unreached Peoples of the World, The Missionary Team, How to make Disciples in Other Cultures, How to Learn Another Language, The Effective Sending Church, Tentmaking Missionaries, Evangelizing Muslims, Evangelizing Hindus and Buddhists.

To order or for more info, contact Ian Benson
<coord@missionarytraining.org>.