A Trinitarian Approach to the Integration of Ministry, Work, and Family in Tentmaking Ministry

by Wilson Wai Shing Chan
June 1st, 2016
The purpose of this project is to show how and why an integration of work, ministry, and family is essential for sustaining a healthy Christian life in the context of tentmaking ministry so that shalom can be generated in the process of integration. Ten years ago, a group of Christians was planted in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. In the beginning of this church planting project, all church members were energetic in serving in the church. After ten years, however, all of them are feeling burned out. They have lost their spiritual vitality. In response to this situation, a transformation is needed. I believe that it is time to go back to God’s word to seek wisdom. The Bible is about life, an integrated life that is life-giving. This project used the ReFrame course as a general course on the integration of Christian life, which helped the participants to gain a taste of integrating all aspects of their lives. As I surveyed the Bible, I realized that the doctrine of the Trinity might provide a way for the committed Christians to live out a shalom-making lifestyle in the context of tentmaking. I therefore developed a focused curriculum specifically for the integration of work, ministry, and family for the tentmaker. Behind this curriculum is the notion that the triune God lives an integrated and balanced life. Analogically, therefore, the concept of perichoresis is a model of the integration of work, ministry, and family for tentmakers.
A ten-week course focused on the integration of work, ministry, and family was conducted with ten student tentmakers. Interviews with seasoned tentmakers provided different models of integration. Research findings were gleaned from student journals and direct observation. The results show an increase in the awareness of life integration and experience of shalom in the students’ everyday lives.