Does a person/ministry need a spiritual covering?
The question of whether a person or ministry needs a “spiritual covering” is one that has been debated amongst Christians for many years. Those who support the idea of spiritual covering argue that God’s design is for every believer and ministry to be accountable to and under the authority of another leader or ministry. Those against this teaching say it has no biblical basis and can lead to abuse and unhealthy dynamics.
To understand this issue, we first need to define what is meant by “spiritual covering.” In general, those who advocate spiritual covering teach that there is a hierarchical authority structure established by God. Every person needs to be under the authority and accountability of someone “higher up.” This usually means each believer needs to be under the authority of a local church pastor or elders, each pastor under a bishop or apostolic network, and so on. Ministries and churches also need to be under the covering of another leader or network.
Proponents say this provides order, protection, and accountability. It ensures that believers and ministries have godly leaders overseeing them who can provide correction when needed. Spiritual covering is seen as a safeguard against falling into sin, false teaching, and independent,isolated ministry. Teachers often point to biblical examples of Paul’s oversight of the churches he planted and the accountability among the apostles as evidence of spiritual covering.
However, those who oppose this doctrine say it has led to corruption, abuse, and poor biblical interpretation. They make the following arguments against the necessity of spiritual covering:
1. There is no clear biblical command or model for spiritual covering among believers. While there are examples of apostolic oversight in the New Testament, no verse explicitly instructs Christians to be under the authority of anyone other than Christ and appointed church elders. There is no hierarchical system defined.
2. Spiritual covering language and concepts do not appear in the Bible. The term itself is not found in Scripture. Nor is there any teaching about the need to be aligned under an apostolic network or ministry. These ideas come from modern church teaching, not the Word of God.
3. Spiritual covering puts an unbiblical priesthood/mediator between believers and Jesus Christ. According to 1 Timothy 2:5, there is only “one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Requiring accountability to a spiritual authority oversteps this principle. All believers have direct access to Jesus and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
4. It can easily lead to abuse, corruption, and loss of true accountability. Church history shows that hierarches without accountability often lead to power being abused. Believers can end upcontrolled by strong personality leaders. True spiritual protection comes from living in holiness and submission to Christ, notstriving for position.
5. Spiritual covering language is not used in relation to the Holy Spirit. The Bible depicts the Holy Spirit dwelling within eachbeliever as their Counselor and Guide, with no human mediator needed. Believers have the fullness of God within them by the Spirit’s presence.
6. Spiritual leadership in the Bible centers around service, sacrifice, and genuine care for others – not control. Jesus taught that spiritual leaders are called to humbly serve others, not demand submission and allegiance. Position and titles meant nothing to Jesus. His example was radically different than the elitism and hierarchy of the Pharisees obsessed with maintaining authority and position.
7. Mutual accountability to one another in the body of Christ is what Christians are called to. Scriptures instruct believers to confess sins to each other, forgive each other, instruct each other, be available to help restore one another when needed, and speak the truth in love to each other. This mutual brotherly accountability provides the real protection and covering needed in the body of Christ.
So in summary, opponents of mandated spiritual covering do not necessarily reject biblical concepts of authority, church leadership, accountability, and fellowship under faithful preachers of the Word. They simply find no scripturalcommand that every believer or ministry must be under an external spiritual authority figure to fulfill God’s purposes. This risks creating dependence on others rather than Jesus Himself. They encourage seeking wise counsel from many and true transparency among peers. But an intermediary between Christ and believers isunnecessary and unbiblical to them.
On the other side, advocates see spiritual covering as providing essential order, alignment, and protection from drifting into independent ministry and lives lacking submission. They draw support from Old Testament principles, church tradition, and their interpretation of passages about apostolic authority.
Given these differing views, Christians ultimately must search the scriptures and decide for themselves what they find on this controversial topic. There are good faith arguments on both sides with many nuances. Believers must choose for themselves whether they are persuaded by the disciplines and protections offered by spiritual covering systems of authority. Or if they believe such systems risk creating distance between believers and the Lord in unhealthy ways.
As in all divisive debates, humility,grace and continued study are needed. It is wise to avoid dogmatism and understand other perspectives. This is an in-house discussion amongst people of faith, not an issue that should cause division and hostility in the body of Christ.
Here is a summary of key biblical principles relevant to this issue:
Unity in the Body
– Christians are called to spiritual unity,love and peace in the faith. Differences in doctrine are inevitable but must be discussed with humility, patience and grace (Eph 4:1-6).
There is only one mediator between God and man – Jesus Christ
– No other human mediator or covering is needed between us and the Lord (1 Tim 2:5). The Holy Spirit indwells believers to guide and protect them.
Submission to Christ
– All believers are called to submit their lives fully to the lordship of Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, 1 Cor 7:23). He alone is the head of the church (Eph 5:23).
Leaders are to be examples, not lords over believers
– In contrast to the gentile rulers who lord authority over others, church leaders are to be humble examples and servants to the flock (Matt 20:25-28, 1 Pet 5:1-5). The greatest is the servant of all.
Mutual Submission in the Body
– Believers are instructed to submit to one another in reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21). This includes mutual accountability, confession of sin, instruction and caring for one another.
Beware the yeast of the Pharisees
– Like the Pharisees, obsession with titles, hierarchy and maintaining spiritual authority for its own sake can lead to pride, manipulation and hypocrisy (Luke 12:1, Matt 23:5-12).
Call No Man Teacher
– Ultimate spiritual authority is vested in Christ. Believers should avoid making any human their spiritual “rabbi” or ultimate source of truth (Matt 23:8-10).
Test all Things, Prove All Things
– Believers are to test everything carefully against the truth of God’s word to prove what is true and noble (1 Thess 5:21, Acts 17:11). The Bereans were praised for comparing even Paul’s teaching to Scripture.
Obey and Submit to Church Leaders
– Christians are instructed to obey and submit to the biblical elders and deacons appointed to care for their souls in the local church (Heb 13:17, 1 Pet 5:5). However, these leaders themselves must meet the moral and spiritual qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and elsewhere. When they deviate from Scripture, the ultimate authority is God’s word (Acts 5:29).
Pray for Discerning Wisdom
– Believers need to pray regularly for wisdom and discernment from God to know when leadership is wise and biblical versus heavy-handed and controlling (James 1:5, Prov 2:6-8). Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit ultimately must guide each Christian’s decision making about such issues.
So in summary, the Bible gives principles for both unity, order, submission to church leaders and elders,and also warnings against pride, control, and intermediaries that come between believers and the Lord. As in many areas where good faith believers come to different conclusions, humility, continual scriptural study and discerning prayer for wisdom are needed.
Ultimately, each Christian must examine their own heart motives. Seeking spiritual protection out of true humility and desire for accountability is a good thing. Doing so out of pride, fear of man, or lust for power and position is clearly unbiblical. Any system of authority that takes glory away from Christ by interjecting layers of power over people should be rejected. But any dismissal of spiritual authority that breeds independence, isolation and lack of humble guidance from faithful servants of God should also be rejected. As in many areas of debate, balance and moderation guided by Scripture and a heart willing to be corrected is key.
As believers humbly seek to understand and apply these principles from God’s word, they can trust the Holy Spirit for wisdom and alignment with the truth. Jesus Christ alone is Lord. All glory and power belong to Him. Our job is simply to walk in a manner worthy of Him, loving God and loving one another.
