Beyond Church and Parachurch: From Competition to Missional Extension

Angie Ward (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is director of the Doctor of Ministry program and associate professor of leadership and ministry at Denver Seminary. She is the author of Uncharted Leadership: 20 Case Studies to Help Ministry Leaders Adapt to Uncertainty and I Am a Leader: When Women Discover the Joy of Their Calling. Angie has over thirty-five years of leadership experience in church, nonprofit, and higher education ministry. A sportswriter in a previous life, Angie loves running, basketball, humor, and movies. She and her pastor-husband live in Denver. They have two grown sons and one very spoiled beagle.

"Angie Ward has given us an important, bold, and constructively thought-provoking book. In an era of individual deconstruction and 'churchless' Christianity, she calls upon Christians—as individuals, churches, and organizations—to think, be, and do together in ways that will more effectively advance God's work in the world. She dedicates the book 'Pro Ecclesia et Pro Regnum,' and reading it—and acting upon it—will be good indeed for the church and for the kingdom."

-- W. David Buschart, professor of theology and historical studies at Denver Seminary

"Angie Ward has rightly recognized the need for a book-length study of parachurch ministry for the twenty-first century. While brief and accessible, Beyond Church and Parachurch gives attention to history, sociology, missiology, and most importantly, theology in helping readers understand the issues. Ward probes and broadens key terms, critiques influential paradigms, and even dares propose her own—all to help properly understand and effectively promote God's work in the world. A timely, encouraging, and practical book for frontline volunteers, pastors, educators, and leaders of global ministries."

-- Mikey Lynch, editorial director for The Gospel Coalition Australia and Hobart staff team leader for the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students

"With her characteristic wit and wisdom, Dr. Ward helps us to negotiate the relationship between the church and the parachurch—sometimes confusing, sometimes contentious—by offering a broader vision of the mission of God. Drawing on robust ecclesiology that emphasizes the value and power of the local church, Dr. Ward shows how churches and parachurch organizations might come to think of themselves, and each other, as partners within the same missional ecosystem, opening up fresh ways of moving from competition to collaboration."

-- Ryan Tafilowski, Chair of the Department of Theology at Denver Seminary and coauthor with W. David Buschart of Worth Doing

"Do you feel like all we have is bad news about the church and stories of divisive hostile competition between Christians? How can we be the body of Christ, properly functioning together for the gospel advance in our generation? Beyond Church and Parachurch reveals the way forward. Angie Ward is a faithful fellow pilgrim on the journey toward a genuinely shared, collaborative, Christ-exalting ministry of the whole body of Christ through every member—inside and outside all the walls we've constructed among us. The Church's work requires every member, fully engaged, now. Let's get to it."

-- Carmen LaBerge, radio host, kingdom communicator, and author

"Beyond Church and Parachurch is a groundbreaking guide for Christian leaders seeking to bridge gaps and break silos in ministry. Angie Ward draws from her deep expertise to challenge traditional paradigms and offer a compelling vision for integrated ministry. With thought-provoking case studies and practical strategies, this book is essential for anyone who desires to see the whole church working together for the sake of the whole world. This is not just a book—it's a call to action that will reshape your framework and approach to ministry, equipping you to serve with clarity and unity."

-- Meredith King, author of Immovable and founder of True to Life Ministries

"This volume is a worthy, timely, and provocative contribution to a vitally important topic that is widely misunderstood, particularly in the Protestant world. If applied today, these insights would greatly enhance our overall kingdom effectiveness and powerfully enhance our missional synergy."

-- Sam Metcalf, president emeritus of Novo-US

"Now more than ever, congregations and nonprofit ministries must work together to equip God's people to reach neighbors and nations. Angie's book makes a compelling contribution to this urgent yet often overlooked conversation, adroitly integrating theology and history with examples and practical application. This is for every church, every nonprofit, and for every Christian who seeks to understand God's design for the church reaching the world."

-- Scott Harris, vice president of church and global engagement and Mission Increase

"Angie Ward might just have resolved the long debate about the divide between the church and the parachurch. She sees their differences not so much in terms of purpose, personnel, or geography but in terms of specialization. Angie says the church must be missional in its role as a community, servant, and messenger in the world, while parachurches are missional extensions into one or other of those areas. That kind of thinking just might break the logjam in this discussion. Angie Ward's book is a winsome mix of solid ecclesiology, excellent missiology, and a deep love for God's people."

-- Michael Frost, founder of the Tinsley Institute at Morling College in Sydney, Australia, and coauthor with Christiana Rice of To Alter Your World

"What if the church and its missional partners were colaborers rather than competitors in the work of the kingdom? Angie Ward calls us out of our ecclesial silos to reclaim a collaborative relationship between the church and parachurch organizations. In this timely and important book, Ward's practical recommendations for working together as one, unified body will be essential as the American church faces challenges in the post-institutional era."

-- Jayne Wilcox, assistant professor oftheology at Ashland Theological Seminary and host of the SHEcclesiologyGirls Talking Church podcast

"The one book you need to demystify the complicated history and future of the church and parachurch relationship."

-- Kelli J Smith, vice president of church engagement at The MomCo