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By Chuck Bomar
10/14/2008
Because the church has historically done little to reach out to and disciple college students para church organizations have stepped up in our place. So, to those of you that wouldn’t settle for the detachment of college-age people and faithfully walk with them on campuses, I say “thank you.”
That said I have some concerns with the role para church organizations have had to play in the lives of college students. First, when Jesus left the earth he didn’t leave Christian college’s or para church organizations to care for and disciple people
He left the Church. I personally think there’s a place for para church organizations (I founded one), but these are supposed to support local churches in their life long discipleship of people. Campus ministers have had to temporarily fill in, but they can’t fulfill the obligation.That said I have some concerns with the role para church organizations have had to play in the lives of college students.
Chuck is Pastor of Student ministries at Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA; a professor at Eternity Bible College; and founder of CollegeLeader.org – an organization assisting churches in launching and developing college-age ministries.
I am agree with you but i have noticed not every campus is failed for college age peoples. Like institute from where i have taken ccie certification, ccna certification and ccsp certification. That institute has still good repute and best for students.
yalka678 3:07:00am on 7/29/2009
OffensiveI agree with much of what you say, especially about the failure of many campus ministries to prepare students to find healthy churches upon graduation and relocation. Having said that, I would like to point out that "the Church" is more than "churches". Campus ministry organizations are a manifestation of the Church for which Christ died, and are part of that entity which the gates of hell shall not prevail against. This important point is frequently overlooked in discussions about the relationships between campus ministries and churches.
Glen Davis 10:11:47am on 11/04/2008
OffensiveWhat is it that the church brings that the para churches do not? Succinct but powerful answers are welcome! lol!
P. 2:10:11pm on 10/23/2008
OffensiveHey James, thanks for your comment. Yes, I do agree with you. The "church" is people, not buildings (1Peter 2:4-16) and the Church is a body of believers who live together in joy, pain, etc.. However, I would say there is a clear distinction in scripture with a local church body and how it's to function. This would include elders (1Timothy 3), a pastor (for example Timothy was in Ephesus, Titus in Crete, etc.), and so forth. It's also described in Scripture as being a body that crosses any life or age stage. It's a picture of the whole body living together - young, old, married, widowed, etc. Para-Church, in the context of this article, are those that have one age/life stage and without the structure of leadership God has instituted in Scripture. So, that's how I would describe the difference. Does that help?
chuck bomar 11:10:25am on 10/23/2008
OffensiveWhat makes a para church organization different than a church? I'm not attacking your statements, I agree with what you have to say, especially the point that para church organizations fail to help students make the transition to a church after college, but isn't the church a community of believers that worships, struggles and grows together? And if that is what a church is, why is a PCO any different than a church?
James 3:10:42pm on 10/22/2008
OffensiveI agree that the church should be doing the things that para churches are doing. I work for a para church and have been offered positions in churches to do ministry but give up the outreach and keep to the "Churched kids". Unfortunately the churches that should be taking the place of para churches are few and far between and the ones that have the capability to learn from the para churches don't want a lot of times do not want to because they are home missionaries and if you were someone in ministry worth being in ministry you should be on staff at a church. (This last part is an attitude not a worded out statement.) I have made so many efforts to help churches who want to develop an outreach within our ministry area as a para church and they turn down the help because some large churches in other states will run seminars and conventions that they can take trips to on the church bill. Or the church does not even have the budget to have a youth worker on staff let alone train them to do any sort of outreach. I am still a firm believer that Para churches should be working themselves out their jobs so the church can take over, but para churches are filled with people that are part of the body of Christ doing what in many areas churches are still unwilling to do, or be so self inclusive that the thought of partnering with a para church or other churches is beneath them.
Joshua Bishop 12:10:58pm on 10/16/2008
OffensiveThank you. I stepped out this year into the college ministry needs of our church. I have worked with the youth 20+ years. as our students graduated I felt there was a void there and if the youth are the future of our church then why do we loose them when they go to college? I have searched for help and Bible studies for the college students. I use your web site for youth but havent received much on college.
Cookie 3:10:08pm on 10/15/2008
Offensive
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