“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” – Isaiah 54:2
We believe Isaiah’s word quoted above encourages our Churches to enlarge their “tent” and strengthen their tent stakes. The tent, or canopy, pictured here would have a central pole, representing the centrality of Christ, and be held in place by its Tent Stakes. The word given to Tent Stake Ministry is to strengthen its Tent Stakes to hold the tent in place over the church.
The Tent Stakes of our churches are those ministries which serve the church. Those ministries, when working properly, keep our churches grounded and functioning. The major Tent Stakes include (but are not limited to):
- Senior Pastor
- Worship Ministry
- Christian Education
- Youth Ministry
- Church Administration
- Outreach Ministry
- Prayer Ministry
We believe that we should strengthen these Tent Stakes as a part of the Prayer Ministry of Church. Our first priority would be to find intercessors with a heart for each Tent Stake and who will pray consistently for that Tent Stake. In the area of worship ministry, for example, it is not just the worship leader who needs prayer, but those who provide necessary ministry like musicians and sound people. We need for there to be constant prayer cover for all of those church functions.
We recommend that Tent Stake Teams increase their effectiveness by communicating with their Tent Stake constituents and visiting their offices and meeting places to pray “onsite with insight”. For example, let the Youth Minister know you are praying for him and his family. Ask for his prayer needs and discreetly pray for him. Prove yourself faithful to pray and keep confidences, and your Tent Stake Team can have a major impact on those you are praying for and the Church.
Beyond prayer, you can provide support to the Tent Stake constitutes in many ways. Befriend them, encourage them and help them if you can. Some tent stake teams have organized dinners or special events to honor them.
Please pray about helping strengthen the Tent Stakes at your church by forming a Tent Stake Team.