Parachurch organization

Parachurch organizations are

In Protestant and Catholic theology parachurch organizations are termed sodality, as distinct from modality, which is the structure and organization of the local or universal church.

Roles and organizations

Parachurch organizations perform a number of roles, including:^[3]

• evangelistic crusade associations (patterned after the Billy Graham Association)
• evangelistic and
  YWAM), InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Scripture Union, Cru, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian Challenge, and The Navigators
  )
• music and print
  publishers
  , radio and television stations, film studios, online ministries
• study centers and institutes, schools, colleges and universities
• political and social
  activist
  groups
• disaster relief programs, and food pantries and clothing closets, and emergency aid centers (such as the City Missions
  )
• self-help groups
• Bible study groups

Evangelical parachurch growth

Evangelical parachurch organizations proliferated as a byproduct of the fundamentalist–modernist controversy. As modernist views penetrated mainline churches, those with more fundamentalist views who elected to stay reached across denominational boundaries for opportunities for Christian fellowship and outreach.^[5] While most parachurch organizations involved in social work operated in a collaborative mode, those engaged in evangelistic and discipleship ministries, particularly on college campuses, have at times been in fierce competition.^[6] Seeking to resolve such issues, Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Navigators, and Young Life signed the "Trail West Agreement", pledging mutual respect. The agreement was renewed in 2010 with thirteen additional signers as the "Chicago Agreement". according to a student's thesis from 2019.^[7]

See also

• Evangelicalism
• List of Protestant missionary societies

References