Evangelical Ethos of Parachurch Entitlement

I have always been supportive of parachurch organizations.I was heavily involved in a Christian organization while a student at the University of Kentucky.I earned two degrees from a seminary.I served with a mission agency for nine years.I taught as a Bible college professor (at three different schools) and seminary professor for fourteen years.I am an adjunct professor for a seminary.I speak several times each year to parachurch leaders and members of their organizations.Every church I've pastored has financially supported the parachurch agencies and institutions of my denomination.Our church partners with several different parachurch organizations.Much of my ministry has been (and continues to be) connected to parachurch ministries.I have always been supportive of parachurch organizations.However, my concern is that many parachurch organizations have not worked toward the completion of the parachurch purpose, but have created an evangelical ethos of parachurch entitlement.  Rather than empowering local churches, many have become an end unto themselves.Ask most parachurch leaders if God's plan is about the church or the parachurch and they will immediately say, "The Church, of course!"The Church is Plan A. There is no Plan B.  We know that.Everything needed to make disciples of all nations is found within the Church.  Everything needed for the sanctification of the saints is found within the Church.  God did not birth the Church and the Parachurch.Such Kingdom innovations are not necessarily bad things if done within the context of Kingdom parameters.But if parachurch groups establish definitions of successful ministry that local churches are unable to achieve, then we have a problem.  The problem becomes compounded if local churches agree to such definitions.  When the latter happens, we find ourselves in an atmosphere of parachurch entitlement.(Lord willing, I plan to continue this thought in my next post.)