The Do's & Don'ts of Partnering with Parachurch Organizations | Beyond the Youth Room • Ep 25

Let’s talk about parachurch organizations! If you missed the podcast, you can check it out here. Definitely not a topic to shy away from, "Beyond the Youth Room," hosts Keith Seymour and Ryne Caudle delve into the strategic considerations and best practices for partnering with parachurch organizations to enhance community outreach. Sponsored by Edge Clubs (yes, also a parachurch ministry), which offers free resources aimed at connecting students to Jesus and the local church.

Kicking off with a question from a local youth leader about effective partnerships with parachurch ministries, our hosts want to make sure everyone understand their working definition of “parachurch.” They also emphasize Edge Clubs’ role in training and equipping for outreach, stressing, again, that it's available entirely for free.

So, how do Keith and Ryne define a “parachurch organization"?”

They describe parachurch organizations as entities separate from local churches but designed to support them in specific missions or tasks. Examples include missions agencies, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, and others. These organizations often fill gaps in local church ministries.

As for youth leaders who want to partner with these organizations, Keith and Ryne advise them to identify available parachurch organizations in one's area and assess these organizations’ mission and values. Do they align with your mission, especially when it comes to focusing on schools where the church already has students? What does it look like to join God where He is already working and ensuring any partnership aligns with the local church's mission and enhances its efforts?

If it’s a “yes,” what are some practical next steps for a partnership? Keith and Ryne share about what they look for in a partnership with a parachurch organization:

• Prioritize gospel-advancing efforts over mere discipleship.
• Be strategic about the use of time and resources, ensuring they contribute to the main mission of outreach and evangelism.
• Evaluate the partnership's potential to support the local church’s work, rather than replacing it or competing with it.

They also open up about personal experiences with parachurch ministries, and discuss pitfalls, such as overcommitment, and exhort their audience to focus on partnerships that genuinely advance the gospel and support the local church’s mission.

Finally, Keith and Bryan recap the importance of carefully selecting parachurch partners, focusing on those that enhance the church’s outreach efforts, and not overcommitting. They encourage open communication with potential partners to ensure alignment in mission and strategy.