Tentmaking: The Life and Work of Business as Missions [Paperback]

Patrick Lai (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

Those who are unfamiliar with the world of tentmaking will find valuable information to introduce them to the concept and to help in getting started. Designed to be a manual, Tentmaking is more than just an overview of questions and issues. This work will serve as an in-depth reference for existing tentmakers.

This thoroughly researched collection is the result of interviews from over 450 people serving in the 10/40 window. It provides a unique viewpoint on missions, sharing proven, workable alternatives to conventional missionary life.

Tentmaking provides an important and much needed resource to this specialized area of world missions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Patrick and his wife are two of the most experienced and effective tentmakers today. This long-awaited book is the clearest and most comprehensive treatment of the subject to date. It will no doubt be a tremendously useful resource for tentmaking novices and veterans alike." Steve Rundles, Associate Professor of Business at Biola University, California and co-author of Great Commission Companies

"Patrick's meticulous research, upon which much of the book is based, also gives added credibility to everything he says. Tentmaking is a 'must read' for all current and future tentmakers worldwide." Larry W. Caldwell, Director Doctor of Missology, Program Director, Asia Graduate School of Theology, Manila

About the Author

Patrick Lai and his family have lived and worked in the 10/40 Window for 23 years. They served for 4 years as regular missionaries and 19 years as tentmakers. The Lord has enabled his team to plant two churches and begin several for profit businesses. Patrick has degrees in Business, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Intercultural Studies. He has written numerous articles on tentmaking and lectures around the world on using business as missions for Christ.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Authentic (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932805532
• ISBN-13: 978-1932805536
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Leave Home Without It, February 22, 2006

By 

A. Barlow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tentmaking: The Life and Work of Business as Missions (Paperback)

Full disclosure: I've met the author and his family, and I respect them highly. Nevertheless - or more accurately, BECAUSE of that - I believe that no one should even contemplate tentmaking without first reading this book.

The author is a practitioner of 20+ years in the field, not a theoretician, and it shows throughout all 400 pages of this practical, highly useful book. What makes this book even stronger is that it's based not just on the author's formidable experience, but also upon his research among 450 tentmakers laboring in the 10/40 Window. The focus is on what has been proven to be effective in tentmaking, as supported by Lai's experience and research - and yet pragmatism never takes a back seat to the yearning to see God's kingdom spread as people around the world come to know Jesus. This book is at once inspirational, practical, and Biblical.

Chapters deal with such issues as tentmaking vs. "traditional" missions, types of tentmaking, preparing to be a tentmaker, evangelism and church planting, the tentmaker's personal life, women and tentmaking, the tentmaker and his children, the tentmaker and his home base, tentmaking tensions and conflicts, and more. Appendices provide checklists and outlines for team guidelines, questions short-term workers should ask, church planting phases, and questions to ask before joining a missions organization team.

This book is a tremendous resource. If you are (or want to be) a tentmaker, then I encourage you to spend the money and take the time to study this volume.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Challenge on Three Levels..., March 13, 2006

By 

John C. (Detroit , MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tentmaking: The Life and Work of Business as Missions (Paperback)

A 7 year promoter/trainer in microenterprise development, I found Patrick Lai's "Tentmaking: Business as Missions" exceptional reading by providing me three insights/challenges:
1. A broadened understanding and perspective on tentmaking
2. A challenge to my faith walk
3. Fresh new insights in leading/encouraging our local church missions team and sponsored missionaries.

John C.

Microenterprise Development Resource Development Facilitator
Medical Ambassadors International

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected, January 17, 2012

By 

Readingforschool - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tentmaking: The Life and Work of Business as Missions (Paperback)

I did not expect this to be an interesting book. I've read many on similar subjects and have been disappointed. This, however, has caught me by surprise.