For just about every function of the church, there are parachurch groups trying to fill the role. The primary mission of the church is summed up by Christ in Matthew 28:19-20, which we call the Great Commission: Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Encompassed in this command are evangelism (only believers can be baptized), teaching, and discipling. The most common one we hear about with parachurches is evangelism, bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The best known evangelist of our time is Billy Graham, but there are a multitude of others, including many whose primary field of operations is the television, like Pat Robertson. A well-known group that falls in this category is the Gideons International, which tries to reach people indirectly through the placement of Bibles and Testaments, and directly through personal evangelism. Bible societies also reach out to people by distributing the Word, or by translating it, the special ministry of the Wycliffe Bible Translators. Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes are among groups that try to reach students for Christ.
Missionaries are also evangelists, sometimes in foreign countries, but in their own country as well. Most missionaries are sponsored by a local church, or several churches, but sent out to the field by mission boards. BIMI, Baptist Independent Missions, is the largest such agency for Fundamental Baptists.
Ministries such as soup kitchens and food pantries try to meet the physical needs of people, but at the same time try to bring them to Christ. Many local churches have ministries of this kind, but many others operate independently. Prison Fellowship International is one of many groups ministering to those in prisons and jails. Christian Children's Fund is one of many Christian groups trying to help children in underdeveloped countries. Such groups are sometimes called "social welfare ministries".
As to teaching, the obvious ones are Christian schools, colleges, and universities. Even those once connected with denominations, such as Southern Methodist University, now operate independently. Almost every denomination has colleges that try to educate students according to a particular set of beliefs. Among the better-known Fundamental colleges are Pensacola Christian College, Crown College, and Ambassador College.
Discipling involves teaching, but it is also a lifetime experience of helping Christians grow and develop spiritually. Indirectly, it also involves meeting the day to day needs of Christians, and of nonbelievers as well. Focus on the Family and In Touch Ministries try to educate the public on Christian beliefs through radio and TV shows, books, and seminars. House churches, self-help groups, and Bible study groups reach out to individuals in small groups, at the everyday level. The Christian Law Association tries to protect the rights of Christian individuals, ministries, and churches.
One of the newest and fastest growing areas of parachurch ministries is on the Internet. This ministry, Online Christian Stores, is a parachurch ministry, and just about every ministry that operates in the outside world also has an online ministry. Many churches also have websites, but few of them really take advantage of the Internet as an evangelistic tool. Most ministry sites are directed more at believers than at unbelievers, though ministering to believers is also a function of the church, and of parachurch groups.
Taken as a whole, the thousands of parachurch organizations do a tremendous amount of good in carrying out the Great Commission. The next article deals with the major advantages connected with parachurches.