IN REVIEW

Tentmakers: Multivocational Ministry in Western Society

REVIEW BY LT-COLONEL ANDREW MORGAN

Tentmakers: Multivocational Ministry in Western Society is a thought-provoking compilation birthed from the Canadian Multivocational Ministry Project (CMMP). The CMMP is a multi-denominational and multi-agency research project examining patterns of ministry that combine paid and unpaid leadership responsibilities in Canadian churches.

This theologically grounded research examines the societal trends that negatively affect personal belief and participation in religious organizations. Pastoral leaders and church planters today find it challenging to recreate the economic model of a bygone era when the pastor’s full-time ministry costs were supported by the church they pastored. Today, more and more clergy are finding themselves to be “multivocational” pastors.

Salvationists who read this book will be both encouraged and challenged. Many will recognize co-editor Dr. James Watson, corps health and planting consultant in the corps mission resource department at territorial headquarters, and contributors such as Dr. James Pedlar, theologian and professor at Toronto’s Tyndale University, and Major (Dr.) Michael Puddicombe, corps officer, Burlington Community Church, Ont. These are individuals who have helped articulate how a paradigm of Salvation Army leadership structure has facilitated historic ministry success.

In his chapter, Major Puddicombe describes the corps officer who, rather than needing to seek supportive secular employment (i.e., multivocational or “tentmaking”), pours their energies into the other ministry roles such as director of family services, leading various social outreach programs or even managing a thrift store. While some Salvation Army officers might disparage their multi-role responsibilities, ministers in other denominations dream of an opportunity for ministry and an economic model that facilitates community engagement and transformational impact typical of The Salvation Army.

This book encourages the Salvationist reader as we grapple with the societal challenges for religious organizations today, knowing that we have a historic ministry model that continues to equip us to be a transforming influence in our communities. Also enlightening are the considerations of a pastor’s role as a ministry or a career, and the place of sabbath rest in multivocational ministry. The book’s helpful reflection questions challenge us to consider our missional approach. Tentmakers could be used as a thought-provoking text in a group study setting, and though it may seem academic in tone, the benefit of the work is well worth the reader’s investment in engagement and reflection.

Tentmakers is available to purchase on Amazon.

Lt-Colonel (Dr.) Andrew Morgan is a Canadian officer currently appointed as officer commanding of the Italy and Greece Command. 

NEW & NOTABLE

Fully Scored

UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND TERRITORY

Fully Scored, hosted by Matthew Frost and produced by the music editorial department of The Salvation Army’s United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, is a podcast for Salvationists and brass band lovers. Each episode features a musical arrangement and interviews with diverse musicians such as the International Staff Band’s principal cornet, Gavin Lamplough, Canadian Staff Bandmaster John Lam and Melbourne Staff Bandmaster Ken Waterworth. Frost discusses music, the message and inspiration behind the music, and even includes Salvation Army banding trivia. The hour-long episodes are filled with creative passion, humour, interesting commentary and deep knowledge of music and The Salvation Army at an international level. Episodes include topics such as the life of a bandmaster, analysis of compositions, the experience of making music, and music as a ministry.

Fully Scored is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Play. 

The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

BY KATE BOWLER AND JESSICA RICHIE

Authors Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie are New York Times bestselling co-authors of Good Enough, and together they host and produce the popular podcast Everything Happens. In their new book, The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days, they share faith-based lessons on God’s presence in our day to day. Formatted like a devotional prayer book, The Lives We Actually Have reminds readers that everyday experiences are worthy of blessings. Despite our living in a society so focused on perfection and having it all, God sees us in our ordinary human moments—the good, bad, lonely, grieving, boring and happy.

As a companion to The Lives We Actually Have, Bowler and Richie have created a free 40-day devotional guide, a sermon guide and group discussion guide for Lent. Meant to help readers reflect, pray and bless their imperfect lives, these guides will use the book’s material to carry these everyday blessings through Lent.

The Lives We Actually Have is available for purchase on Amazon and Indigo. Daily devotional, sermon and group discussion guides can be downloaded at katebowler.com/blessthislent

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