parachurches

Parachurch organizations are religiously oriented groups that operate alongside churches and ministries but are not themselves part of a local congregation or denominational hierarchy. They typically concentrate on specific missions such as evangelism, education, humanitarian aid, social justice, youth ministry, or international missions. While they coordinate with churches, they maintain independent governance, funding, and program design, allowing them to mobilize resources across multiple congregations or denominations.

Parachurches can be interdenominational or aligned with a single tradition. They usually rely on donations, grants, endowments, and service fees, and are governed by boards of directors or trustees rather than by a local pastor. Their staff may include professional managers, theologians, and field workers. They work with churches, missionaries, schools, and relief agencies to scale initiatives beyond what a single congregation could sustain.

Historically, parachurch activity rose in the 20th century, especially in the United States and Europe, as evangelical and reform movements formed separate organizations to pursue widespread outreach, campus ministry, relief, and media ministry. Critics argue that parachurches can lack accountability to a local church, risk duplicating efforts, or promote specific doctrinal agendas. Proponents contend they enable specialization, rapid deployment of expertise, and broader outreach while leaving pastoral care and worship to churches. Well-known examples include World Vision, Compassion International, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), Focus on the Family, Young Life, and Samaritan's Purse.