An age-old tension within many churches is the extent to which they can or should join in with the reams of "para-church" organizations, mission agencies, charities, and evangelistic enterprises that do not fall under the governance of the Church but often seem to be far more fruitful in mission.

Whilst the answer may seem obvious, it brings up far more questions and connects to numerous related issues. What is a church? Is it any group of faithful believers who happen to be on mission together within a given context? Do we even have a Biblical precedent for para-church? If we give our best energies to organizations beyond the Church, does this not undermine the local church's missional purpose? How can para-church enthusiasts retain a genuine love for and commitment to the local church whilst pioneering new ventures beyond it? Can local churches do more to support para-churches too? How might church leaders be challenged to be less territorial, recovering the apostolic heart for mission both within and beyond their local context?

All this and more on this packed episode of Pod of the Gaps!

RESOURCES:

- Terry Virgo, Restoration in the Church (Kingsway, 1985)

- Rhys Laverty, "Pastors all the Way Down" The New Albion Pastors All the Way Down? - by Rhys Laverty (substack.com)

- Jon Bloom, "What is a Parachurch Ministry?" https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-a-parachurch-ministry

- https://www.solas-cpc.org/about/

- https://www.spuc.org.uk/About-Us/What-We-Do