Paul vs. Priscilla: New Testament Tentmakers

In an article entitled “Inflammatory Questions,” Robert McQuilkin states that there are two types of missionary marketplace workers, based on New Testament concepts. Those who are like Priscilla have a professional job (tent-making), help the regional missionary or church teams when needed, and witness to people in their spare time. The other category includes the “Pauls”: pioneer missionaries who use their trade when it is required to reach the goal of evangelizing and planting churches.

Is it necessary—or correct—to separate the Pauls and Priscillas into two different categories, each with a different purpose, objective, and calling? McQuilkin says that “If people get the idea that the tentmaker is the answer to world evangelization, our cause is in big trouble.” How can we, as individuals seeking to promote marketplace professionals’ ministry, respond to this?