Dear loved ones -
As you know, i rarely post anything not written by me. However, I occasionally come across revelation so anointed and so obviously from the Holy Spirit that I feel obligated to share it. The following is by Cheryl MacGrath. It is part one. I will share part two in my next blog. Bless you, Chris
> UNCOVERING the "COVERING DOCTRINE"
> -by Cheryl MacGrath.
>
> In a number of the denominations I've been involved in, including at
> leadership level, a "doctrine of covering" was taught and accepted.
> And for many, many years, I never questioned this teaching. After
> all, everyone believed it; the leadership upheld it, so it must be
> right, right? It is only as the Holy Spirit has impressed me to study
> the scriptures more deeply on this teaching that I've had to come
> to terms with the fact that He NEVER originated it! In His infinite
> grace, He chose to wait patiently for a time when the Spirit of Truth
> would become dearer to me than the traditions of men.
>
> The teaching on "covering" goes like this. Everyone needs to be
> accountable to someone who is spiritually his or her superior. This
> someone may be your cell group leader, the head of a church
> department or your senior pastor etc. In turn, these leaders receive
> covering from someone further up the line, for instance a
> denominational leader or a "recognised" apostle. The necessity for
> this covering is based on the belief that believers need to be
> safeguarded from falling into error and/or sin. So covering is
> provided by those who are more spiritual than we to protect us
> from such error. At the top of this pyramid of covering there is quite
> often a well-known and recognised "name" but the chances of
> meeting or having any kind of relationship with that person if you
> are at the bottom of the pyramid are fairly slim. Currently, there are
> several networks offering this kind of covering to those in some
> form of church leadership or ministry, more often than not for an
> annual fee. The annual fee usually provides for the running of the
> network, and conferences where you can fellowship with others
> under your particular brand of covering. You may also be denied
> entrance from one of these networks because you don't have the
> appropriate credentials.
>
> One of the strange things about this "covering" teaching is that
> rarely is anyone asked about their spiritual covering, until they step
> outside their particular church, denomination or network. However,
> the minute a believer shows signs of having something important to
> share with the wider Body of Christ, suddenly all and sundry are
> interested primarily in that one important question: "Who are you
> covered by?" It all sounds pretty reasonable except for one problem -
> it's NOT FOUND in scripture. In fact, the early church was taught
> to rely on the inner anointing to discern the spiritual source of
> potential ministers. (1 John 2:20; 1 John 4:1)
>
> So, where did this idea originate that believers need to be "covered"
> in order to serve God and minister within Christ's Body? Are you,
> like many others, living your Christian life under the shadow of this
> fear that without "covering" you dare not minister, preach, pray or
> do a myriad of other things you're called to do by the Spirit of God,
> because you will somehow be ministering without protection?
>
> The purpose of this article is to shed some light on this issue
> based on scriptural truth. To begin with, though, we need to
> understand that this need to be covered by a perceived spiritual
> authority, and the scriptural instruction to submit ourselves to
> God's delegated authorities, are NOT necessarily one and the
> same thing. Furthermore, New Testament authority as
> demonstrated by Jesus and the first apostles, is servanthood-
> authority, upholding, strengthening, reinforcing and overseeing the
> Body from BENEATH, not DOMINEERING, CONTROLLING and
> RULING from ABOVE. Therefore, it is vital in examining this issue
> that we begin from a correct understanding of Biblical submission
> and Biblical authority.
>
> 'LET THIS MIND be IN YOU'
>
> "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who,
> being in the form of God, thought in not robbery to be equal with
> God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
> form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being
> found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
> obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:5-8)
>
> The current mindset we carry in much of the church concerning
> submission is quite unrelated to the submission taught and
> demonstrated by Jesus and the early apostles. There is a
> desperate need to return to the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
> The scripture tells us that though He was equal with the Father,
> Jesus CHOSE to submit Himself, He CHOSE to humble Himself,
> He CHOSE to obey. This is the key to Biblical submission, and the
> model laid down for us by both the Father and the Son.
>
> Submission is firstly a choice; a choice that can only ever be made
> by the giver. Biblical submission can never be demanded or forced.
> That kind of relationship is subservience, not submission. Jesus
> chose to subject Himself to the Father, but the Father "so loved
> the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son." Sacrificial giving
> and sacrificial submission are married to each other. In the Spirit,
> you cannot have one without the other. If you try, you will invariably
> end up with control, dependence and abuse rather than humility,
> interdependence and grace.
>
> The New Testament concept of submission, or subjection, is one
> of a totally voluntary attitude of giving, of yielding one's preference
> and deferring to another. In this way, Jesus as a child was subject
> to His parents, yet the scriptures record that He did not even
> consult them when He was "about His Father's business." (Luke 2:49,51)
>
> "IT SHALL NOT be SO AMONG YOU"
>
> "Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to
> watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God.
> Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That
> would certainly not be for your benefit." (Hebrews 13:17, NLT)
>
> "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know
> that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over
> them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it
> shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great
> among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to
> be first shall be slave of all." (Mark 10:42-44)
>
> "Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed
> how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when
> people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads."
> (Mark 10:42 The Message)
>
> There is no question that the scriptures instruct each one of us to
> submit to God's delegated authority. It is the understanding and
> the application of that authority we often stumble over. The Bible
> records that Jesus taught the twelve this Kingdom authority as
> they walked along the road to Jerusalem. His face had been set
> toward the Cross, and it is certain He was keenly aware of the
> short time He had left with them. Perhaps He was conversing with
> His Father about what were the most important lessons He could
> impart to them during the time that was left. We know that He
> heard them disputing over who among them was the best
> "leadership material". Perhaps Peter, having not long before
> witnessed Jesus' transfiguration, thought that gave him special
> status. Perhaps James and John felt they were more likely
> candidates for rulership than impetuous Peter. Shortly before,
> they had asked Jesus to give them special places of honour in
> His Kingdom. Whatever had started their dispute, Jesus certainly
> knew how to end it!
>
> "Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave....."
> (Matt. 20:27).
>
> The Lord was speaking to a group of people who had grown up
> under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Romans exercised their
> authority through forced subjection and harsh cruelty. In fact, the
> literal translation of the words Jesus used in reference to Roman
> rule mean "to be under the power of" and "to be subdued." Despite
> having witnessed Jesus using a very different kind of authority and
> power, the disciples had not yet understood exactly what He
> would require of them. The Romans were, in the political sense,
> their masters. Yet here was Jesus stating that to exercise the
> authority He was going to invest in them they would need to
> become slaves to one another, and not masters. One might safely
> assume these weren't words any of them particularly wanted to
> hear that day!
>
> Kingdom authority has nothing to do with titles, positions,
> educational qualifications or reputation. Kingdom authority is
> granted by the Lord according to the measure with which He can
> trust us to wield it with humility. The greatest authority in the
> kingdom is reserved for His bondslaves.
>
> WHAT about ACCOUNTABILITY?
>
> In today's church system we have confused the word "covering"
> with the need for accountability. Consequently many are holding
> themselves accountable to people with title and position,
> regardless of whether or not they are developing an ongoing
> transparent relationship with that person. In the Kingdom, it is not
> possible to be truly accountable to those with whom we are not
> actively growing in relationship. How can I be trusted to call you to
> account righteously if I don't love you in Christ? How can you love
> me with Christ-like love and not call me to account?
>
> Paul was able to correct the Corinthians because he had true
> relationship with them. He had travailed over them, nurtured them,
> wept for them and rejoiced with them. Therefore he was able to
> reprove them, for their edification and not for their destruction.
> (2 Corinthians 13:10)
>
> When we turn to the scriptures for guidance on this issue of
> accountability, a startling fact confronts us. The News Testament
> mentions accountability ONLY in terms of the believer towards
> God. The scripture teaches that we will give accountability TO
> GOD ALONE in the following areas:
>
> *stewardship (Luke 16:2)
> *ourselves (Rom. 14:12)
> *fruit (Phil 4:17)
> *what we do in the flesh (1 Pet. 4:5)
> *leaders shall give account for the souls they watch over (Heb. 13:17)
>
> What then, DO the scriptures teach about how believers, as
> members of the corporate Body of Christ, are to relate to one another?
>
> "... all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with
> humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
> (1 Peter 5:5)
>
> In Galatians Chapter Two we read of a journey Paul took to
> Jerusalem. He states that he went up "by revelation", that is, at
> the instigation of the Holy Spirit, in order to confirm that the gospel
> he had been preaching was approved by the eldership of the
> Jerusalem church. He goes on to state that "those who seemed to
> be something, whatever they were, it makes no difference to me,"
> had nothing to add to his teachings. He further adds that when
> James, Cephas (Peter) and John perceived the grace God had
> shown him, he was given the "right hand of fellowship."
>
> At the instigation of the Holy Spirit, Paul had subjected himself to
> the Jerusalem eldership, including Peter, for the purpose of
> accountability. One may safely assume that Peter, having spent
> around three years day and night with Jesus, and highly regarded
> by the early believers, held very great authority in the church. Paul,
> however did not ask Peter to cover him. Instead, he did not
> hesitate in calling Peter to account when Peter was later swayed
> to go back on his word by the fear of men (Gal. 2:11-14). Bear in
> mind this is the same Peter who stated "We ought to obey God
> rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
>
> These men understood the nature of relationship through the Holy
> Spirit; ALL of you be submissive to one another, ALL of you be
> clothed with humility. Each of us is accountable to one another,
> whatever our function in the Body, whether apostles, teachers,
> deacons or helpers. This is the church Christ is building.
>
> To say that we are demonstrating accountability to a person or
> group of people we may briefly rub shoulders with at a meeting
> once or twice a week, or perhaps once or twice a year, is ludicrous.
> True accountability is about how we express Christ in us - our
> lifestyle, our character and our integrity in families, jobs and
> church community. This cannot be measured outside Godly
> relationships, and without a humble willingness to be in subjection
> one to another. Each one of us needs to seek out and submit
> ourselves to those in the Body the Lord has placed close to us to
> provide that accountability, regardless of their position, title or
> function. Each one of us needs to be willing, in humility and
> service, to provide that same accountability base for others in the
> Body. This applies to leadership equally as it does to the newest,
> most inexperienced member of the Christian community.
>
> Sadly, what we see today in so much of the church, is a frenzied
> jockeying for position under the supposedly protective umbrella of
> some ministry name or reputation, in order to prove ourselves
> "covered". "WHO COVERS YOU?" has become one of the most
> frequently asked questions among Christians, and too often it is
> the deciding factor in assessing a ministry's integrity or otherwise.
> Consequently, an unsatisfactory answer to that question in some
> church circles can label you "outside the camp" and almost
> certainly not to be trusted. Christians are judging each other's
> worth and relationship with God on this issue of covering, and
> using it to justify self-righteousness and spiritual elitism.
>
> In Part Two of this study we will talk about what is at the root of
> this distorted doctrine, and the clear choices that lie before us in
> order to be free from it.
>
As you know, i rarely post anything not written by me. However, I occasionally come across revelation so anointed and so obviously from the Holy Spirit that I feel obligated to share it. The following is by Cheryl MacGrath. It is part one. I will share part two in my next blog. Bless you, Chris
> UNCOVERING the "COVERING DOCTRINE"
> -by Cheryl MacGrath.
>
> In a number of the denominations I've been involved in, including at
> leadership level, a "doctrine of covering" was taught and accepted.
> And for many, many years, I never questioned this teaching. After
> all, everyone believed it; the leadership upheld it, so it must be
> right, right? It is only as the Holy Spirit has impressed me to study
> the scriptures more deeply on this teaching that I've had to come
> to terms with the fact that He NEVER originated it! In His infinite
> grace, He chose to wait patiently for a time when the Spirit of Truth
> would become dearer to me than the traditions of men.
>
> The teaching on "covering" goes like this. Everyone needs to be
> accountable to someone who is spiritually his or her superior. This
> someone may be your cell group leader, the head of a church
> department or your senior pastor etc. In turn, these leaders receive
> covering from someone further up the line, for instance a
> denominational leader or a "recognised" apostle. The necessity for
> this covering is based on the belief that believers need to be
> safeguarded from falling into error and/or sin. So covering is
> provided by those who are more spiritual than we to protect us
> from such error. At the top of this pyramid of covering there is quite
> often a well-known and recognised "name" but the chances of
> meeting or having any kind of relationship with that person if you
> are at the bottom of the pyramid are fairly slim. Currently, there are
> several networks offering this kind of covering to those in some
> form of church leadership or ministry, more often than not for an
> annual fee. The annual fee usually provides for the running of the
> network, and conferences where you can fellowship with others
> under your particular brand of covering. You may also be denied
> entrance from one of these networks because you don't have the
> appropriate credentials.
>
> One of the strange things about this "covering" teaching is that
> rarely is anyone asked about their spiritual covering, until they step
> outside their particular church, denomination or network. However,
> the minute a believer shows signs of having something important to
> share with the wider Body of Christ, suddenly all and sundry are
> interested primarily in that one important question: "Who are you
> covered by?" It all sounds pretty reasonable except for one problem -
> it's NOT FOUND in scripture. In fact, the early church was taught
> to rely on the inner anointing to discern the spiritual source of
> potential ministers. (1 John 2:20; 1 John 4:1)
>
> So, where did this idea originate that believers need to be "covered"
> in order to serve God and minister within Christ's Body? Are you,
> like many others, living your Christian life under the shadow of this
> fear that without "covering" you dare not minister, preach, pray or
> do a myriad of other things you're called to do by the Spirit of God,
> because you will somehow be ministering without protection?
>
> The purpose of this article is to shed some light on this issue
> based on scriptural truth. To begin with, though, we need to
> understand that this need to be covered by a perceived spiritual
> authority, and the scriptural instruction to submit ourselves to
> God's delegated authorities, are NOT necessarily one and the
> same thing. Furthermore, New Testament authority as
> demonstrated by Jesus and the first apostles, is servanthood-
> authority, upholding, strengthening, reinforcing and overseeing the
> Body from BENEATH, not DOMINEERING, CONTROLLING and
> RULING from ABOVE. Therefore, it is vital in examining this issue
> that we begin from a correct understanding of Biblical submission
> and Biblical authority.
>
> 'LET THIS MIND be IN YOU'
>
> "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who,
> being in the form of God, thought in not robbery to be equal with
> God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
> form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being
> found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
> obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:5-8)
>
> The current mindset we carry in much of the church concerning
> submission is quite unrelated to the submission taught and
> demonstrated by Jesus and the early apostles. There is a
> desperate need to return to the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.
> The scripture tells us that though He was equal with the Father,
> Jesus CHOSE to submit Himself, He CHOSE to humble Himself,
> He CHOSE to obey. This is the key to Biblical submission, and the
> model laid down for us by both the Father and the Son.
>
> Submission is firstly a choice; a choice that can only ever be made
> by the giver. Biblical submission can never be demanded or forced.
> That kind of relationship is subservience, not submission. Jesus
> chose to subject Himself to the Father, but the Father "so loved
> the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son." Sacrificial giving
> and sacrificial submission are married to each other. In the Spirit,
> you cannot have one without the other. If you try, you will invariably
> end up with control, dependence and abuse rather than humility,
> interdependence and grace.
>
> The New Testament concept of submission, or subjection, is one
> of a totally voluntary attitude of giving, of yielding one's preference
> and deferring to another. In this way, Jesus as a child was subject
> to His parents, yet the scriptures record that He did not even
> consult them when He was "about His Father's business." (Luke 2:49,51)
>
> "IT SHALL NOT be SO AMONG YOU"
>
> "Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to
> watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God.
> Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That
> would certainly not be for your benefit." (Hebrews 13:17, NLT)
>
> "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know
> that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over
> them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it
> shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great
> among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to
> be first shall be slave of all." (Mark 10:42-44)
>
> "Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed
> how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when
> people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads."
> (Mark 10:42 The Message)
>
> There is no question that the scriptures instruct each one of us to
> submit to God's delegated authority. It is the understanding and
> the application of that authority we often stumble over. The Bible
> records that Jesus taught the twelve this Kingdom authority as
> they walked along the road to Jerusalem. His face had been set
> toward the Cross, and it is certain He was keenly aware of the
> short time He had left with them. Perhaps He was conversing with
> His Father about what were the most important lessons He could
> impart to them during the time that was left. We know that He
> heard them disputing over who among them was the best
> "leadership material". Perhaps Peter, having not long before
> witnessed Jesus' transfiguration, thought that gave him special
> status. Perhaps James and John felt they were more likely
> candidates for rulership than impetuous Peter. Shortly before,
> they had asked Jesus to give them special places of honour in
> His Kingdom. Whatever had started their dispute, Jesus certainly
> knew how to end it!
>
> "Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave....."
> (Matt. 20:27).
>
> The Lord was speaking to a group of people who had grown up
> under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Romans exercised their
> authority through forced subjection and harsh cruelty. In fact, the
> literal translation of the words Jesus used in reference to Roman
> rule mean "to be under the power of" and "to be subdued." Despite
> having witnessed Jesus using a very different kind of authority and
> power, the disciples had not yet understood exactly what He
> would require of them. The Romans were, in the political sense,
> their masters. Yet here was Jesus stating that to exercise the
> authority He was going to invest in them they would need to
> become slaves to one another, and not masters. One might safely
> assume these weren't words any of them particularly wanted to
> hear that day!
>
> Kingdom authority has nothing to do with titles, positions,
> educational qualifications or reputation. Kingdom authority is
> granted by the Lord according to the measure with which He can
> trust us to wield it with humility. The greatest authority in the
> kingdom is reserved for His bondslaves.
>
> WHAT about ACCOUNTABILITY?
>
> In today's church system we have confused the word "covering"
> with the need for accountability. Consequently many are holding
> themselves accountable to people with title and position,
> regardless of whether or not they are developing an ongoing
> transparent relationship with that person. In the Kingdom, it is not
> possible to be truly accountable to those with whom we are not
> actively growing in relationship. How can I be trusted to call you to
> account righteously if I don't love you in Christ? How can you love
> me with Christ-like love and not call me to account?
>
> Paul was able to correct the Corinthians because he had true
> relationship with them. He had travailed over them, nurtured them,
> wept for them and rejoiced with them. Therefore he was able to
> reprove them, for their edification and not for their destruction.
> (2 Corinthians 13:10)
>
> When we turn to the scriptures for guidance on this issue of
> accountability, a startling fact confronts us. The News Testament
> mentions accountability ONLY in terms of the believer towards
> God. The scripture teaches that we will give accountability TO
> GOD ALONE in the following areas:
>
> *stewardship (Luke 16:2)
> *ourselves (Rom. 14:12)
> *fruit (Phil 4:17)
> *what we do in the flesh (1 Pet. 4:5)
> *leaders shall give account for the souls they watch over (Heb. 13:17)
>
> What then, DO the scriptures teach about how believers, as
> members of the corporate Body of Christ, are to relate to one another?
>
> "... all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with
> humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
> (1 Peter 5:5)
>
> In Galatians Chapter Two we read of a journey Paul took to
> Jerusalem. He states that he went up "by revelation", that is, at
> the instigation of the Holy Spirit, in order to confirm that the gospel
> he had been preaching was approved by the eldership of the
> Jerusalem church. He goes on to state that "those who seemed to
> be something, whatever they were, it makes no difference to me,"
> had nothing to add to his teachings. He further adds that when
> James, Cephas (Peter) and John perceived the grace God had
> shown him, he was given the "right hand of fellowship."
>
> At the instigation of the Holy Spirit, Paul had subjected himself to
> the Jerusalem eldership, including Peter, for the purpose of
> accountability. One may safely assume that Peter, having spent
> around three years day and night with Jesus, and highly regarded
> by the early believers, held very great authority in the church. Paul,
> however did not ask Peter to cover him. Instead, he did not
> hesitate in calling Peter to account when Peter was later swayed
> to go back on his word by the fear of men (Gal. 2:11-14). Bear in
> mind this is the same Peter who stated "We ought to obey God
> rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
>
> These men understood the nature of relationship through the Holy
> Spirit; ALL of you be submissive to one another, ALL of you be
> clothed with humility. Each of us is accountable to one another,
> whatever our function in the Body, whether apostles, teachers,
> deacons or helpers. This is the church Christ is building.
>
> To say that we are demonstrating accountability to a person or
> group of people we may briefly rub shoulders with at a meeting
> once or twice a week, or perhaps once or twice a year, is ludicrous.
> True accountability is about how we express Christ in us - our
> lifestyle, our character and our integrity in families, jobs and
> church community. This cannot be measured outside Godly
> relationships, and without a humble willingness to be in subjection
> one to another. Each one of us needs to seek out and submit
> ourselves to those in the Body the Lord has placed close to us to
> provide that accountability, regardless of their position, title or
> function. Each one of us needs to be willing, in humility and
> service, to provide that same accountability base for others in the
> Body. This applies to leadership equally as it does to the newest,
> most inexperienced member of the Christian community.
>
> Sadly, what we see today in so much of the church, is a frenzied
> jockeying for position under the supposedly protective umbrella of
> some ministry name or reputation, in order to prove ourselves
> "covered". "WHO COVERS YOU?" has become one of the most
> frequently asked questions among Christians, and too often it is
> the deciding factor in assessing a ministry's integrity or otherwise.
> Consequently, an unsatisfactory answer to that question in some
> church circles can label you "outside the camp" and almost
> certainly not to be trusted. Christians are judging each other's
> worth and relationship with God on this issue of covering, and
> using it to justify self-righteousness and spiritual elitism.
>
> In Part Two of this study we will talk about what is at the root of
> this distorted doctrine, and the clear choices that lie before us in
> order to be free from it.
>
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