Josh Williamson
Puritan Board Freshman
The idea that these organisations are filling a need the churches have somehow failed to provide is without foundation.
That may be quite true in Australia - my knowledge deals only with the United States, where I know that you have not stated does not apply as a universal truth.
As an ordained Australian minister, who has worked in churches and para-church organisations, I don't think the statement is true of Australia. Every para-church organisation I have associated with has arisen out of needs that were not being met by churches, or out of a desire to unite the church for a common goal (i.e. sending missionaries).