It’s one thing for a parachurch ministry to have a document which states biblically sound doctrine. It’s quite another to weave the truth and implications of that doctrine into the daily doings of that ministry. The most important qualification for a parachurch ministry is not proficiency in a needed skill, but embracing of sound doctrine. Does a board want to hire someone who may seem a perfect fit; who exceeds technical qualifications, but is fuzzy on the biblical gospel? By nature, parachurch is susceptible to compromise.

It’s a question that arises often. “What is a parachurch ministry?” The “para” in parachurch comes from the Greek preposition which can communicate, “alongside” or “beside.” Generally, a parachurch ministry is a Christian-based organization which seeks to come alongside the New Testament local church in a variety of ways. There are a myriad of wonderful parachurch ministries for which God’s people should be grateful.

But many parachurch ministries functionally remove the “para” from their doings. They would be better called, “huper” (“above, beyond”) or “antichurch” (“instead of, against”) ministries.

Some of the common problems with parachurch ministries include:

• Operating with a mentality of, “The church isn’t doing its job, so we will do it for them”
• Staff who function with little accountability
• Christians confuse from where their primary spiritual influence and oversight should come
• Baptism and communion administered in parachurch contexts
• Compromised doctrinal integrity (e.g. due to prioritizing partnerships with humanitarian commonalities rather than those of biblical doctrine)
• Prioritizing parachurch cause over teaching Christians to be disciple-making disciples through the church
• Individuals who should be disciplined in a church are allowed to serve alongside other Christians
• Mistaking number of people involved/impacted by the parachurch ministry for faithfulness and God’s blessing

This does not delegitimize parachurch ministries. They can, and many do, serve a great purpose. Many parachurch ministries exceed the church’s ability to carry out certain ministries. I have served on staff, been involved with, and greatly benefitted from a variety of parachurch ministries.

But the huper/anti-church approach is amiss. If Christ had not created the church with her unique prominence, this would not be a problem. However, in his unsearchable wisdom, he has promised to build and bless one institution; the church (Matt. 16:18).

Rather than addressing every possible error, a few characteristics for sound parachurch ministries are given which will bring clarity where needed:

1. They express sound biblical doctrine.

Biblical doctrine, not enthusiastic religious volunteers, is what first makes a ministry a ministry. In other words, a Christian parachurch organization begins with that which Scriptures defines as Christian.

Parachurch ministries will have to think carefully about how thoroughly they will define biblically sound doctrine. Often erring on the side of lighter expressions of doctrine, though potentially increasing numbers, do less to communicate the Person and finished work of Jesus Christ. And that is not a good thing.

2. They hold staff and volunteers accountable to a sound doctrinal statement.

It’s one thing for a parachurch ministry to have a document which states biblically sound doctrine. It’s quite another to weave the truth and implications of that doctrine into the daily doings of that ministry. The most important qualification for a parachurch ministry is not proficiency in a needed skill, but embracing of sound doctrine. Does a board want to hire someone who may seem a perfect fit; who exceeds technical qualifications, but is fuzzy on the biblical gospel?

By nature, parachurch is susceptible to compromise. In one I observed, the constant pressure for finances, craving for community recognition, and desire for diversity sowed seeds which later reaped inevitable destructive ecumenism.

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