Shepherding Movement, The

A controversial discipleship system that promised accountability and growth, yet too often delivered control — the Shepherding Movement remains a cautionary tale for the worldwide church.

From Discipleship to Enslavement

The use of the term Shepherding, in this context, began as a method of discipleship and accountability but reverted to enslavement — an extreme discipling in which human authority displaced the Holy Spirit, illustrating Paul’s observation of beginning in the Spirit, then mutating into an activity of human effort involving blind, unquestioning compliance to authority, resulting in interference with and an unhealthy reliance upon others (Gal 3:3). While it is not wrong to submit (indeed it is necessary for the proper functioning of society), this concept has been taken beyond biblical principles and guidelines to ‘bossing’ others around (Rom 13:1; Eph 5:21; 1 Pet 5:2-3).

The ‘Spiritual Covering’ System

The movement was renowned for its manipulation and intimidatory tactics through the concept of spiritual covering, which relies on a strict submission to authority and a rigid, tiered method of application. Its prominence and impact within the worldwide church have largely disappeared, although today it is sometimes still evidenced in what is called ‘the covenant movement’.

Godly guidance is a gift; control is not. True shepherds give away wisdom freely and expect nothing in return but the growth of the flock itself, whereas controlling leaders use counsel as currency — granting approval for compliance and withdrawing it as punishment. The difference is soon visible: guidance leaves a person freer, clearer and more dependent on God, while control leaves them anxious, distant from Him and dependent on a man. Wherever human authority presumes to have the last word over another person’s conscience, discernment is essential — that throne belongs to God alone. Leaders may teach, persuade and warn, but commandeering another’s conscience lies beyond their authority; that role belongs to the Great Shepherd, and even He exercises it gently (Mt 11:29).

Who ultimately shepherds your life – a person, or God?

Submission Without Surrender

It is a wise safeguard to humbly seek advice and guidance from those more mature — the wealth of counsel found in many advisers gives safety and guards the lonely traveller from self-deception (Prov 11:14). Scripture commends such mentorship and mutual encouragement, for none of us walks the path of faith alone (Heb 13:20). Yet this safeguard must never be inverted into bondage: those who give advice remain fellow servants, not lords of another’s faith, and they too will give an account for how they handled the flock entrusted to their care (1 Pet 5:4). God is our ultimate master (and Great Shepherd), to whom we will each be accountable for the words we speak and the directions we follow (Mt 12:36; Rom 3:19). When human directives contradict the Word of God, our allegiance must be to God rather than to men — ‘we must obey God rather than human beings’ (Act 5:29). True spiritual maturity therefore blends teachability with discernment: a heart open to correction, yet anchored to the Shepherd Himself, so that seeking counsel strengthens faith instead of surrendering conscience.

Reflection and Application:

Do I seek counsel humbly, while keeping my accountability to God rather than to a person?
Have I confused godly submission with blind compliance to authority?
Do I honour spiritual leaders without allowing manipulation or intimidation to replace trust?
Where might I exert control over others under the guise of care or guidance?