13 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR A TENTMAKING CAREER OVERSEAS
A Christian having an international career does not automatically make him a tentmaker. A tentmaker is a Christ follower with a missionary calling to serve others cross-culturally through his/her profession and make disciples of people who have yet to know Jesus. The dual mandate to serve others through one’s work and to make disciples through one’s witness is why tentmaking is also called bi-vocational missions. Preparing for a tentmaking career overseas will therefore have a professional and a spiritual aspect to it.
Professional Prep Checklist
Career choice – Consider your abilities and interests, what is marketable, can support a family (not just when you are single), and provides a good entry into places of spiritual need. A wise career choice means you are likely to be good at it, and happy doing it. Your career may be your specific calling to live out your faith in the vocational context.
Qualifications – Employers look for education relevant to the job, degrees, professional certifications, two and more years of work experience, and some cross-cultural experience (e.g. short term service/study/internship abroad, community service among internationals). Work on your career development faithfully as a commitment to God’s Kingdom purpose and not as a matter of personal ambition. Be the best you can be in honor of how God has created you.
Work ethic & relationships – As now (at home), so then (overseas). Take your work seriously. Give it your best as unto the Lord. Being a solid professional with good collegial relationships and professional integrity will earn you respect, including respect for your faith as you also respect the beliefs of others in the pluralistic working world. While we believe that Christ is the only way to salvation, our attitude towards others should be one of honor and inclusivity, seeking to listen and understand, not to pontificate nor be quick to judge. Build bridges, not walls.
Language learning– There are jobs for English speakers but learning the local language can contribute significantly to your success as a professional in a cross-cultural environment, endear you to the locals, and grow your intercultural sensitivity for work and ministry. Language learning may not be your strong suit. But any effort made would be appreciated because it shows interest and respect for the culture of others.
Community & networking – Connect with a tentmaking organization or prayer group, get introduced to other tentmakers, receive mentoring, and seek counsel. The fellowship of like-minded professionals will grow your vision so you won’t lose focus. When it is time to look for a job, you will find great help from “friends of friends of friends”, which has proven to be quite productive.
Spiritual Prep Checklist
Your walk with God – Being grounded in the word and in prayer, able to draw strength from your personal relationship with God is critical for missionary life. Your faith support network may not be readily available, and spiritual warfare is real on the field. Proverbs 4:23 (NRSV) says: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. From the life spring within us, we point people to the living water that is Christ Himself.
Sense of self & identity – There may be areas in your life from your family of origin or difficult experiences in your past that need the ongoing redemptive work of the Lord. The stress and strain of the mission field can exacerbate unresolved issues. Having a healthy sense of self and identity in Christ is important. This is why a psychological evaluation is required in candidacy to help assess your readiness for relocation. When you have a consistent walk with God, good support and counsel, existing issues need not prevent you from going overseas.
Relationship with family – A couple should be aligned in calling. A trailing spouse does not make an equally yoked partner in missions. Therefore, if you are still single, a shared calling with your significant other is top priority. Work on your marriage and prioritize family life. A good marriage and healthy family life contributes to the stability and longevity of service. It is also an attractive witness to nonbelievers. As for your parents, wisely share with them your missional aspirations. Allow them time to process it with you, and make arrangements for their care when you’re gone.
Relationship with others – Are you a team player? What do you do when there is conflict? Team building and conflict resolution training are useful skills to have. Team conflict ranks high among the reasons for worker attrition from the field. On the other hand, living in unity and loving harmony with others is a beautiful testament that we are disciples of Jesus.
Relationship with work – Your job is not a mere passport to the mission field. It is just as much the mission. The job is where you meet non-Christians, and live out your Kingdom values and godly character. Embrace your work here and now. Honor God and love others by stewarding your talents and relationships well. Read books, attend workshops, and join support groups to encourage one another to live and work authentically as Christians in the marketplace. Make it a habit that you take with you overseas.
Ministry experience – Know and love God’s word. Live it, teach it, pray it, disciple others in it. The most basic ministry skills you need on the mission field are (1) how to share your personal testimony, free of Christian jargon, in plain newspaper language; (2) how to lead an investigative Bible study (3) how to grow a life of prayer, modeling it for others in all areas of life. The need for theological education depends on the ministry you are called to. E.g. It is important for a church planting lead.
Support team – Grow your support team early on. Let your calling be known to your pastor and trusted friends. Ask for prayer. Keep them updated. Invite them to pray for you, financially support you, visit you, and help you with your home visits. Let the church commission and send you so they will see you as their missionary partner, and not just someone with an international career.
Sending agency – Connect with a sending agency for guidance and mentorship in your preparation for the field. Sending agencies have a vetting and orientation process to assure the individual is ready for launch. They command domain knowledge and field expertise that the sending church may not have. The agency staff can give missionary care, ministry guidance and accountability in partnership with the busy home church pastor and Missions Committee who are half a world away. The agency can also advise and partner with the church to care for you in practical and holistic ways. Fellow tentmakers from the agency can become the new tentmaker’s community and a source of practical help for the newly landed person or family.
The above is not an exhaustive checklist, but it is a good place to start. If you wish to look further, contact us at info@goliveserve.org to schedule a personal conversation with one of our mentors.