For the record, I am not against parachurch organizations. Goodness gracious, I teach at one. But clearly a seminary is not a church, even a denominational seminary.
Churches are local bodies led by elders/pastors. Parachurch organizations usually exist independently of a local church and local church leadership. People join a church through baptism and membership, while parachurch organizations lack these as they are not designed to supplant the local church. The goal of a parachurch organization is not to replace the local church but to assist its ministry.
As you know, when I was a teenager I surfed practically every day. During the summer months the South Shore (Waikiki, Ala Moana) was the place to be. And for a while, during my formative years as a believer, I stopped attending my local church in Kailua in order to participate in a parachurch organization called the Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy. I think this was largely due to its charismatic leader and his outstanding ability to teach God's word. Services were held at the lagoon next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village's "Rainbow Tower."
On Sunday mornings we'd load up our boards, drive to Waikiki, and grab a few waves before paddling in to attend the 10:00 am service. Afterwards we'd paddle right back out again. I guess you could say I was a Jesus Freak. I even had the long hair and mariachi sandals to prove it. True, I had much hope for the local church, but she gave me too much indigestion at the time and was, you know, way too "churchy" for me.
That all changed when I turned 16. I began to miss my friends at First Baptist Church Windward. The church was a bit of a mess, but bless her, she was the church. At end of the day, I realized that the Lord himself had promised to build "my church," and so that's where I wanted to spend my energy for the rest of my days. I couldn't wait to plug back in -- choir director, deacon, youth group leader. Unsurprisingly, I felt right at home. This was my church, this was my ohana. I had left the organized church because it was filled with "hypocrites." I had returned when I realized that I was as much of a hypocrite as anybody else.
What incredibly important theology.
My faith community became beautiful again. I gave shocking grace to my bruddahs and sistas, and they gave it right back.