There are many organizations trying to do the work of the church but are not under the authority of the church. They are called parachurch organizations.

1. Parachurch Organizations
This is part 2 of the study on
the work of the church

2. Introduction
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Men want to do good.
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They want to be helpful, fill a need, do a good
work.
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They form a non-profit corporation and appoint
a board of directors to see that this work is
done.
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They buy property, buildings, equipment to do
the work.

3. Parachurch
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Then they ask the churches to support and pay
for the things they buy and the work they are
doing.
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Parachurch = “para” - beside, as in parallel
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Parachurch is a work that is parallel with the
church but not directly under the direction or
control of any congregation or eldership.

4. Basic Principles to Understand
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The local congregation is given the authority to
give financial support to their own work, other
congregations, and people in need of help.

5. Basic Principles to Understand
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The local congregation is given the authority to
give financial support to their own work, other
congregations, and people in need of help.
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There is a difference in supporting an
organization and buying its service.

6. Basic Principles to Understand
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The local congregation is given the authority to
give financial support to their own work, other
congregations, and people in need of help.
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There is a difference in supporting an
organization and buying its service.
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Individuals may support many things the church
may not support – Red Cross, Cancer Society,
Boy / Girl Scouts, school fundraising, sports,
social or civic clubs

7. Basic Principles to Understand
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There are many “good works” which are outside
the work of the local congregation Painting lines
on the highway is good work, but not a work of
the church.

8. Basic Principles to Understand
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There are many “good works” which are outside
the work of the local congegation. Painting lines
on the highway is good work, but not a work of
the church.
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An action of an individual is not an action of the
local church.

9. Basic Principles to Understand
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There are many “good works” which are outside
the work of the local congegation. Painting lines
on the highway is good work, but not a work of
the church.
●
An action of an individual is not an action of the
local church.
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Status as a non-profit organization does not
mean that support by a church is scriptural.

10. Basic Principles to Understand
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The financial work of the church must be
approached the same way as worship is
approached.

11. Basic Principles to Understand
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The financial work of the church must be
approached the same way as worship is
approached.
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Success in doing some good work does not
mean the Lord's approval for congregations to
support it.

12. Basic Principles to Understand
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Such organizations might be expedient, but for
something to be expedient it must first be
lawful.
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1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me,
but all things are not helpful. All things are
lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the
power of any.
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1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for
me, but not all things are helpful; all things are
lawful for me, but not all things edify.

13. Some Scenarios
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People concerned about single parents, homeless
women, battered women, abused women (and their
children)
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They form an organization to help in this area. They
appoint a board of directors (not members of the
Lord's church). No church or eldersip is involved in the
oversight.
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But they seek financial support for their work.
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The Dream Center in Milan

14. Some Scenarios
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Mission minded men want to print tracts and
literature in various languages so the gospel
can be taught in the native languages.
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They form a corporation, have a board of
Christians to oversee this work.
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They appeal to churches to send funds to pay
for the personnel and equipment needed.
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Eastern European Missions

15. Some Scenarios
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Parents are concerned about the situation in
the public school system.
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They form a private Christian school. They
have a board of directors. They realize the the
tuition they charge will not cover all expenses.
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They ask churches to support the school.
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Christian Universities do the same – seeking
support for Bible faculty.
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Freed-Hardeman University, Harding, etc.

16. Some Scenarios
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Emergencies (floods, hurricanes, tornadoes) happen
around the USA.
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A special non-profit corporation is formed to provide
assistance. Buildings, equipment and trucks are
bought. A board of directors is selected.
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They did not feel that any eldership could oversee this
work.
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They expect local congregations to support their good
work.
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Churches of Christ Disaster Relief

17. Some Scenarios
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Christians wanted to spread the gospel by radio into
China, Asia and Eastern Europe.
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A special non-profit corporation is formed to provide
assistance. They built studios, put up a tall broadcast
antenna in Alaska.
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But they did not want any eldership to oversee the
operation of this station.
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They expect local congregations to support their good
work.
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World Christian Broadcasting (KNLS)

18. Missionary Society
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140 years ago churches of Christ fought against the
missionary society.
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It was a group, separate from any church or eldership,
but sought support for their work.
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They selected mission places, workers, paid them,
supplied them with mateirals.
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The churches that supported them had no control or
say in what was being done.
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It was a parachurch organization.

19. Conclusion
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God gave the church work to do.
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He gave the church the ability to plan, organize
and carry out the work.
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Parachurch organizations can be supported by
individual Christians, if they want to.
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These organizations should NOT be supported
by from the finances of the local church.