Apostolic covering’ is establish upon the foundation of covenant relationship between a spiritual father and a pastor or leader. This is designed through an atmosphere of mutual understanding, to facilitate to fulfill the purpose and prophetic destiny of the local church with wisdom, protection and counsel.

Apostolic covering IS NOT:

An attempt to deceive with vain, useless, fruitless words.

Paul said; “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.” (1Thess.2:1 ESV ) The word “vain” expresses the hollowness of anything; Paul was saying their work was not void of content or power. This word could also be translated “empty-handed.” Paul was saying; we didn’t come to take something away from you but to bring you something.

This is the heart of apostolic oversight and accountability. It has little to do with what the apostle “receives” from the church; it has more to do with what your apostolic father brings to the pastor and the local church.

Multi-level marketing, where all resources work their way to the top. The issue is not quantity or how many churches we have in our network? The concern should be the quality of care for the local church and love for the saints. “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.”(1Thess.2:7 ESV )

Seek human glory to gain honour, recognition, title and approval of men. Paul said, “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. ” (1Thess.2:6 KJV). Paul here is repudiating personal ambition. Paul never used his preaching to gain the honor, recognition and approval that men give.

Manipulative, dominating, Controlling, abusive, verbally, relationally, financially, doctrinally or man worship.

Paul actually did have authority but he never abused it. “Even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority” (1Thess.2:6 NASB) The only authority that exists in the church is “Christ’s authority”. True apostles are not authoritarian or controlling. Authority is always to be used for the benefit of those under it never for the personal benefit of those exercising it.

Ego-centric relationships where one uses their spiritual authority as a pretext for greed to cover down and demand submission. Apostolic covering is always about serving others rather than demanding service.

Paul never used his apostolic authority as an avenue for selfish gain and arrogance to enriching himself.  “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.” (1Thess.2:5 ESV)

Spiritual fathering/covering are not about consolidating power around the ‘leader’. It’s about empowering, equipping, and releasing sons and daughters to fulfill their divine purposes in their respective spheres of influence.

Apostolic covering is not a hierarchy that’s top-down in nature. It’s spherical, much like the spokes of a wheel with the spiritual father impart into the life of a son and daughter to maximise their full potential.  In other words, true spiritual fathers help to bring a seance of (accountability, doctrinal balance, prophetic wisdom, experience-based perspective, and apostolic impartation) that balances and extends their son’s and daughter’s reach in the earth.

True apostolic oversight has to do with being a “father” to the church. Seeing the church as a father sees his children, intent on training his children according to their individual needs. Caring for children is tiring work. Paul said, “You remember brethren, our labor and toil, laboring day and night” (1 Thess.2:9). True apostles faithfully proclaim “The Gospel of the kingdom” without alteration or substitution.

Apostolic oversight is a biblical fundamental principles. Paul said “I have laid a foundation and another builds on it” (1 Cor.3:10). The foundation of a building is out of sight but it is the key to stability and the growth of the structure built on it. Jesus Christ himself” is the Chief Cornerstone” (Eph.2:20). Everything the church is and does has to be rightly related to Christ, because the church belongs to Him.

Apostolic covering is not about control, it’s about connection and protection. It’s about furthering the DNA, purposes, and destiny that the Holy Spirit is working in your life.  It’s about someone the Holy Spirit assigns to you who’s got your back.