I spent eight wonderful years on staff with a parachurch ministry where I learned incredibly valuable lessons and skills, but I also learned what parachurch ministries are not. Though there are many wonderful Christian ministries that accomplish great things in the way of Christian fellowship and outreach it’s important to understand the reasons why all Christians should be a part of a church.
What Does Scripture Say?
The only institution Jesus died to established and promises to preserve is the church (Matt. 16:18). Jesus died for his church and promises to present her as blameless (Eph. 5:25), a promise he does not make about any other Christian organization. There are multiple passages that mention the specific number of disciples added to the church (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 6:1), and there are also Scriptural references to a local church reaching a vote by majority (2 Cor. 2:6), which implies church membership however formal or informal. It’s clear that Scripture teaches that not only should Christians attend church, but should be added to that church’s number by pursuing membership and being actively involved.
Local or Universal Church?
Some might ask, “If all Christians are members of the universal church why must we join a local church?” The universal church is made up of all believers in the world and throughout history. However, that is distinct from the local or visible church which is made up of individual congregations. Though every true Christian is a member of the universal church, God established the local church to be the conduit of Christian discipleship and evangelism for all believers. You could say we prove that we are in the universal church by making an effort to be a part of the visible church.
Parachurch is my church
Many Christians have been greatly encouraged in their faith by the believers they serve with in a parachurch setting. Some might read passages like Acts 2:42: “they devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers,” and think that it accurately describes their campus ministry fellowship. However, it’s important to realize that no Christian organizations, except the church, existed during the time period of the New Testament. For that reason, any passages describing Christian community were describing the local church and to understand them as describing a parachurch ministry is anachronistic. To be clear, parachurch ministries are a wonderful blessing and very useful, they just were never meant to replace the local church.
Some go as far as to say that the parachurch is the church because parachurch ministries didn’t exist in the New Testament or they may feel parachurch organizations fulfill all the responsibilities of the local church. In, response to the first argument, the fact that parachurch ministries didn’t exist in the early church or the New Testament isn’t proof that they are the church, but rather that they are distinct from local churches and came later.
In response to the argument that the parachurch fulfills all the responsibilities of the church, it’s important to realize all the key distinctives of a local church. A church isn’t catered toward a specific people group as many parachurch ministries are. A church practices preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word. The church practices the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, which are the two ordinances of the church. The church practices church membership and church discipline. The church elects elders and deacons, and encourages all its members to give cheerfully in support of the ministry. The church also consolidates its resources to support the ministry, care for the poor and support local and global missions. I know of no parachurch ministry that does or is seeking to do all these things, nor should they. Therefore, if any parachurch claims to be a church they are at best a very unhealthy and dysfunctional church.
This is why parachurch ministries could be compared to being on a soccer team, while a church is more like being a part of a family. On a soccer team you have a group of people who are similarly gifted, gathering for a specific purpose. But a family is much broader, deeper, and lasts for life.
It’s a Blessing
We shouldn’t only join a church because it’s biblical. It’s also a blessing!
Preaching
Some of the most gifted communicators I have ever known have been on staff with parachurch ministries. However, much of the teaching in parachurch settings is highly contextualized to the very specific mission or group of people involved. The preaching at a church and other related teaching moments (Sunday school, Bible study, etc.) are more biblically comprehensive and aimed more generally at biblical and spiritual instruction. For example, I’ve never heard of a parachurch ministry teaching expositionally through the whole Bible, but this kind of teaching is vital for Christian growth.
Elders
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them” (Heb. 13:17). We can (and should) have many spiritual leaders and mentors in our lives, but Scripture seems clear that those who are qualified and called as elders in the church should be the ones primarily charged to love and care for believers and also given appropriate spiritual and theological authority. The parachurch leaders I know are deeply invested in the spiritual welfare of their volunteers and staff, but every parachurch has a specific mission and the leaders have a responsibility to grow and further that mission. Pastors on the other hand serve the sole purpose of praying and caring for each church member spiritually regardless of where and how they are serving.
Fellowship that is multi-generational
Many parachurch ministries can surround us with other Christians who are like-minded or are in a similar stage of life as us. This is a huge blessing, however, there is also great blessing in multi-generational fellowship. It’s great to know believers who have followed Christ longer than you’ve been alive. They’ve lost friends, they’ve had ups and downs, and yet have faithfully followed Christ through it all. Singing “In Christ Alone” with these saints adds richness to those lyrics and to our spiritual life. Also, being around those younger than us can provide great opportunities to pour into others.
The church helps believers serve Christ most effectively
Parachurch ministries can be a great source of spiritual growth for a season. However, when a person makes a parachurch ministry their primary source of community, sometimes they try to stick around for the fellowship long after passion for the mission is gone. But, when a person’s primary source of fellowship is a church it allows them the freedom to explore the endless avenues to serve Christ in ways that God has uniquely gifted them while maintaining a consistent home base of spiritual teaching and fellowship.
Good habit for the rest of your life
Parachurch and campus ministries are a tremendous blessing, but the church will be the main source of spiritual growth for a believer’s entire life. Therefore, it’s good for Christians to form the habit of being a meaningful member at a church early on, even in their college years. This will prove spiritually vital in transitioning into life after college.
Parachurch ministries are a blessing but Christians need the church and the church needs them. Every believer needs to build up a local congregation by using their gifts and playing their role (Eph. 4:6). In turn, they will be greatly blessed by the church.
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
