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Tentmakers: Combining Calls and Careers

Deborah A. Bruce, Research Services Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, Kentucky

At the request of the Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers, Research Services recently surveyed the denomination's tentmakers--those ministers who serve a congregation, usually part-time, while at the same time pursuing a second career. Here's what we learned about the 109 tentmakers who returned surveys:

Who Are Tentmakers?

A large majority of respondents are male (86 percent). Six in ten are over the age of 50. One-half were ordained in the 1960s or 1970s, one-third were ordained more recently, and the remainder were ordained before 1960. The largest percentage of respondents (56 percent) reported that they are currently serving in either "open country" or towns with populations of under 5,000. Another 26 percent serve in small or medium-size cities (with populations up to 250,000). Few serve in large cities (10 percent) or in suburbs (9 percent).

Current Call and Current "Tent"

Most (69 percent) have been in tentmaking ministry for 15 years or less--in fact, one-quarter have been in the field for no more than five years. A large majority indicated that they were ordained ministers before they became tentmakers; one-quarter started in their other careers first; and the remaining 10 percent started in both fields at the same time. Six in ten had previous ministry/"tent" combinations in the past.

The largest group of respondents (43 percent) indicated that they are currently serving as solo pastor. About 29 percent serve in some other pastoral position (including stated supply, interim pastor, and associate pastor). Two in ten reported that they are not currently serving as tentmakers (and were excluded from most other analyses). Almost all of those who are currently tentmakers are in part-time calls--most work one-quarter to one-half time. On average, tentmakers work about 20 hours in their current call.

In contrast to the part-time nature of most tentmakers' current calls, most "tents" are closer to full-time. Six in ten work more than 30 hours per week in their other position(s). (About half work in more than one other position.) Combined, the average work week of tentmakers is about 55 hours. Tentmakers typically serve in non-ministry professional positions (43 percent do) or in other ministry positions (17 percent, including pastoral counseling and chaplain).

Choosing Tentmaking

Of seven possible reasons for getting involved in tentmaking, three are key: "it allows me to pursue other interest or career opportunities" (reported as "very important" by 53 percent of respondents), "I like the idea and intentionally pursued a tentmaking position" (48 percent), and "the opportunity presented itself/it just happened" (42 percent). Three in ten cited "family reasons" or "financial concerns," 21 percent cited emotional burnout in a previous ministry position, and 17 percent cited relocation as "very important" reasons for becoming tentmakers. Thus, it appears that more tentmakers enter the field out of choice, than out of need (whether financial, family, or emotional).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tentmaking

From a list of nine possible advantages of tentmaking, a majority cited five as important to them: serving congregations that cannot afford full-time pastors, providing a model of discipleship that fits the lives of members, facilitating greater involvement of laity in the church, obtaining emotional support from secular careers, and the ability to set limits on demands for the pastor's time.

Two of seven possible disadvantages were cited by a majority: occasional time crunches when demands of "tent" and call conflict and a lack of understanding of tentmaking among others in the presbytery.

Satisfaction with Tentmaking

Eight in ten tentmakers reported that they are satisfied with their lives as tentmakers and with the compatibility of their ministry and their "tent." A majority (52 percent) would not return to full-time ministry if given the opportunity, although 29 percent said they might do so at some time in the future.

Congregational Changes

A majority of tentmakers reported that since their congregations became involved in tentmaking there had been an increase in: attendance at worship, laity involvement in the ministry of the congregation, the number of laity involved as worship leaders, elders' involvement in the ministry of the congregation, and the sense of "ownership" by members of the congregation.

Email the author: Deborah A. Bruce

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