Reckless Trust:
an introduction to Tent Ministry
Part 1 of a 3 part series by
Theron Walz
Overview::
It's a moment no one present would soon forget; while those gathered were
in worship, an intoxicated young man had worked his way up to the front of
the tent and stood next to the preacher.
No one suspected that in just a few minutes he would pull out a 10" knife
and threaten several people on the front row, including the preacher, but
it happened. Grabbing someone's Bible, he threw it forcefully across the
tent and proceeded to look as if he were going to seriously attack someone
with his blade.
Fortunately, someone had the foresight to call the police and shortly
after the man made his threats, a policeman showed up and escorted him to
jail for an overnight stay. The next night during the meeting, the young
man showed up again, sans knife and alcohol.
After speaking with a leader, he asked if it was okay to make a public
apology. We consented and he came up front, humbly asked everyone's
forgiveness and made known his desire to change for all to hear. He also
showed us pictures of his two sons, both preteens and already drug addicts
living on the street; with genuine tears in his eyes, he asked us to pray
for them.
Long story short, we were able to hook him up with an addiction recovery
program and he began a journey towards complete freedom from his
destructive lifestyle.
Another day in the life of tent ministry!
Tent Ministry, what is it
exactly?
Depending upon your cultural background, the phrase "Tent Ministry" can
bring to mind a number of preconceived images. Whether it be a rural
gathering of farmers and rancher folk in Kentucky or a glitzy operation
setting up in downtown Urbana, tent ministry has arguably been among the
most controversial modern forms of Christian outreach.
Some people will say they are alive today because of a crisis conversion
in a tent meeting years ago, while others claim that it's all a big money
or publicity-garnering stunt aimed at simple-minded people. Still others
say it's a nice little diversion and a good show, but nothing more.
Having been intimately involved in this type of ministry full time for
over 12 years, I've heard just about every praise, criticism and
observation there is to be heard on the subject. Sure, I might be a bit
biased, but I'm going to be as objective as possible here because I want
you to get an honest picture of this type of ministry; of both its
benefits and hazards.
History of Tent and
Itinerant Ministry::
Traveling "clergy" have been an American staple since the days of the
Great Awakening in the late 1600's. Circuit Riders, Methodist preachers
charged with shepherding a considerable number of flocks at different
locations, took to riding their horses from church to church as they
oversaw the needs of each congregation.
It was much earlier than this however, in fact about 1600 years earlier,
when followers of Jesus began the tradition of mobile evangelism. It came
at a time when Christianity's explosive growth presented a desperate need
for mature adherents to travel to the furthest reaches of the known world
with the charge of training new converts in the faith. People such as the
Apostles Paul, Peter Barnabas and many others took what Jesus had imparted
to them and traveled widely teaching, preaching and demonstrating this way
of life. They were truly the first traveling evangelists.
Back to 1800's North America: Pioneers who left the comforts of home to
find a new life out West were another people group to see a need for
traveling ministers. Bereft of any buildings in which to hold services,
they took to erecting a canvass awning under which to gather; or simply
met under the open sky.
Later on, evangelists such as Maria Woodworth-Etter, R.W. Shambach and Amee Semple-McPherson
to name a few, were fond of using tents in which to hold their crusades.
As a direct result of these and other's meetings during the late 1800's
through 1950's, "revivalism" grew into a movement that swept the U.S.A.
from coast to coast.
Where we stand now::
Building on this rich heritage can be a daunting task. Times have changed.
Slick haired, smooth-tongued Charlatans have come and gone with their
snake oil quackery, leaving upright ministers with no small obstacle
to overcome in reaching the hearts of a wary people; a people who in this
technology age prefer the impersonal religion of television and the
internet.
It's a common joke in our family that the first thing a skeptic will ask
us is if we handle snakes. No, of course not! In fact, the only snake I've
ever handled is our sound snake, a 100' cable used in amplifying our
instruments. It makes for a good joke when a really worried person comes
into the tent asking the above question and I show them our "snake"
sitting there in a case. More than a few people have jumped about a foot
when I dramatically opened it up only to reveal a long audio cable! Cruel,
I know...
What's this "Revival" stuff?
Revival is an overused religious term that can't really be explained.
Basically, it means that you are most likely spiritually dead as a
doornail and need someone to come and kick you in the pants to help you
realize it. Like a friend of ours says though, you have to be "vived"
before you can be "revived"! So we do both, "Vivals" and "RE-Vivals"!
Revival is not something that can be produced by fiery preaching
or loud
music, it has to be earnestly desired by desperate people. True healthy
change in the hearts of men and women comes not from good preaching or
inspired music, but from a holy resolve forged by people spending time on
their knees.
All too common is the desire to recapture that "old time religion" by
holding meetings reminiscent of a bygone era, hoping for the same results.
The problem with this method is that it's a method; and an old,
ridiculously overused method at that. Oh sure, it might get you a few
goose bumps, but we look for something more.
Our family looks for changed hearts evidenced by changed lives. We look
for the transformation of whole communities through healed relationships,
healed bodies, healed emotions, resurrected marriages, families restored
in relationship with each other and other such concrete changes.
Not to say you won't get goose bumps in these modern tent meetings! If my
life were as radically transformed as some have, I'd get more than goose bumps!
Our mission is to live in such a way that releases
God's Kingdom to manifested in the world around us. We regard true
ministry as being agents of transformation by allowing God to pour Himself
through humble human vessels into a world desperate for something real.
We welcome the Holy Spirit's workings in any way shape
or form and will always choose to please Him over pleasing man. The tent
also attracts many people who will never come to a church, so everyone has
to have grace for each other as we grow in relationship with Jesus! Our
core values always lead us to seek God's Face and we embrace the change
this pursuit brings.
God is very much moving in
North America today! He has so many very good things in store for those
who are willing to seek Him out. Changed are those who come to the end of
their rope and happy are those who seek after His transforming power and
Love!
|
