"Covering"

[EyezOFire]

What is a "covering" ?

Where in the NT is there any mention of a covering ?

Isn't it enough for Christ to be our covering ?

If the pastor is supposed to be our covering then who's his covering ?

If the denominational headquartes is the covering of the local church/ pastor. Who is their covering ?

How long could this list go until it ends with Jesus being the final covering ?

And if Jesus is big enough to be their covering, why can't he be my covering ?

 

[Peaceful Dove]

There are many types of covering. We do not use all the terms used in the New Testament.
Certainly Jesus is our ultimate covering.
But a husband is the covering over his family. A Pastor over his congregation. In many Faiths, a Bishop is the covering over the Pastor or Priest. The list does go on.

You will find it all in the New Testament, just not using that word.

Just remember that Jesus is our ultimate "covering".

 

[EyezOFire]

What word would be used instead of covering ?

 

[Tamara224]

I found an interesting article on it here.

 

[BenAdam]

What is a "covering" ?

Where in the NT is there any mention of a covering ?

Isn't it enough for Christ to be our covering ?

If the pastor is supposed to be our covering then who's his covering ?

If the denominational headquartes is the covering of the local church/ pastor. Who is their covering ?

How long could this list go until it ends with Jesus being the final covering ?

And if Jesus is big enough to be their covering, why can't he be my covering ?

Do you really want to open this can of worms? Do you want to be told how you MUST be under a Pastor? How churches are based on authority?

The Church is based on those that would be its leaders in actuality be its most humble servants. Elders lead by serving the younger by helping them grow, laying their life down for them, etc.

 

[EyezOFire]

You see where I go to church there is so much emphasis placed on authority/covering. If you move out of covering then you are considered in rebellion or sin and under deception. Also if you dont tithe then you are under a curse and God cannot bless your finances and you are leaving a door open for the enemy to come. Until recently I never questioned these things. I love the pastor and the people, but I'm beginning to see that this teaching leads to control.

 

[Meshavrischika]

I heard a sermon on this once years ago and was so offended I got up and left. The idea that there need be ANYONE between me and God is just flat ridiculous. I have His Spirit to teach me... everyone else is there for learning and fellowship, but were I alone on a desert island, I would still be His and wouldn't be missing out on this "covering" of "elders"
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[Tamara224]

You see where I go to church there is so much emphasis placed on authority/covering. If you move out of covering then you are considered in rebellion or sin and under deception. Also if you dont tithe then you are under a curse and God cannot bless your finances and you are leaving a door open for the enemy to come.

My (unsolicited) advice: Get out! Get out now!

You have found yourself in the domain of the Shepherding Movement (or one of it's illigitimate children). Beware!

It is spiritual manipulation and ungodly. It has led, and continues to lead, to eggregious abuses and has seriously injured many many people.

 

[BenAdam]

You see where I go to church there is so much emphasis placed on authority/covering. If you move out of covering then you are considered in rebellion or sin and under deception. Also if you dont tithe then you are under a curse and God cannot bless your finances and you are leaving a door open for the enemy to come. Until recently I never questioned these things. I love the pastor and the people, but I'm beginning to see that this teaching leads to control.

Read your Bible (all of it, not just the proof texts) and see what it really says. Are these leaders (figuratively) washing the the feet of the disciples? Where does Paul talk about curses for not fall under authority?

 

[Peaceful Dove]

I didn't see how this topic could be considered a "can of worms". It just seemed a normal question.

I guess some have other ideas.
Well, "that is what makes the world go round".

 

[Tamara224]

I didn't see how this topic could be considered a "can of worms". It just seemed a normal question.

I guess some have other ideas.
Well, "that is what makes the world go round".

This is probably because your experience hasn't taught you the same catch phrases and key words that others of us recognize. "Covering" is one of those key words. It has a meaning and history that you probably didn't know existed.

 

[BenAdam]

I didn't see how this topic could be considered a "can of worms". It just seemed a normal question.

I guess some have other ideas.
Well, "that is what makes the world go round".

Because you will get rabid dogmatic response with a question like this that seeks to heap condemnation on people.

 

[EyezOFire]

My (unsolicited) advice: Get out! Get out now!

You have found yourself in the domain of the Shepherding Movement (or one of it's illigitimate children). Beware!

It is spiritual manipulation and ungodly. It has led, and continues to lead, to eggregious abuses and has seriously injured many many people.

Thank you for the unsolicited advice- My wife and I are in the process of leaving, and those are some great articles. This is my first church I attended and I dont remember it being this way, but that could have been because God maybe protected me from it or I just didnt see it. Is this prevelant in alot of Charismatic Churches ?

 

[Peaceful Dove]

This is probably because your experience hasn't taught you the same catch phrases and key words that others of us recognize. "Covering" is one of those key words. It has a meaning and history that you probably didn't know existed.

Actually I was raised in non-Catholic Christian Churches and am very familiar with most terminology. One of the reasons so many of my brothers and sisters here seem to like me. I think. It could be just my wonderful personality and great beauty and being the worlds greatest grandma and......being so full of bologna. What do you think???LOL


It just appears that over the years, different issues are "hot" at different times. Apparantly this one is now. I didn't realize that.

 

[Peaceful Dove]

So, to heal my ignorance on this matter and not to debate it because, I won't.

What part of covering is offensive? Is it Pastoral authority, Husband authority or just authority.

I simply don't get it.

Or, maybe I shouldn't ask?????

 

[BenAdam]

So, to heal my ignorance on this matter and not to debate it because, I won't.

What part of covering is offensive? Is it Pastoral authority, Husband authority or just authority.

I simply don't get it.

Or, maybe I shouldn't ask?????

Covering is used as an excuse for control.

 

[LeadWorship]

I believe in God's Authority. However, as stated above, if it get's to a controlling atomosphere, it's gone too far.

There is Order in the Godhead and the body of Christ, but there is Honor between all members, not a lorded over controlling attitude. And if not paying tithes every week curses you... yikes! We're all cursed at some point or another!

 

[Meshavrischika]

So, to heal my ignorance on this matter and not to debate it because, I won't.

What part of covering is offensive? Is it Pastoral authority, Husband authority or just authority.

I simply don't get it.

Or, maybe I shouldn't ask?????

it's an excuse for elitism...
it's used to exploit...
it uses fear as a tool to keep people attending church in alot of cases...
AND
there is NO ONE between God and me... anyone who says there is, obviously has missed out on alot of one on one time with God. (IMO...)

 

[JimB]

What is a "covering" ?

Where in the NT is there any mention of a covering ?

Isn't it enough for Christ to be our covering ?

If the pastor is supposed to be our covering then who's his covering ?

If the denominational headquartes is the covering of the local church/ pastor. Who is their covering ?

How long could this list go until it ends with Jesus being the final covering ?

And if Jesus is big enough to be their covering, why can't he be my covering ?

The pop-theology doctrine of “covering” as far as I can research it began will Bill Gothard’s Institute of Basic Life Principles conferences back in the 60s-70’s and has been used ad nauseum as though it were the teaching of scripture ever since.

~Jim

Believe in miracles but don’t depend on them.​

 

[Tamara224]

Thank you for the unsolicited advice- My wife and I are in the process of leaving, and those are some great articles. This is my first church I attended and I dont remember it being this way, but that could have been because God maybe protected me from it or I just didnt see it. Is this prevelant in alot of Charismatic Churches ?

I don't know if it is prevalent or not. At one time it was more popular than it is now, I think. It creeps back in from time to time, though. And a lot of the buz words have changed as it takes on new forms, but remains the same idea.

The most recent real life example of it that I heard was "covenant relationships" - but it was the same idea as "covering", just repackaged.

And it's not limited to charismatic churches... it has been seen in other circles as well.