In modern times, the concept of armorbearer re-appeared as a small part of the abusive "Shepherding" movement that emerged in the 1960's. In this movement spearheaded by such men as Derek Prince, Bob Mumford, and Ern Baxter (and all three of these men have apologized and repented for the abuses and excesses that happened), the concept and rediscovery of the pastor as a shepherd was implemented. In this shepherding, there was a re-emergence of discipleship and mentoring others to be the leaders of tomorrow with a firm foundation. In fact, it was the discipleship and mentoring that was a sign prevalent in the Jesus movement in California in the late sixties and early seventies. Where the discipleship and mentoring was supposed to root and ground people in the Word of God, many leaders ended up making these people perform the menial tasks to teach humility and break rebellion. If one refused to do these tasks, they were seen as being rebellious and full of pride and in need of more mentoring. From stories I have read, these people did everything from painting their shepherd's house, maintain their cars, manicure their yards, perform maintenance on their church and their homes, change the pastor's baby's diapers, babysit the pastor's kids, etc. Also in many instances, these people would not go on vacation, purchase necessities, nor marry unless their shepherd approved of the vacation, agreed to the expenses, or decided that the spouse was 'God's will" for his sheep. Basically, it was cheap labor disguised as "Bible". The movement and the abuses of this movement were so controversial that the abuses killed what started out to be the good part of discipleship when the discipleship went haywire. Instead of being humble, people were humiliated. Instead of being servants of Christ, they were made into slaves of a man. The abuse was so widespread that it literally collapsed overnight and the church was in a state of limbo until the faith movement came on the scene.

It was during the faith movement that a controversial book called "God's Armor Bearer" written by Terry Nance (who is a graduate of Rhema University, a Bible college founded by Kenneth Hagin and theologically based on the faith movement) appeared on the scene. In this book, Nance "re-established" the role of the Old Testament armorbearer in Word of Faith churches. This controversial book went as far as to state that a real armorbearer would do such things (this is a incomplete list) as:

Duties of a Armorbearer

- Must provide strength for his leader.
- Must have a deep down sense of respect for his leader, and acceptance for, and tolerance of, his leader's personality and his way of doing things.
- Must instinctively understand his leader's thoughts
- Must walk in agreement with and submission to his leader.
- Must make the advancement of his leader his most important goal.
- Must follow order immediately and correctly.
- Must support his leader
- Resists seeking to know his leader after the flesh

Functions of an Armorbearer

- Surrenders completely to his leader, trusting him implicitly and obeying without questioning and hesitation his every command.
- Carries out every plan of his leader successfully
- Completes his leaders command perfectly
- Prepares and cares for his leaders belongings
- Anticipates his leader's needs and demands in advance so as to properly furnish and supply what is needed.
- Exalts, respects, and uplifts his leader at all times
- Works tirelessly and diligently on behalf of his leader, seek ways to advance his welfare and situation
- Fulfills his leader in every way, getting along with him, and making him feel comfortable in giving orders
- Sacrifices his own life and well-being for the betterment of his leader
- Demonstrates total intolerance of any false charge made against his leader
- Forgives his leader for any offense immediately and without harboring resentment or anger
- Demonstrates extreme loyalty to his leader, even unto death
- Esteems his leader as more important than himself

If you notice, there are such extreme statements as "sacrifice and die for the leader", "the leader is more important at all costs", "obeying without questioning and hesitation", "advance the cause of the leader", and "resist to know the leader after the flesh (as a human being)". One would believe that after reading this book (especially these statements) that one would recognize this drivel as drivel. WRONG!!!. This book was deemed by many big name Word of Faith leaders as "annointed" (and according to faith theology, don't touch the annointing) and was taught as both a bible study in the churches from an armorbearer's perspective and also as a textbook course in many Charismatic Bible Colleges from the pastoral perspective.

Instead of teaching a healthy New Testament perspective of working together with Spiritual leaders, the book taught an unhealthy theology using the Old Testament of a Chess mentality of Kings and pawns. Everyone was to work for the advancement of the King's agendas and not necessarily for God's will. Does this now sound similiar to the foretold results of a man-made king as described in 1 Samuel 8? You bet it does. Instead of producing unity, it produces competition and division. Instead of producing brotherhood, it produces a slave mentality. Many under this teaching betrayed their families well being to ensure the well being of their leader. Where the New Testament teaches us that in our Spiritual Gifts we are to serve, minister to, and equip each other, these churches teach people how to minister, serve, and equip the pastors only. No one dared to challenge this teaching in fear of touching God's annointing, damnation, and curses from the leader stated as being from God. Instead of permamently ending this teaching, the teaching has come back full circle and worse than it was thirty years ago.

In many of these churches, the concepts of grace, deliverance, and justification by faith is constantly being taught along with the topics of submission and humility. The New Testament is used extensively when discipleship and dominion is taught. However, when trouble appears, the Old Testament makes a comeback in their theology base. Even though they teach New Testament grace and mercy, if there is sin, rebellion, or someone disagrees and challenges the leadership, then the leadership pulls out all those Old Testament verses of curses, judgements, people who disobeyed God, Aaron and Miriam complaining, etc. and uses it to "keep people in check". The church that preaches freedom uses bondages of fear, control, and manipulation to make their life happy while sweeping the problems under the rug and suppressing others. The Bible becomes a "pick and choose" Gospel instead of the full Holy Word of God and Scriptures are now twisted to excite the congregation and bring forth one man's vision above God's mandate. They teach that we are under the New Covenant, we are kings and priests bless God, but if you come against the annointing and do their prophets harm (or is it come against the annoying and do the profits harm), then you are the cursed and diseased with spiritual leprosy and we will put you outside the camp and you will lose your place as a remnant people. Folks, the New Testament has specific instructions on what to do with true rebellious sinners and also shows God's mercy, and God's judgement in action. The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant. However, even though we are free from the law and are now under grace, many leaders in these abusive environments want to "re-legalize" and re-place everybody back under the law instead of living in grace.

Therefore, the role of the armorbearer is no longer needed in New Covenant living.

Click here for part four of this article