S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The term spiritual covering is usually used in the context of the Shepherding movement, though it can have other meanings. In its primary context, having a spiritual covering means being submitted ...

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September 08 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jim Tumlinson One beggar leading others to where the bread is

S. Michael Houdmann did an excellent job in helping us understand where this question may arise and in his explanation we can see how lack of balance can lead to error. As we look at the early church we can see examples of how they started ministries and as far as I understand were no indication of having a covering but counsel was involved as it should be. Having a mentor is a good place to start in order to get counsel and wisdom before on starts a ministry. The bible does say there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors which helps one from experiencing unnecessary hardships because hardships are sure to come.

In Act 6 we can see that workers were selected in order to help the Jewish widows. We can see this as men being sent out from a "church". We can see that Paul sought out other Apostles to see if what he had heard from the Lord was correct before he began his own ministry and did not leave from a church. It also appears that Peter did the same though he came from the original group of disciples so one can say that this was in a sense a church. 

Acts 9:36: In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
Acts 24:17 After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.

As we can see above that ministry did take place either with the church or without the "church covering". I found these particular verses below interesting because most of what we want to do is by revelation from God as to what we individually should do=our calling.

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,
Galatians 1:11-12 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Each one of us receives our own personal calling from the Lord and we should follow it even if it does not agree with our local church body. We must remember that things do take time and just because we get a revelation of what we should do for the Lord does not mean that we need to do it right now. We need to pray and plan and wait for someone to come along side us because God operates in a team venue rather than a one man band. 
If you do decide to go off on your own you will not be cursed by God nor will your ministry fail because of not having a covering.

Here are two articles that may help in your deciding to go without a "Covering"

Allow me to encourage you with this verse;
2 Thes 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
http://graceoveryou.blogspot.com/2015/02/enabling-grace.html

http://graceoveryou.blogspot.com/2015/02/recognizing-gods-grace-for-you.html

July 31 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report