I think you have.

Thank you for addressing Parachurch ministries. I can understand how someone who has grown up in the church, and maybe thrived in a church environment might be skeptical or distrusting of a parachurch group. However, I simply would not be a Christian if it were not for the college parachurch ministry I am apart of. A church college group occasionally comes to campus and invites people to church, but when a group of young Christian leaders make there home among students, as does the leadership of this parachurch ministry, the Gospel goes forward in people's lives. Churchs ask that students come to them, and this particular parachurch group has made it's home among students. Obviously this is a very specific parachurch group, but it illustrates a point that supports the basis for Parachurch groups: total displacement.
C. Hackett
-Los Angeles

I agree - parachurch organizations should strengthen local churches, not detract/distract from them.

Has anyone ever done a comparative study of the various Catholic orders with Protestant parachurch ministries? The parallel seems apt. Catholic orders - Franciscans, Jesuits, Carmelites, etc. - are often formed by individuals and communities who see a gap in the ministry of the church and leap to fill it. The Catholic church also has mechanisms, however, of endorsing (or quashing) these movements, whereas the fragmentation of the Protestant world makes it impossible for "the church" as a whole to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to the multitude of parachurch ministries springing up everywhere.

"Churches ask that students come to them".... If this is true for most churches, then the church has completely lost her focus and mission. The message of the incarnation has been lost on us (John 4, Phil. 2).

God let judges rule in Israel, but not because that was his first choice. Likewise, he has chosen the church to be his instrument in the world. Just because a parachurch ministry does amazing things for the kingdom, just because God is using it--that doesn't mean that God has changed his mind. It means the church has dropped the ball.

I know that parachurch ministries have done many great things in the kingdom. I know lots of people who came to know God through a para ministry in college.

I live in a place that hosts at least 3 para church ministries. The church I work at is made up of mostly parachurch ministry professionals. Having said all of this, I have yet to see a parachurch ministry actually live up to its claim to support the church. From local youth to college and even support staff of the church, the parachurch does more harm than help. It is a division of resources and callings.

Sure, the church needs to do more. It always has. However, taking people from the church to accomplish this is nothing but divisive.

The word parachurch ministry is an outsiders term that people outside of an entity use to group or categorize a non-church based ministry. A ministry like Young Life did not start as a program/ministry/resource for churches. It started as a mission and continues to be a misson today. It's unfair categorization for Young Life to be considered para-church. They are strictly a mission to reach teenagers with the good news of Jesus Christ.

I've just read Billy Graham's autobiography "Just As I Am". I don't think that anyone would disagree that the BGEA is one of the most successful parachurch ministries of all time, yet Billy Graham and his entire crew work with local churches and use local churches to continue and build on their works. There should be a lesson here.

An observation: many churches have "x" number of slots that people with specific passions, callings and giftings may fill. If the people in the slots are able to nurture growth in that ministry, there is then room to invite others to fill additionl ministry positions. Otherwise, interested parties are invited to become benchwarmers. In addition, there are churches that have a distinctive culture that limits or defines ministry by doctrinal distinctives, unwritten rules and politics. For instance, I've heard creative and thoughtful parachurch efforts shot down by local church leaders because they weren't (pick one) deep enough, doctrinal enough, Calvinist enough, Arminian enough...you get the idea. There have been times when the concerns were justified, but there've been more times when the concerns seemed to be more about turf than kingdom.

I agree with Dave's ideal hope/prayer - it would be amazingly biblical to see the Church unified, whole and holy, members empowered to do (and receive) ministry instead of the cafeteria plan currently in operation in EvangelicalLand. People who make a parachurch their main venue for spiritual expression are people who want to be a part of a community that is doing something, not thinking about doing something - and who want to use their gifts in service.

Jesus' prayer in John 17 ("Father, make them one") is a prayer that should be on the heart of leaders in both local church and parachurch ministries, because it is the prayer on His heart.

I think some of the time parachurch organizations start to relieve a need not being meet by the church. I think many would say that they should have started these types of ministries within the church but, the reality is that many churches are not enablers and end up being more like wet blankets instead of encouraging these new ministries. The result: parachurch organizations.

I love the idealism...it's a shame that reality gets in the way.

I wonder how many parachurch organizations tried to first go through the church but was told no or we don't want to do that this way or it costs to much money or we don't want to take those risks?

Hence parachurch became code for "around the church."

I hope to lead a church that has the grace and freedom to embrace the 'parachurch' mindset to ministry.

Good words.

I love the line that you quoted from that parachurch mission statement about how a great ministry like that should have the goal of putting themselves out of business.

It cracks me up though that my wife is speaking at a conference next month and when she brought home the brochure on it, every one of the dozens of speakers that work at a local church also have "founded" their own parachurch ministry. Almost every description says: John Smith, Associate Pastor of First Church, a church that has 5000 people in attendance and founder of "Youth on Fire Ministries" which puts on the annual "Youth on Fire Conference" here in Seattle.

I don't know why, but I am skeptical of every one of them. Especially when their mission is just an echo of what the local church should be doing anyway. My cynical and skeptical nature causes me to wonder if they are padding a resume or finding another place where they can be the leader/speaker.

I am however becoming increasingly aware that so much of the outreach in our country and so much of the justice/mission work that we are able to be a part of in other countries would not exist if not for great parachurch organizations.

It's hard to put a finger on the difference, but if I had to, I'd say that when churhes and parachurches are worried about survival, and/or obsessed with their own growth and success,they are in danger of becoming redundant and ineffective. But when a church or parachurch reaches out to a real need; they can change the world.

Many comments seem to be presuppositions focusing on on what "things" churches are supposed to be doing. It seems the real questions are: what exactly (biblically speaking) is the definition of the "church"? And what is "its" role? Until we settle those issues, the question about para-churches seems lacking.

I believe in one church with many expressions. Parachurch organizations are as much church as local churches are. They function with different emphasis, but I find the term "parachurch" to be frustrating and even somewhat condescending (though now somewhat necessary for distinction).

While you make some good points in your post, I think they are too generalized and simplistic. If your theoretical experiment were to happen, I do not believe the local church could ever fully replace what those groups are doing. The churches themselves would have to face such radical re-formation to deal with the realities that I am doubtful anything would get done for a long time. This isn't to bash the church. The "parachurch" would be equally crippled if forced to take on the local churches role.

The old concept of modalities and sodalities is a healthy one, in this respect. Local churches represent the modalities of the Church. Alec Hill, at InterVarsity.org says:

"Put simply, 'modality' refers to the permanent structure, the local church. Multi-generational and geographically limited, a congregation puts down its roots and makes a long-term commitment to its community. As theologian Darrell Guder observes: 'The parish must always be looked upon as the central and continuing form of the church.'

"The second structure, 'sodality,' focuses on a specialized aspect of the Lord's purposes on earth. This 'laser vision' may target a particular people group (e.g. Laotians), age group (e.g. high school students) or spiritual discipline (e.g. prayer).

"Parachurch ministries like InterVarsity are sodalities—expressions of the local church, but not churches in themselves. 'Para' means 'along side.' Historical examples of such extensions of church ministry include first century mobile missionary missionary bands and medieval Catholic orders.

"In reaction to the Catholic Church, Martin Luther attempted to do without any kind of sodality structures. According to Ralph Winter, this approach had unfortunate results: 'In failing to exploit the power of the sodality, the Protestants had no mechanisms for missions for almost 300 years until William Carey.'"

(For the full article go to http://www.intervarsity.org/news/news.php?item_id=674)

This coming alongside may be literal on location or by doing specific tasks the local church cannot. Just a thought.

Peace,
Jamie Arpin-Ricci

It's great to read Dave Terpstra's affirmation of our relationship with the Body of Christ. I also want to acknowledge that there are several local churches that have worked together with us or supported our efforts from the beginning.

And I would like to say AMEN to Mike Reynold's comment, "when a church or parachurch reaches out to a real need; they can change the world!" It's great to partner with other Christians, wherever they are, to be grace and truth dispensers in the lives of people the Lord wants to reach!
Mary
wheregraceabounds.org

Denver is incredibly blessed to have Where Grace Abounds as a resource. WGA is not only highly regarded locally, but nationally, as well.

As director of a similar "parachurch ministry" in Michigan -(I hate that term! We are ALL the Church!)- a challenge that we still often face is one of a territorial provincialism (translated, "if it doesn't happen within our church walls, it's not really part of us").

Thankfully, more missions-minded churches are transcending that traditional mindset, for the good of all. With the increased globalization of Christianity, and the secularization of our own society, the most acute missions needs can often be found in our own back yard (and front pews)! That may mean joining hands as much with "those" on the other side of the street as with the more traditional missionaries in other hemispheres of the world.

Perfect? I'm not sure, but an excellent model of what a "parachurch ministry" should be - absolutely.

More importantly, what is the "perfect" partnership/relationship between the local church and such ministries? Clearly, we need each other.

In Him,
Carlton Quattlebaum

Bravo for speaking the truth Dave. I have often been confused as to the ecclesial value of many parachurch ministries. There is no question that numerous lives have been impacted and brought to a place of redemption through the work of groups such as Young Life, Inter Varsity, Navigators, and the like. But, often the question I have been left is how have these organizations prepared the people they minister to to be vital active parts of local congregations? How are they teaching these individuals about the corporate nature of their gifting and calling into the body of Christ? In high school I was actively involved in Young Life and I heard them say on a number of occasions that we want kids to get connected to the church, but nothing was ever done in the group I was part of to make that a reality. I think that parachurch ministries can offer ministries and resources that certainly aren't prevalent in our churches. But, isn't the fact that God has gifted and called people to these ministries a sign that he intends them to be part of the church?