COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

I know that there are many of people out there involved as members or associates with various churches/denominations that are not spiritually classified as Christian cults, but as a result of corruptible leadership practices, such are experiencing unhealthy church environments that are detrimental to their spiritual growth and development in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  

Such churches/denominations, although not spiritually classified as a Christian cult, by way of corruptible behavior practices, have aligned themselves to embrace what they themselves know to be wrong for the love of money and power.  From such, you should separate yourselves.

Evaluating and Testing Leadership

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?  --- unless indeed you are disqualified. (2nd Corinthians 13:5)

But I trust that you know that we are not disqualified. (2nd Corinthians 13:6)

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. (1st Timothy 3:1)

But let these also be first tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. (1st Timothy 3:10)

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1st John 4:1)

Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1st Thessalonians 5:21)

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. (1st Corinthians 2:15)

For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?"  But we have the mind of Christ. (1st Corinthians 2:16)

You have a requirement to test yourselves and the spirits, as to whether you're in the faith and whether they are of God to determine spiritual status, that is, whether there's a disqualification or a qualification. 

Christian Leadership Test Listing

1. Must be Born-again (John 3:5-7)
2. Must be Called and Appointed (John 15:16-17)
3. Must be  Given the Gift(s) (Ephesians 4:11-12)
4. Given to Understanding (Proverbs 13:15)
5. Given to a Sound Heart (Proverbs 14:30)
6. Not Given to Pride and a Haughty Spirit (Proverbs 16:18; 21:24)
7. Not Given to Sexual Immorality (1^st Corinthians 6:18; 2^nd Peter 2:14)
8. Able to Teach/Teachable (2^nd Timothy 2:15; 1^st Timothy 3:2)
9. Blamelsss (1^st Timothy 3:2)
10. Not Given to Bigotry (Proverbs 12:1,15; 26:12)  
11. Not Given to Promiscuity (1^st Timothy 3:2)
12. Temperate (1^st Timothy 3:2)
13. Sober-minded (1^st Timothy 3:2)
14. Of Good Behavior (1^st Timothy 3:2)
15. Hospitable (1^st Timothy 3:2)
16. Not Given to Wine (1^st Timothy 3:3)
17. Not Violent (1^st Timothy 3:3)
18. Not Greedy for Money (1^st Timothy 3:3,8)
19. Gentle (1^st Timothy 3:3)
20. Not Quarrelsome (1^st Timothy 3:3)
21. Not Covetous (1^st Timothy 3:3; 2^nd Peter 2:14)
22. Ruler of Own Household (1^st Timothy 3:4)
23. Reverent (1^st Timothy 3:4,8)
24. Not a Novice (1^st Timothy 3:6)
25. Not being Puffed up with Pride (1^st Timothy 3:6)
26. Must have a Good Testimony Among the World (1^st Timothy 3:7)
27. Not Double-tongued (1^st Timothy 3:8)
28. Not Given to Much Wine (1^st Timothy 3:8)
29. Holding the Mystery of the Faith with a Pure Conscience (1^st Timothy 3:8)
30. Not slanderers (1^st Timothy 3:11)
31. Faithful in All Things (1^st Timothy 3:11)
32. Honoring Widows Who are Really Widows (1^st Timothy 5:3)
33. Exhorting Older Men as Fathers with All Purity (1^st Timothy 5:1)
34. Exhorting Older Women as Mothers with All Purity (1^st Timothy 5:2)
35. Exhorting Younger Men as Brothers with All Purity (1^st Timothy 5:1)
36. Exhorting Younger Women as Sisters with All Purity (1^st Timothy 5:2)
37. Not Given to Lying (Proverbs 17:7; 12:19; 14:25)

It is vitally important for Christian leaders, in particular, but not limited to bishops and deacons to be qualified for those positions.  If you’re in a church were these qualifications are not being met, you’re in a place of confusion; and we know that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as it is in all the churches of the saints.

Do not be deceived.  If you see and/or hear of control, intimidation, greed and any other ungody practices and leadership refuses to address such matters and/or label you as a trouble-maker, you need to separate yourself and any or all family and friends possible.  Those who practice these, not only practice them, but approve of those who do the same.  What's the point of staying?  Leave !!!

Unfortunately, many who are members and remain members do it out of obligation, fear of not belonging, being slandered, tradition, and many other unacceptable reasons that God is not pleased. 

Sunday after Sunday and meeting after meeting, they find themselves in environments of manipulation, control, and intimidation, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, and somehow trying to continuously justify why they are there.  These are they who are religious but are not spiritual.  Remember, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.

You do have the right do judge spiritual things, which include evaluating your leadership.  If the leadership is corrupt, then is obvious, the church also is corrupt.   A tree is known by its fruit.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: (2nd Timothy 3:1)

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2nd Timothy 3:2)

unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, (2nd Timothy 3:3)

traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (2nd Timothy 3:4)

having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such turn away! (2nd Timothy 3:5)

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captive of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, (2nd Timothy 3:6)

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2nd Timothy 3:7)

Those in positions of authority operating outside of the will of God, wherein, utilizing the spirit of fear to control, intimidate, and manipulate, not only utilize such authority to the detriment of their members, but also to the detriment of themselves.  

All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. (Ecclesiastes 8:9)

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

You Cannot Afford to Stay Under "Poor Leadership"

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." (1st Corinthians 15:33)

Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.  I speak this to your shame. (1st Corinthians 15:34)

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground; For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

Remember, God Has Your Back !!!

Do not fret because of evildoers,Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. (Psalm 37:1)

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. (Proverbs 8:13)

I have hated the assembly of evildoers,And will not sit with the wicked. (Psalm 26:5)

Evil shall slay the wicked,And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. (Psalm 34:21)

Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5:15)

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (2nd Thessalonians 3:3)

Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.