Parachurch

Ecclesiology (Church)
What distinguishes a parachurch organisation from a church?
ByRev. Ian M. Thomas April 20, 2026August 8, 2026
Reading Time: 6 minutesQuestion 9099. What distinguishes a parachurch organisation from a church? The question sounds academic until a congregation is asked to fund one, staff one, or send its young people away for a week with one, and then it becomes very practical indeed. My short answer is that a parachurch organisation is a voluntary society formed…
Read More What distinguishes a parachurch organisation from a church?
Ecclesiology (Church)
What is parachurch ministry?
ByRev. Ian M. Thomas April 20, 2026August 8, 2026
Reading Time: 6 minutesQuestion 09032. A parachurch ministry is a Christian organisation that works alongside the local church without being one. The prefix comes from the Greek para, meaning beside. Student unions, mission agencies, prison and hospital chaplaincy work, Christian publishers, camp organisations, counselling services, apologetics ministries and relief charities all fall into the category. Opinions divide sharply….
Read More What is parachurch ministry?

What distinguishes a parachurch organisation from a church?