Tentmakers

May 18, 2007

By James Bevis

“Paul moved in with them, and they worked together at their common trade of tentmaking” (Acts 18:3, The Message).

Paul met Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth and they worked together to support themselves while Paul ministered.

For the past 30 years I have been involved in bivocational ministry. Apparently the apostle Paul was involved in a bivocational ministry at this point in his life. There seem to be quite a few of these ministers today.

As I get older and slower in some ways I look forward to the day I can retire from my secular job with the Department of Correction and work in the ministry fulltime — 31 years in the ministry and 21 in corrections. For now I take strength from the apostle Paul. It seems evident from Scripture he had to work other jobs at least sometimes in his ministry.

Ministers who serve congregations that support them financially are truly blessed. Such a minister should appreciate his or her flock and the congregation should return that appreciation. I just happen to be one who still has to work to support and take care of my family.

I wouldn’t want to be a burden on a small church anyway. I’ve had the privilege of pastoring some of the smallest churches in the country. I’m not discouraged, though. I am confident the Lord opens doors and closes doors as long as we are willing servants open to His will. I am now 55 years old and I look forward to seeing what doors open in the future.

It is comforting, however, when you realize we each have a ministry 24/7. We are called to be salt and light to the world wherever we are. We all can be tentmakers for Jesus!

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16, KJV).

Rev. James Bevis has worked more than 20 years for the Tennessee Department of Correction and currently serves at the Wayne County Boot Camp in Clifton, Tenn.