Your weekly dose of inspiration, resources, and insights designed for bivocational pastors and church leaders.

Hey there, fellow Tentmakers.

Can I just be real for a minute?

I absolutely love this community.

The passion, dedication, and just sheer determination is SO inspiring.

And being able to encourage you along the way is the highlight of my week.

Today’s issue is all about some of the surprising benefits of being a tentmaker.

And make sure to keep your eyes peeled for next week’s newsletter as we will unpack some of the challenges that tentmaking can bring.

Enjoy,

Jeremy

💪 The Bivocational Edge: The Top Five Benefits of Tentmaking

You're not just juggling two roles—you're seamlessly blending two worlds. And while it’s not always easy, there are undeniable advantages to wearing both hats.

Here are four big ones:

1 - Financial Breathing Room

Having that second income stream isn’t just a personal perk (which it IS). A significant chunk of most church budgets is dedicated to payroll.

When we came off salary from our church several years ago, it helped us survive during the pandemic years when we lost 80% of our giving. It has made us a more resilient church.

So tentmaking can be a huge blessing both to your family and to your church family.

And if you’re considering starting a new church (or looking at church revitalization) I would build this mindset and culture in from the beginning.

2 - A Wealth of Skills

Your day job isn't just a paycheck; it's a treasure trove of experiences and skills.

Whether you’re negotiating in a boardroom or teaching in a classroom, you’re collecting insights that can deeply enrich your ministry.

3 - Relatable Experiences

Being in the trenches of the marketplace means you’re right there with the challenges and triumphs your congregation faces daily.

This shared experience fosters a deep, relatable connection and endears them to you in greater ways.

4 - Empowering & Equipping Others

Being a tentmaker means more opportunities to pass the baton, raise up lay leaders, and allow others to shine.

The result? A stronger, healthier, and more engaged church.

As Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:11-12:

So maybe tentmaking can be a catalyst, providing more opportunities for those in our churches to get off the bench and into the game.

***

As we close out our focus on the incredible advantages of bivocational ministry, it's undeniable that the fusion of two worlds comes with its own set of challenges.

Tentmaking isn't just about reaping the rewards—it's also navigating the unique hurdles that arise.

So, what are these challenges and how do we overcome them? Stay tuned.

In our next newsletter, we'll dive deep into some of the biggest challenges that come with tentmaking and share a few strategies to tackle them head-on.

Until then, Tentmakers, stay strong and continue weaving your two worlds with grace.

See you next week!

💻 Links & Resources

Sermon Series Resources: Our church has used Ministry Pass for years and I highly recommend checking them out. The series graphics are top-notch and I love the yearly preaching calendars. (not sponsored)

Article: Why So Many Americans Have Stopped Going to Church Interesting article I stumbled on. And it’s worth the read. Don’t worry, it’s not all negative. But I do think that church attendance may not be the best metric moving forward to measure church health.

Preaching for a Change by Brandon Cox: I’ve very picky about my inbox and which things I subscribe to, but this is a fantastic newsletter for those in ministry and one that I actually look forward to getting each week. Check it out here. (not sponsored)

📖 Scripture

Acts 20:34-35 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

🚀 How I Can Help?

That’s all for today!

Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways for us to work together:

1. Join our Free FB Group: You don't have to go it alone. Tap into the wisdom of our community with over 2700 like-minded individuals navigating the same journey.

2. Check out the FB Ads Bootcamp - our implementation coaching program that shows you how to manage Facebook Ads for clients, enabling you to build your own highly profitable 'tentmaking' business.

3. Promote your business to 9500+ pastors and church leaders by sponsoring this newsletter. Contact me here.