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Parachurch organization
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{{Short description|Christian faith-based group}} '''Parachurch organizations''' are [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Faith-based organization|faith-based organizations]] that work outside and across [[Christian denominations|denominations]] to engage in [[social welfare]] and [[evangelism]]. Parachurch organizations seek to come alongside the church and specialize in things that individual churches may not be able to specialize in by themselves. They often cross denominational and national boundaries providing specialized services and training. ==Definition== These bodies can be [[business]]es, [[non-profit]] corporations, or private [[Voluntary association|associations]].<ref> Michael J. Anthony, ''Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the Twenty-first Century'', Baker Academic, US, 2001, p. 283 {{ISBN?}}</ref> Most parachurch organizations, at least those normally called ''parachurch'', are [[Protestantism|Protestant]] or [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]]. Some of these organizations cater to a defined spectrum among evangelical beliefs, but most are self-consciously [[interdenominational]] and many are [[ecumenical]].<ref> Candy Gunther Brown, Mark Silk, ''The Future of Evangelicalism in America'', Columbia University Press, US, 2016, p. 28 {{ISBN?}}</ref> In Protestant and Catholic theology parachurch organizations are termed [[sodality]], as distinct from [[modality (theology)|modality]], which is the structure and organization of the local or universal church. ==Roles and organizations== {{main|List of parachurch organizations|:Category:Evangelical parachurch organizations}} Parachurch organizations perform a number of roles, including:<ref> Alvin Reid, ''Introduction to Evangelism'', B&H Publishing Group, US, 1998, p. 81 {{ISBN?}}</ref> * evangelistic crusade associations (patterned after the [[Billy Graham]] Association) * evangelistic and [[discipleship]] ministries (such as [[ThereforeGo Ministries]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=About ThereforeGo Ministries (Formerly Youth Unlimited)|url=https://www.thereforego.com/us/|access-date=2020-12-28|website=ThereforeGo Ministries|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Youth With A Mission|Youth With a Mission]] ([[YWAM]]), [[InterVarsity Christian Fellowship]], [[Scripture Union]], [[Cru (Christian organization)|Cru]], [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]], [[Christian Challenge]], and [[The Navigators (organization)|The Navigators]]) * music and print [[publisher]]s, radio and television stations, film studios, online ministries * study centers and institutes, [[school]]s, [[college]]s and [[university|universities]] * political and social [[activist]] groups * [[Social welfare|welfare]] and social services, including [[homeless shelters]], [[child care]], and [[domestic violence]], [[disaster relief]] programs, and food pantries and clothing closets, and emergency aid centers (such as the [[City Mission]]s) * [[self-help]] groups * [[Bible]] study groups ==Evangelical parachurch growth== Evangelical parachurch organizations proliferated as a byproduct of the [[fundamentalist–modernist controversy]]. As modernist views penetrated mainline churches, those with more fundamentalist views who elected to stay reached across denominational boundaries for opportunities for Christian fellowship and outreach.<ref>{{cite book |last=Carpenter |first=Joel A. |title=Revive Us Again: The Reawakening of American Fundamentalism |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=1997 |page=[https://archive.org/details/reviveusagain00joel/page/240 240] |isbn=9780195129076|oclc=254903603 |url=https://archive.org/details/reviveusagain00joel/page/240}}</ref> While most parachurch organizations involved in social work operated in a collaborative mode, those engaged in evangelistic and discipleship ministries, particularly on college campuses, have at times been in fierce competition.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=John G. |title=Bill Bright & Campus Crusade for Christ |location=Chapel Hill, NC |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |date=2008 |pages=70–75 |isbn=9781469604756 |oclc=5619183701}}</ref> Seeking to resolve such issues, Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Navigators, and Young Life signed the "Trail West Agreement", pledging mutual respect. The agreement was renewed in 2010 with thirteen additional signers as the "Chicago Agreement".<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Peach |first=Matthew |date=2019 |title=The World Is Broken: Expanding Frame-Alignment Theory with Campus Ministries |hdl-access=free |website=IDEALS |url=https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/items/111991 |type=PhD |publisher=University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |pages=63, 131–132|hdl=2142/104879 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/reZnG |archive-date= 15 Feb 2024}}</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Christianity}} * [[Evangelicalism]] * [[List of Protestant missionary societies]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * Wesley K. Willmer, J. David Schmidt, Martyn Smith, ''The Prospering Parachurch: Enlarging the Boundaries of God's Kingdom'' {{ISBN?}} [[Category:Christian parachurch organizations| ]] [[Category:Christian terminology]] [[Category:Ecclesiology]]
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