PARAPASTRIX

By on Oct 12, 2012 in Current Issues, Definitions, Features

By Nephy Lim

PARAPASTRIX    [par–uh pas’ -trīx,

[Greek, para-,  combining form representing pará  (preposition) beside, alongside of, by, beyond. Pastor, n., a person having spiritual care of a number of persons, Latin pāstor  shepherd, literally, feeder, equivalent to pās-,  base of pāscere  to put to pasture,  feed + -tor -tor. Trix, A suffix borrowed directly from Latin, -trix  has been used since the 15th century on feminine agent nouns that correspond to a masculine (in Latin)]

  1. An evangelical woman in a position of leadership authority in a parachurch organization that may or may not be connected directly to a church, denomination, network or other parachurch group.
  2. A professional evangelical woman, often a highly trained executive with advanced college degrees, often with considerable corporate experience, who serves in a position of leadership or authority – including on a board of directors, as a consultant, or spiritual director over a parachurch type organization.
  3. An evangelical woman who heads her own public parachurch ministry who exercises widespread authority over other evangelicals, influencing their spiritual beliefs through her own unique theological teachings, ideas, practices, prophecies, and/or other spiritual activities – all of which are promoted widely in forums such as conventions, conferences, seminars, media events, television, book signings, etc.
  4. An evangelical woman of power and influence, status and significance, who oversees and directs the spiritual care of individuals and/or organizations and/or social concerns in the parachurch sector, including faith-based operations, quasi-public/private partnership enterprises, and “missional” organizations involved in cultural renewal, social work, transformation, and/or dominion.
  5. A female leader in the emerging/emergent church movement who serves in the capacity of change agent for theological and cultural revolution, either through her talents, credentials, beauty, or her ability to serve as a pop icon. See Sacred Cows and Stars.

Further reading