How do Christian ministries not under the supervision of the local church fit within the grand scheme of God’s redemptive purposes in the world? How do churches and parachurch ministries (e.g., seminaries, academic societies, missionary organizations, campus ministries, Christian radio programs, etc.) co-exist in a mutually beneficial way while maintaining biblical fidelity?
The answers to these questions are found in developing a comprehensive theology of parachurch ministries that first flows from a sound ecclesiology, Christology, and Pneumatology.
A sound ecclesiology must be established in order to rightly define the nature and purpose of the church, for only when we understand the church can we understand any entity that exists alongside (“para”) it.
Christology and Pneumatology are also pertinent to this discussion in light of contemporary attempts to detach these two loci and argue for the Spirit’s work outside of a gospel context. The conclusions we draw within Pneumatology will have a direct bearing on how we determine the legitimacy and function of parachurch organizations.
Secondly, a theology of parachurch ministries will categorize the various types of parachurch organizations in relation to the local church. A parachurch ministry is “an evangelical Christian ministry that, more or less, operates independently of the local church in its governance and funding,” yet there is a spectrum, we might say, with regard to how these institutions relate to the local church. A robust taxonomy of parachurch organizations is essential to this discussion.
Thirdly, a theology of parachurch ministries must establish the nature of the parachurch ministry as a derivative (not original) entity and demonstrate the implications of this theological reality.
Finally, a theology of parachurch ministries will outline the characteristics of a biblically faithful parachurch organization:
A faithful parachurch organization will:
(1) labor to avoid replacing the church;
(2) structure their mission in relation to the local church;
(3) aim to partner with, support, and learn from local churches;
(4) defer to the local church;
(5) prioritize the local church.