“Covering” is a word that has become common nomenclature in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a Christian movement focused on advancing the Kingdom of God in the world.
Many in the movement put apostles in the highest authority and the ones who provide leadership, direction, and spiritual “covering.” They see 1 Corinthians 12:28 as biblical justification for this leadership structure: “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers.”
What is missed from this conclusion, however, is that “forms of leadership” is also in Paul’s list and actually mentioned second to the last: “Then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, FORMS OF LEADERSHIP, various kinds of tongues.”
Could it be that Paul’s list was in “foundation-building” order rather than descendent authority?
Throughout the church’s existence, the practical application of apostolic “covering” has shown to be greatly problematic. Where ever Christians have looked to someone other than God as a kind of spiritual insurance, the stage has been disastrously set for leadership abuse, particularly when a leader is consciously or unconsciously seeking power and using it to advance their own personal agenda. In these cases, apostolic covering has become a costly service paid with tithes and obedience.
And this is in stark difference to what Jesus taught in Luke 22:24-27: “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”
In God’s Kingdom, leadership is entirely about service, PERIOD.
So is there any truth to the NAR teaching about apostolic covering? The answer is “yes” if “covering” is a covenantal promise that “I will use my strength (in whatever form) for you and never against you.” Like a safe haven under protective wings. Think of the rainbow in the story of Noah and the ark. It is God’s radiant reminder that He is a covenant-keeper and will not use His strength against His creation.
Consider the story of Adam and Eve in the garden after “the fall.” They hid from God because they were afraid He would use His power against them. They feared that the one who had been their loving daily companion would become their angry chastiser.
What they feared, however, was not the truth. Instead, God in His unwavering kindness extended grace, covered them with “garments of skins,” and sent them from the Garden of Eden to protect them from living eternally in their fallen/wrong-thinking condition. He already had a plan in mind to restore them to full relationship with Him. He would not use His strength against them.
Another example of covenantal “covering” are the promises made between a man and woman in Christian marriage. In this covenant, the couple pledges to live “for” and not “against” one another. Because of this covenant, as it states In Proverbs 31:11, the couple can entrust their hearts to each other without fear.
Medical doctors, who wield immense power over vulnerable patients, covenant with them by taking the Hippocratic Oath and profess to “First do no harm.” They pledge to use their strength, their knowledge, their experience for their patients and never against them.
So it must be with any form of leadership existing in the Body of Christ.
Catholic Apostolic Group 