Para-church or Local Church?

I’m going to be working for the first time with our church’s college ministry this fall.  Which means, of course, that I’m finding things to read about it.  One of the college ministry blogs I was looking at today was discussing the (often rocky) relationship between the college ministry of the local churches and the work of the parachurch organizations localized at the college itself (ministries like InterVarsity and Campus Crusade).  The comments on the blog moved back and forth about why college students should be involved in a church, versus be focused on on-campus ministries.

But, as best as I understand ecclesiology, the definition of church is the body of believers who call Jesus Lord and are worshipping together and building each other up.  So, really, both parachurch organizations and local churches fit the definition of “church.” Obviously, the strengths of these two types of “church” will be different.  The shape of the community will be different.  Those who feel strongly about parachurch orgs point out that these groups allow the students to be missional in their own culture, present and reaching out in their own environment of the university.  The local church, however, is where students will spend the rest of their lives, and perhaps they should be learning how to grow and serve and worship in this environment.

I’d love YOUR feedback, as I embark on this new journey into college ministry.  Please share your perspective:

• What parachurch organization do you belong to besides / instead of a local church?  What do you gain from that “external” type of church?
• What do you think college students MOST need to learn about being part of the (big C, Bride of Christ, community of believers) Church while they are in college?  If you are older than college age, what do you wish you had learned then?  Do you think that could have been done best by a parachurch org or by a local church?

Thanks!