I have been thinking about ministries such as Bible studies or missions being conducted outside the auspices of the local church or presbytery (which is also the church). Shouldn't all ministry fall under the structure of a church (people) that is presented in the Bible?

I wonder whether para-church organizations are Biblical because there isn't the proper form of organization (such as elders and deacons) or function (preaching, singing, prayer, communion, reading of scripture - see Acts 2:42). As such, it seems that para-church organizations are a "church" that is done in the wrong way and/or without a complete practice.

One time I taught a Bible study on my own, but I was not supervised (nor "called")- I could have been teaching anything!

The only caveat I have with this is when I consider some groups such as Answers in Genesis or a financial ministry. They minister in their respective areas with a depth that no individual pastor could realistically achieve. Or could he?

Shouldn't everything be a part of a church body that is organized and operates according to the Biblical model? Isn't there only one ministry model (presbyterian vs. congregational government debates aside)?

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Tim Lindsay
member, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, Halifax, NS, Canada
Living in Cape Town, South Africa
"at the foot of Table Mountain, not far from the Cape of Good Hope"

I think you are right in differentiating between "parachurch" organizations and organizations that serve an apologetic function.

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Benjamin P. Glaser
Pittsburgh, PA,
Fairmount ARP Church
Candidate Under Care Pittsburgh Theological Seminary & Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary
"The benefit of deliverance becomes the more precious in the same proportion in which we are brought to apprehend the magnitude of the evil from which we have been rescued"
-- Zacharias Ursinus, Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

I would think that anything that's touting itself as a "Gospel Ministry" ought to be under the oversight of a Church. That is, where there is Preaching, Sacrament, etc. This doesn't mean that several churches couldn't have a coalition of sorts to affect a wider reach (albeit, churches should avoid ecumenalism that is so pervasive in our days -evangelicals & catholics together et al) of demographics.

That being noted, I don't think that everything a Christian person may do for the edification of others needs to be classified as "ministry" proper; thus, it seems it would be fine for them to, say, host a get together, fellowship, etc. with other Christians without having to seek the approval of their Church. As for Answers in Genesis, et al., I don't really know what they proclaim to be.

If they're simply showing that Scripture is the authority, and that it affirms Scientific fact, and that Evolution is bogus, I don't know that there has to be a particular oversight. In this case, the individual should follow his conscience in support of such things. I may have just rambled and lost the point trying to be made altogether, but ...

If it's "ministry" proper, not only should it be accountable to an ecclesiastical body (normatively), but should be executed by those who are fitted and called to such things.

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Attending CCRPC, Member of TRBC
Reformers & Puritans -lllll- Puritan Pub
Board Rules - Signature Rules - Suggestion Box

Yes, thanks for making this point.

But does this apologetic function represent a need that Christians should have filled? If it is a need, then why should it not occur under the authority of the Church (capital C)? That would suggest that the Church is not adequate to feed Christians all the food that they require.

Or is it that these organizations exist because the Church is not doing its job (in those areas)?

Just some further questions...

Well as far as AIG is concerned the seminaries have dropped the ball in this regard so there function is quite seriously needed. However it would be nice to have them under the eye of a Church. Anything that operates outside the jurisdiction of a body of believers is accountable to no one but itself, which is a problem in my opinion. Especially if we actually believe in Presbyterianism.

Yes, I really would have to agree. And I think that Answers in Genesis is a great organization - I love the teaching of Ken Ham et al. I think that the Greenville Presbyterian seminary continues to stand for 6-day creation, though. But they may be the only ones (open to correction).

I believe this is a big part of the answer. The word "ministry" is being used to cover a wide range of good works today. Perhaps the use of the word in this way comes from a certain understanding of Ephesians 4:11-12, but of course there are two ways of exegeting the passage.

I used to be heavily involved in an on-campus "ministry." When I came to the Reformed faith I eventually concluded that it was inappropriate for this organization to operate outside of the oversight of a church. Of course everyone in the organization was a member of a church, but I don't equate that with ecclesiastical oversight.

In this organization that I was in, I've never seen any baptisms, but I have witnessed communion administered a couple of times. I was rather appalled that a local evangelical pastor would come to do this, without any fencing of the table whatsoever, and without any real knowledge of the individuals that were there -- many of whom I knew to be unbelievers.

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Casey Bessette
Westminster OPC • West Suburbs of Chicago • My Blog: Paradise Regained

"It is part of the calling of the ekklesia to learn to know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge and also to make known within the world of science 'the manifold wisdom of God' in order that the final end of theology, as of all things, may be that the name of the Lord is glorified. Theology and dogmatics, too, exist for the Lord's sake." — Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, vol. 1, p. 46

Although a parachurch "organization" may not be under the auspices of a church body, wouldn't the individuals operating this parachurch "ministry" be members of individual churches and thereby considered as under some oversight?

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Jim
1689 LBCF
Independent Bible Church
North Texas, USA

This will sound cynical but practically speaking they are an excuse for women to run things as well as taking potential male leadership and placing them in a position where they practice leadership without oversight and it really messes some of them up.

They often say that they are under individual churches where they have their membership, and in some cases it really works, but practically, they act as a church composed of novice leadership.

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Tim Vaughan, 48 years old, member Redeemer OPC, Santa Maria CA.

You may find this article helpful:

The Standard Bearer

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Bert Mulder
Elder of the First Protestant Reformed Church of Edmonton
Edmonton Alberta Canada

Exactly, for this is THE big problem with the parachurch ministries - accountability and correcting where others point out their rather sometimes obvious errors.

I remember Rushdoony writing some years ago that those who opposed parachurch ministries were a "sorry lot." Well, that was very convenient for him to say, since Chalcedon was not under any denomination's oversight and he basically did what he wanted to do.

That is the problem - strong personalities want to run the show, and if they diverge off the path and start getting into strange and diverse teachings, then problems arise, and there is no authority to stop them (this is why the original Westminster delegates inserted section 3 in Chapter 23. They believed - rightly - that ultimately it would require the State to stop a heresy from spreading far and wide, especially if there was no church structure in place to stop it).

Remember the old Jim Bakker PTL Club? A board member (first name Richard, can't remember his last name) lamented after its collapse why no one "warned them" earlier about the path they were going on.

Oh please, I thought at the time. If someone had gone to him or any other board member and said "look, you guys are way off base here, you need to repent or else face ruin", he or any other board member would have politely told him to go take a long walk on a short pier. When the good times are rolling, rarely will anyone take negative counsel into consideration. (Just look at the financial "experts" on Wall Street. Two years ago, anyone mentioning "housing bubble" was ridiculed and laughed at.)

This is just one aspect of a long list of reasons why there are difficulties with parachurch ministries, and why the model of Presbyterian church govenment was given to us by the Lord and why it works the best (albeit imperfectly at times, but just like anything else tainted by sin).

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Randy Harris
Heritage Church (Independent)
Oklahoma City, OK

I am part of a missionary society, which most would consider a parachurch. However, the leadership of this society consists of a council of pastors drawn from the churches from which the missionaries come from.


Also, I am thankful for MAF, other mission aviation orgs, Wycliffe Bible Translators, the various Bible societies and bible colleges, most of which are not under the direct oversight of a single church.


In the NT we see local churches sending out Paul and the others and these all, while on the field, voluntarily associated, formed working groups and made semi-autonomous decisions and did not pass everything by their local sending churches.

While big M missionaries who do church planting should be ordained men, there are various support roles such as pilots, nurses, computer specialists, MK teachers, etc that are needed on the mission field - and I would not hesitate to call these people missionary and stress that they need NOT be ordained to labor for the Lord and be supported by our monies.


Most condemnations of parachurches are overblown and reactionary. While I agree with the need to stress the place of the local church there is no need to tear down the work of many fine groups that are sent out by local churches and labor alongside local churches in voluntary associations to further the Gospel.


All parachurches are not the PromiseKeepers.

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

I am not really sure about whether, in the grand scheme of things, parachurch groups are a good idea. But I do feel that I've benefited from the Christian Fellowship at my law school. Fortunately, some of the students who lead the group are Reformed and are careful that the group does not take on a church-like role. Instead, it's an opportunity to fellowship and discuss social issues from a Christian perspective. Most importantly, it's just really helpful to know who else at the law school is a Christian -- this is how I've made some of my best friends at school. It's also been really amazing to meet Christian LL.M students from other countries.

So, on the whole, I don't know if parachurch organizations are a great idea, but as long as its role is limited, I rather enjoy mine.

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Evie B.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Attending Park Street Church, Boston

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." --Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)

I have been a part of the Navigator Ministry that was started as a military ministry to Sailors. I have been discipled by those guys and in turn discipled many other young men who have in turn discipled others. Bible Societies have been a big part in getting the gospel out to the world. I am reading 'The life of Robert and James A. Haldane right now. It is published by Banner of Truth. These men started their ministries in what some would term a parachurch organization setting. I am for parachurch ministries. But I do agree they shouldn't separate from working under the leadership of Churches. Men need to be under the authority of their respected denominations.

Parachurch ministries can be a blessing from God as the Navigator ministry is. There is usefulness in God's Kingdom for such. Many Churches today have been blessed with the materials that these organizations produce.

Before one makes up their minds to the usefulness and Biblicalness of such organizations I would recommend reading the story about the Haldane brothers. Good Scottish men of God they were.

__________________

(Norseman Moderator)

R. Martin Snyder
1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

Click to get:Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

When I was in graduate school, my pastor at the time told me he was working with some Navigator student leaders who essentially told him that all they needed was the Navigators - they had no need for a "formal church."

Is this an isolated example of Navigator thinking, or does there seem to be a pattern of independence within its ranks?

The Navigators I have known were under a Churches authority. The Navigators do not and should not administer the ordinances / sacraments. This is the job of ordained men. Although I do know Navigator Staff who are ordained.

This reformed baptist blog has two pertinent posts. Make sure to read the follow up comments as well for more thoughts. I posted my slight criticisms of their posts in the comments section:


ParaChurch—Does the end justify the means? « Reformed Baptist Fellowship


Parachurch-So what’s the problem? « Reformed Baptist Fellowship

Evie, you have made several good points.

First, I appreciate that you said being careful that the group did not take on "a church-like role".

Second, you mentioned fellowship and discussion. This, of course is quite permissible for all Christians in any situation.

I am acquainted with some of the Christian medical students on my campus and it is comforting to know that they are there. But I have recently thought to myself that Christian organizations on campus should exist as social/fellowship organizations only and leave the teaching/ministry of the Word function to the local churches. I mean, in which city big enough to have a university is there such a shortage of churches and pastors that you need to have a campus organization that includes worship, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and counseling to the students? In a sense, these organizations 'steal' the flock from the local churches and put them in to groups that are segregated from the rest of the community by age, intellect, and socio-economic privilege.

Don't get me wrong, I know many people and organizations that might fit into this category. And I love them as brothers and sisters, its just that in light of my understanding of church government from the Bible, I have some serious questions when ministry is conducted outside of the Biblical leadership model.

Thank-you for your perspective 'from the field'. Pergamum, you probably deal with many challenges about which we are not aware. Airplanes and language translation are vital. But would it not be ideal that these could be operated under the direction of the church (I include a denomination as 'the church')? Perhaps under a diaconate-type function of ministering to temporal needs? You mention a single church - I am not sure what form of church government you hold to; I am Presbyterian, so my model can accommodate such endeavors.

Agreed. Church planters should be ordained. But the jobs of pilot and teacher are not described in the Bible as a function of ministry, so it seems that these should fall under a separate category of Christian service.

The idea is not to 'tear down' but to build up such operations so that they are conducted according to the Biblical church model. I do not deny the value of such endeavors. I myself have spiritually benefited from them. But I think that the model that God has described in His Word is the way that we are to achieve the spiritual goals for which we labor. No one should deny that we will be the most effective if we follow God's way. I am just trying to explore what might need to change in certain organizations.

I come back to a point that has been implied earlier: sometimes these organizations exist because the church is not doing its job, or is in such a state that it can't do its job.