Tent Making: Month 1

Today marks the 1 Month milestone of the Interim Lead Pastor position for Tripp as a tent maker.

There are many examples of Tent Making in ministry and international outreach. Generally the equation includes commitment to ministry with little or no pay + working a job to provide support. Tent Making is not superior to full-time or part-time paid ministry, we're just encouraged to see it's not inferior (or impossible).

Paul modeled Tent Making in Acts 18:1-5 (ESV)

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wifePriscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

In theory, we value this model. Time will tell, whether or not this model is advisable to a young urban family. For now you may ask...

So, how's it going? 

After once month, Tripp and I both see God's leading in his life. Tripp enjoys teaching on Sunday mornings and so far congregants have shared that it's enjoyable to listen. From here, it's going to be a temptation to judge Tripp's call by the amount of filled chairs. Pray for us. Pray that God would give us more faith to trust Him.

Romans 12:3 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

How is your family doing? 

We're doing pretty well! Thankfully, God has been providing people to lead where we should not, and they are excelling beyond what we could have asked. Yesterday, we officially called a break for Tuesday Root Group. It's going to be up to me to redirect energy back into my family during the day. Training and discipline needs to happen for both the kids and myself and I'm seeing this as an opportunity to refocus. This is not my favorite parenting area.