What Is a Parachurch?
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Approved by faculty for the College of Theology on July 29, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Jesus calls all Christians to seek his kingdom first, above all else, and to show the goodness and love of God to the world (Matthew 6:33; John 13:35). In the obedient fulfillment of this call to service, most people sense a pull for direct investment in a local church as a staff member, lay volunteer, pastor or teacher.
Although Scripture confirms the central place of the church in the fulfillment of God’s mission (Matthew 16:18), other organizations — fittingly called “parachurch ministries” — accompany and support the mission of the church, offering opportunities for believers to exercise giftings in complementary, shared labor in God’s kingdom. Parachurch ministries cannot and should not replace the centrality of the church to the mission of God in the world, but they necessarily broaden and deepen the ministry opportunities for Christians who are not called into local church ministry leadership. So, what is a parachurch ministry and how does a parachurch ministry help believers follow Jesus’ call to love and serve the world?
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.
Parachurch organizations offer a vital resource to the church. It should be acknowledged that many local churches have the means and opportunity for parachurch-like work (e.g., college ministry, disaster relief, adoption ministry); however, this does not negate or minimize the vital role for parachurch work. Instead, the rarity of this kind of specific ministry opportunity within a local church only highlights the need for healthy, vibrant parachurch ministries that supply a necessary service to the church and a way for Christians across the world to engage in important, gospel-centered work. Parachurch ministries free up local churches to remain focused on the teaching and preaching of Scripture, disciplining Christians to maturity, observing the church ordinances, and maintaining a firm commitment to displaying Christ’s glory and goodness for all the world to see.
If you sense God’s call in your life for ministry work, and you are not sure whether parachurch or local church leadership is for you, it may be wise to step into a season of training where you can learn, grow, pray and discern what’s next in your life. GCU’s College of Theology offers several degree pathways that allow you to explore your ministry calling. If you want to know Scripture well and teach others faithfully, consider our Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Biblical Studies. We also offer several other emphases that may fit your calling but take seriously God’s call on your life, and know that we would love the opportunity to help you strengthen your giftings as you learn to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Fill out the form on this page to learn more.
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