Lighthouse Bible Church IS a Local Church!!

As I have promised to those who have asked, I will be posting on topics that will no doubt generate some measure of controversy as I will press some of the hot button topics that many of our members have had to confront.

The local church versus parachurch controversy has long been an issue, not just in San Diego with LBC but throughout the Christian community nationwide, if not worldwide. Contrary to some reports by various individuals and parachurch ministries, I have never once stated that I hate parachurch ministries, believe that parachurch ministries are evil, or have pushed for people to leave parachurch ministries. I do have many concerns though, and I will stress several of them here.

Concern #1 - A Disregard for the Importance of the Local Church Ministry

There are many who have experienced many blessings through parachurch ministries (myself included) and there is no doubt that God can and will use various parachurch ministries to help people grow. But what is disconcerting is how many will show a passive attitude or even worse, a disdain for the importance of the local church. Granted, there are many local churches that have not conducted themselves well and are often unable to provide the breadth of ministries that are needed, especially for collegians. So many collegians, finding the convenience of a parachurch ministry to be quite the draw, will immerse themselves into the campus ministry, joining small groups, service teams, retreats, seminars, leadership roles and meetings, and a host of activities that will often keep them quite busy throughout the week and even the weekend, to the point where any discretionary time will be quickly taken up. With the demand for academic studies, other extra-curricular activities, the first candidate for getting axed out of the regular schedule will often be involvement in the local church. This is justified by many claiming that since they are involved in the "universal church" through the parachurch, there should be no problems with their lack of involvement.

This in itself is problematic in that the understanding of the "universal church" was never meant to be a justification to avoid being committed to the local church ministry. 1 Timothy 3:15 states the words of the apostle Paul:

But in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

This follows the section on church leaders as well as conduct within the church relating to men's and women's roles and so there seems to be a clear indication that there is to be a certain structure and guidelines that a church must follow in order to constitute a legitimate local church body. There is supposed to be a clear accountability to God's Word as well as to the leaders that God calls for a church to submit to that needs to be in place (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

My concern is with those who would advocate that involvement in a parachurch ministry can be a legitimate replacement for the local church. I would say that involvement in a parachurch ministry is fine but must be subordinate to a commitment to the local church being primary.

I was an advisor to a campus ministry a number of years ago and one of the servant leaders communicated that she was going to step down from her responsibilities at the parachurch ministry due to the fact that her load was quite heavy and that she couldn't do both the parachurch and her local church ministry. The response of the core leaders was quite surprising to me as they made an issue of her integrity to maintaining her commitment, while at the same time disregarding the policy that had been communicated to everyone that if one had to choose between local church and parachurch ministry, it would be no question that one should stick with the local church. When I brought this up, the leaders simply dismissed it and insisted that the greater issue was the integrity of the individual for not carrying out her commitment at the parachurch ministry. This to me showed an utter disregard for the importance of the local church ministry.

I recently had a discussion with a leader from another parachurch ministry who was surprised to hear me state the "priority" of the local church. He asked me to define that distinction and what ensued was a very enlightening response which simply portrayed a position that saw no distinction between the local church and the parachurch ministry. This again showed me a disregard for what seems to be a clear presentation of the New Testament about the importance of being involved in the local church.

It might be that because many have had negative experiences in a local church and a positive experience in a parachurch ministry that this kind of attitude might arise. Admittedly, there are many churches who unfortunately have not done a good job in fulfilling what the Scriptures call a church to be. But just because there is an abuse does not mean that the principle is wrong (as I have been told so many times regarding other issues). What really needs to be addressed is the lack of accountability that so many parachurch ministries have, no matter how well-intentioned they might be.

It is no surprise that many parachurch ministries fluctuate tremendously from year to year depending on the level of spirituality shown by the members. Doctrinal distinctives often change with the tide and whatever happens to be the flavor of the month will often dictate what will set the tone. Since there are no clear parameters set (other than to be as minimal as possible so as to provide the widest range of availability), decisions are made that often contradict the original intentions of those who founded the ministry. This is exactly what I found in the parachurch ministry that I was involved with, which had very purposely worked toward putting ourselves out of existence as a parachurch ministry as the goal was to equip people to strengthen the churches. But this purpose was later cast aside because, as I was told, "things had changed" and what might have been true before was no longer valid.

My challenge to parachurches would be this - how is it that the standards of a ministry can be so vague, especially when it comes to the qualifications of leaders when the Scriptures call very clearly for character and proven-ness, especially that no new convert should be a leader because of the danger of pride? How is it that individuals who would never qualify as an elder, deacon, or deaconess at a local church could so easily be given a role where there is teaching, shepherding, and training involved without proper equipping? How is it that someone can lead a discipleship small group when he or she has not been properly discipled? I have seen this happen time and time again, with the consequences being that of many who receive superficial help, often times outright dangerous counsel that is devoid of Biblical principles and authority. It is no surprise then to see many upon graduating from college go backwards, even to go as far as to deny the faith, which I have unfortunately seen take place even with those from my college years.

Lighthouse has had the opportunity to provide the kind of shepherding ministry that fulfills the Titus 2 mandate (older men/women training the younger men/women) as well as to provide the kind of accountability that individuals need through the membership process and accountability. The elders of the church take very seriously the role of shepherding the flock because we know that many are exposed to all sorts of dangerous influences that undermine the Lordship of Christ and the authority, sufficiency, and clarity of Scripture. With all the latest fads (i.e. seeker-sensitive churches, emergent churches, egalitarianism, open theism, etc.), there is a desperate need for believers to have the kind of shepherding that will protect them from the savage wolves that will come from WITHIN the church!!

Acts 20:27-30
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

This was Paul speaking to the elders of the Ephesian church and as he met them in Miletus, he gave them his final words as he anticipated his arrest in Jerusalem. Notice that Paul addresses them as "overseers" and that they are called to "shepherd the church of God." This is exactly what takes place in the "evangelical" world today - herds of wolves who infiltrate the church with all sorts of error, all in the name of "doing good."

It is on many occasions (though not exclusively) that doctrinal deviance takes place in parachurch ministries and there is absolutely no accountability or safeguards that are in place to protect people from bad doctrine. The local church with a godly eldership was God's design to protect the church. Again, it is unfortunate that many churches have not provided this but this does not mean that God's design has failed. It means that man has been disobedient and instead of changing God's design, we should actually FOLLOW IT!!!

I know that this has ended up being only the first concern - I will follow this up with more concerns shortly.

But suffice it to say - I truly do love the local church ministry that we have at Lighthouse and pray that we will humbly honor God through our obedience to fulfill the calling of what a church is meant to be according to His Word. We also need to pray for our sister local churches to really fulfill God's calling as well. We do need to pray for parachurch ministries as well so that they would honor God and respect His Word concerning the ministry of the local church.