성공적인 평신도 전문인 선교를 위한 선교학적 통찰 및 제언

Abstract

This article aims to reveal the biblical foundation, background, and current situation of lay tentmaker, in providing missiological insights and proposals for the successful tentmaking mission. The researcher looks for the biblical foundation of lay missionary on the biblical structure as the body of Christ(1Cor. 12:27­28) and λαος του Θεού (the people of God, Eph.4:11­12; 1Cor. 12:12­26). The term ‘mission’ comes from the Greek word for ‘Αποστολή’ or the Latin word for ‘mittere.’ In this perspective, ‘mission’ can be defined to the holistic works of God’s people who are sent to the world for the mission of God (Missio Dei), and ‘missionary’ is a person who participates in this holy work. That is, God’s all people are missionaries who are sent to the world, including other cultures. The need and importance of tentmaker rapidly came to the fore worldwide as the Protestants rediscover the true meaning of ‘nation’(panta ta ethne) in the Bible and thousands of unreached people groups in 10/40 window. Futhermore, since the late 20th century, more and more nations have refused the traditional (ordained) missionaries entry. This phenomenon will continue and expand for many years to come. Tentmaking mission is a mission strategy that the Protestants respond to the challenge from the anti­missionary world. For this strategy to be successful must be full support and participation of the laity. Lay Christians can join in God’s kingdom work, particularly the cross­cultural mission through their jobs and occupational skills. After describing the missiological insights of tentmaker, the researcher provides the essential elements for the successful tentmaking mission as follows. First, tentmakers need to have the authentic sense of calling and sending for a lay missionary. Second, tentmakers ought to have a holistic support from the church that they attend. The spiritual support is particularly essential. Third, tentmakers should find a mission field that needs their professional skills. For they can carry out their successful mission when their occupational skills are matched to the need of mission field. Fourth, tentmakers must be trained as a cross­cultural missionary. Fifth, tentmakers need to have the attitude of incarnation that Jesus showed us as a good example. Sixth, tentmakers ought to live an authentic life as a Christian leader and a secular worker. It can encourage and challenge the indigenes in a positive way. Seventh, tentmakers should cooperate in harmony with traditional (ordained) missionaries in the mission field. Eighth, tentmakers need to have a holistic view of mission that involves both personal evangelism and social work. Once again, an undeniable fact is that the rapidly changing situations of the mission fields in the world ask more diverse mission strategies and more lay missionaries. We must avow that we are living in the 21st century, the era of the lay mission. In this era, the researcher eagerly looks forward for all lay Christians on the earth to listen to “the Macedonian calling of Paul” from the mission fields all over the world.