Parachurch organizations are religious groups that operate independently of any denomination, allowing Christians of different backgrounds to unite towards common goals. They can serve various purposes, but some hate groups also use this model. Membership is open to all who identify with the organization’s values.
Parachurch organizations are religious organizations that do not operate under the auspices of any particular faith tradition. In the context of the larger Christian church, a parachurch organization can be the means to enable Christians of different denominations to come together in pursuit of a common goal. As the organization is not liable to any denomination, it is free to function within the parameters of its charter and only need to report to the members of the organization for any action it takes.
The idea of a para-ecclesial organization has been around for several years. During the 19th century, abolitionist organizations that weren’t directly tied to a particular denomination provided a means for people who were anti-slavery to unite their efforts without having to report to any Christian church. In the early 20th century, parachurch organizations formed for other purposes, such as providing assistance to war-torn areas of the world or providing soup kitchens or other support during the American Depression.
Along with many useful purposes, a parachurch organization can also be a means of bringing together people who wish to promote a belief system that involves prejudice against others for a variety of reasons. Many hate groups that organize around a particular faith-based doctrine are parachurch organizations. The rise of hate groups has somewhat given this type of organization a bad reputation, despite the continued presence of many of these organizations serving a variety of constructive purposes in the wider community.
A parachurch organization can be built around any common set of values and goals. This means it can focus on promoting well-being among a particular gender, age group, economic group or race. At the same time, one can develop in response to a need present within a given community, such as poor relief, or providing lifelong ministry to people with mental disabilities.
People who join parachurch organizations do not normally have to sever ties with any Christian denomination. The organization’s work is often seen as expressing a particular religious principle that may not be fully possible within a single denomination. Many of these organizations are started by a core group of people associated with a particular denomination, but open their membership to all people who identify with the mission statement and core values of the organization.
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