Tents (Part 2)

Along with desiring to dwell in Lowry and with the people of Lowry, we desire to make a contribution to the culture of Lowry.  Much has been written on the future of the Church in America and the world.  Some see the Church becoming more decentralized in form out of necessity, to focus more on movement, or because of cultural views of institutions.  In many Post- Christian cultures, the local church is shrinking and has no idea of how to change with the times instead of resisting change all the way to the grave.  

In the first century, a great persecution fell upon the church in Jerusalem and sent all but the Apostles to the ends of the earth.  These men and women had normal jobs, lived within the culture and spread the Gospel at a rate that has not been duplicated.  One individual during this time helped the spread of Christianity more than all others.  This man was a tent maker by trade, a Pharisee, by training, and follower of Christ by the grace of God. Acts 18:3 tells us that Paul was a tentmaker and stayed with Priscilla and Aquila because they, too, were tentmakers.  Paul uses tent making to remove the financial burden from the people (1 Thessalonians 2:9), keep the Gospel free (2 Corinthians 6:3), and as entry point to the market place (Acts 17:17).  Our ministry in Lowry will be based on tent making for these same reasons.  

Growing up in the southern church culture, the idea of bi-vocational pastors was reserved for the small town or small churches, and mostly because of finances.  But here, bi-vocational pastors are able to interact with more lost people than full time pastors.  They also have added credibility with non-Christ followers because they are creating culture and working toward the common good.  I will make tents to relieve the financial burden of ministry, so that the Gospel remains free, and as an entry point to the market place.