The word “para” means to “be along side.” Para-church organizations and ministries exist in every form and facet in our country today. It is difficult to imagine life in the United States without para-church ministries like Focus on the Family, Billy Graham, or Youth for Christ. However, some church leaders bristle at the very thought of the presence of para-church organizations in our Christian community.
There are leaders, who first of all feel, that para-church ministries are unbiblical; that they somehow are attempting to thwart the role of the local church. Others claim that para-church ministries are stealing our local church’s resources of people and money, by recruiting church folks and fund-raising for their organization. Of course, theological differences and lack of personal and ministry accountability to local church governance are also major concerns to pastors and church leaders. All of these concerns, protests, and even lack of acceptance have not prevented church members in every congregation from participating in the activities of para-church organizations. In fact, I think, by not placing these ministries on the church’s mission budget or allowing their representatives to share from our local church pulpits, church leaders have actually promoted a lack of accountability, control, and participation in what God’s people are supporting.
In this instance, I fear that we have diminished the doctrine of the Body of Christ. Church leaders have created a dangerous wall of ignorance between the programs and leadership of two different, but Biblical, systems of ministry. And ignorance has fanned into flame a lack of accountability in areas that accountability is most needed, such as theological and financial integrity. We must, as a local church, find a place of fellowship and partnership with the so-called para-church systems of ministry. How? I think that we need to ask and answer a few fundamental questions.
Are para-church ministries biblical?
Yes, I think that they are. I believe that they represent God’s device to minister to the whole global family of God, and provide that family with a means to assist the local church to take the Gospel into the entire world (Matthew 28). I have always believed that the question of the existence of the para-church ministry is a lack of an understanding or acknowledgment by local church leaders to a two-prong approach to ministry.
Why do para-church ministries exist?
(1) With the collapse of traditional denominations, para-church ministries have really become a “link” in connecting local churches together. They can participate in events and activities together as like-minded and theologically compatible congregations - events such as evangelism, education, and social interaction that a single congregation may not have the finances or expertise to accomplish alone; and yet they still need to experience.
(2) They also are a means to pool resources and share personnel to promote global evangelism. Almost from the beginning of the history of the church, there has been sharing and traveling outside of the local church, by persons or a team helping in the work of the Gospel. Money and persons were taken from different congregations to minister to God’s people in churches apart from their own. These teams or visiting preachers were sometimes sent from other churches through the Jerusalem Council. Paul often acknowledges this system and thanks people for giving financially and welcoming different people to the local church – even asking congregations to do more in providing funds and hospitality.
(3) They also exist, unfortunately, due to the lack of obedience by the local church to participate in the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 18-20.
As a local church pastor and a founder of a para-church ministry, I do believe in the sanctity of the local church. I believe in its leadership and mandate to protect the Word and flock of God. However, to not support or acknowledge the larger body of Christ and its global ministry, I think, is unbiblical, and robs many congregations of the help and opportunity that they could access to grow and reach the world for Christ.
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