The Shepherding Movement and Covering Doctrine

[Paul James]

The Shepherding Movement and Covering Doctrine was popular in the 1970s and 80s.  Initially it was good for providing mentoring and protection for younger converts, but soon developed into "power and control" situations by leaders wanting to use their "spiritual authority" to make disciples for themselves.   The outcome of it was that multitudes of believers were seriously harmed and many dropped right out of the faith because of the abuse and bullying that came with the "covering".   I heard that there is a resurgence of it in some churches, so I have written a book to warn people not to be duped into accepting anyone's "authority" to be accountable to them instead of Christ.

True Shepherd or Wolf.pdf

[Sower]

23 minutes ago, Paul James said:

The Shepherding Movement and Covering Doctrine was popular in the 1970s and 80s.  Initially it was good for providing mentoring and protection for younger converts, but soon developed into "power and control" situations by leaders wanting to use their "spiritual authority" to make disciples for themselves.   The outcome of it was that multitudes of believers were seriously harmed and many dropped right out of the faith because of the abuse and bullying that came with the "covering".   I heard that there is a resurgence of it in some churches, so I have written a book to warn people not to be duped into accepting anyone's "authority" to be accountable to them instead of Christ.

True Shepherd or Wolf.pdf 1.24 MB · 1 download

That's too bad they fell by the wayside. I was blessed to have a mentor which speed-ed up my learning curve.
And helped me avoid some pitfalls.
Most significantly, I learned to have a burden for the lost, and a boldness to witness.
Mentors  are a great blessing, when they are called.
Thanks for the post, Paul.........

[Wayne222]

I think leaders are to lead. Not to be the boss. And lead by the way they walk in christ.

[teddyv]

The Boston Movement, a splinter off of the Church of Christ denomination was using tactics like this back in the '90's. I was briefly involved with them while in university. That group seems to have imploded. Also caused a lot of harm to many folks. 

[Riverwalker]

I am firmly persuaded that no one can be moved off of the word of God if they have no ceded their responsibility to man

I state the following in regards to any established Christians, newborns never having been exposed to the real truth, are excepted

We are each responsible for working out our salvation  and the idea of giving that over to a "shepherd" is very alluring. But if they fall into this temptation they are equally to blame. If we allow ourselves to be hurt by a man, then our trust was not God. There is one Good Shepherd, the rest are hirelings.

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

 

I cannot download the document

[Riverwalker]

13 hours ago, teddyv said:

The Boston Movement, a splinter off of the Church of Christ denomination was using tactics like this back in the '90's. I was briefly involved with them while in university. That group seems to have imploded. Also caused a lot of harm to many folks. 

and yet the same old snake keeps raising its head.  My first "Born again Christian" church was a name and claim it word of faith church. A doctrine I never bought into and church I soon left.

[Unit 11]

It seems to be taken for granted that for the believer, a leader is an absolute necessity. Without a leader/pastor/minister to oversee our walk, we would immediately go wrong, get wrong ideas, and fall out of God's will. One Christian rock song I listened to in the 80's, even insinuated that we're not even saved if we're not under a human leader. 

What if a believer studied the Bible and meditated on it, and only the Bible, by himself, unsupervised?

 

 

 

 

Edited April 1, 2021 by Unit 11

[Alive]

I am familiar with this stuff and fellowshipped with a group that has small gatherings all over the world--for a time.

There is a smidgeon of truth to some of it, but as is often the case, men are fallible and subject to giving in to the flesh and 'power' and manipulation of others is part of this. Once starting down that path  of 'authority', its difficult to back off.

I watched it happen---it never ends well. They 'forget' that Christ is the Head of each individual member and the only mediator between God and man.

There is a place for authority in the Church and a recognition of the same--but it can't be institutionalized. It must be organic in a local expression--as the Lord works for the Body.

[Daniel Marsh]

The book link does not work