Parachurch ministries are organizations, groups or networks that stand alongside the church (para literally means “alongside”) to serve and support the mission of the church. As we think through these categories, it may not be helpful to imagine an either/or distinction. It is not parachurch or church. It is not parachurch vs. church, but rather parachurch alongside or supporting the church. If we think this way, we begin to understand the complementing work parachurch organizations offer the church.
The two organizations — church and parachurch — function cooperatively, albeit with distinct differences between the way ministry work is completed. A parachurch ministry cannot and should not seek to replace the place of the church in Christian life. Rather, a great parachurch ministry lives into the centrality of the church in the life of the Christian while giving additional focus to fulfilling specific needs in the world not traditionally met by the ordinary, specific work of a local church.
Consider these clarifying points: A parachurch ministry exists outside of the authority of the leadership of the church (e.g., pastors, elders, deacons) and typically seeks to meet a need in the world independent of any specific church denomination or single church community. In contrast, a church meets regularly to worship together (Hebrews 10:25) through prayer, song, Scripture reading and teaching, and to observe church ordinances (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:23–25) under the authority of biblically faithful leaders (1 Timothy 3:1–7, 8–13; 4:14; 5:17) and in mutual love and service as a means of growing up into full maturity in Christ (Ephesians 2:21–22).
Parachurch ministry engages in very important kingdom work that is aimed at serving the world and advancing the common good in partnership and support of the church’s mission to preach the gospel to all creation (Matt. 28:19–20). A parachurch organization can offer a welcomed platform for business leaders, medical professionals, educators and engineers to use their gifting and skills to serve the world under the banner of Christian love and God’s mission. Without parachurch work, many believers would feel their ministry work was unnecessarily limited to specific offices or ministries of a local church.
Some parachurch ministry examples include mission agencies, college campus ministry, disaster relief, foster and kinship ministry, counseling work or Christian education. Although some churches engage in work deeply connected to these areas, parachurch ministries often lead the way in these efforts with expertise, resources and focus complementing, extending and strengthening the efforts a church exerts for the good of the world and the glory of God.