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

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

3. Parachurch ● Then they ask the churches to support and pay for the things they buy and the work they are doing. ● Parachurch = “para” - beside, as in parallel ● 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 ● 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 ● The local congregation is given the authority to give financial support to their own work, other congregations, and people in need of help. ● There is a difference in supporting an organization and buying its service.

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

9. Basic Principles to Understand ● 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. ● Status as a non-profit organization does not mean that support by a church is scriptural.

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

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

12. Basic Principles to Understand ● Such organizations might be expedient, but for something to be expedient it must first be lawful. ● 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. ● 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 ● People concerned about single parents, homeless women, battered women, abused women (and their children) ● 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. ● But they seek financial support for their work. ● The Dream Center in Milan

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

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

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

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

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

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