On October 10, 2022, a statement was posted online titled the NAR and Christian Nationalism statement. This statement was co-drafted by Dr. Michael Brown and the leader of USCAL, Joseph Mattera, addressing both issues and seeming to hitch the wagons of each one to another. As of today, 307 individuals have signed this five-page document in agreement of its affirmations and rejections pertaining to both subjects. Included in the initial signatures are well known leaders in the Charismatic movement such as Heidi Baker, Dr. Randy Clark, Dr. Michael Brown, Mark Chirona, Daniel Kolenda, Jennifer LeClaire, and John Kelly-a member and leader in ICAL (International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders). There are no other signatures of high-profile leaders yet noted on this document.

The reason for drawing attention to this document is more of a focus on the section dealing with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which comprises one and a half pages of the document. To clarify, they make note of the term NAR in a footnote stating,

“^{By “NAR” we are referring to a phrase coined by several leaders in recent years to describe what they perceive as a new church reformation led by apostolic leaders. Because “NAR” means different things to different people, both positive and negative, we wanted to clarify what we do believe and distance ourselves from what we do not believe.}“

NAR and Christian Nationalism Statement, 2022

Those who signed the document affirmed the importance of Ephesians 4:11 ministries for the church today and contemporary apostolic and prophetic ministries for the church, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the call for apostles and prophets to serve alongside other church leaders rather than to replace them. They agreed in rejecting the “belief that contemporary apostles carry the same authority as did the original Twelve Apostles and that contemporary prophets have the same function or carry the exact same authority as Old Testament prophets“, submission of churches to apostles and prophets for right order, abuses of apostolic and prophetic titles in relation to claiming territorial authority over pastors, and the essential of new privy revelation for the life and growth of the church from apostles and prophets.

They defined the term “apostolic” as “referring to visionary leaders who are missional, fathering, and pioneering, such as church planters, networkers, or movement leaders, often marked by their focus on gospel expansion beyond one local region. Such leaders are identified by their function, whether or not they use the term apostolic and whether or not they are Pentecostal or charismatic.” Among these statements, the final caught my attention as they denied “any affiliation with what is presently characterized as “NAR” in many circles of both Christian and secular press. We also believe that reports of an alleged conspiratorial, worldwide, dangerous “NAR” movement are highly exaggerated and misleading.“

Taking all of this into consideration, I think it is important to note some things. It is possible to be affiliated with the New Apostolic Reformation and not be a Christian nationalist and vice versa. The NAR is not an American movement. The founder of the movement, Peter Wagner, made it abundantly clear in his books and when he ministered publicly that this was the fastest growing movement in Christianity, tracing it back to several different movements spanning across the continents into Africa, Asia, and Latin America (Charisma).

In the book, God’s Super Apostles by Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec, they noted that three million people in the United States alone attend churches openly embracing NAR apostles and prophets. They also noted the existence of ECAL, European Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, as well as 45 national coalitions in countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. This goes beyond a political issue in America. This goes to the core teaching of governing apostles and prophets today being restored and having authority in the church so that the Great Commission can be accomplished. In order for this to occur, pastors must submit to an apostle via a network overseen by an apostle. This second axiom, the extraordinary authority of a leader was also noted by Wagner, and that leader was found in the restoration of the apostle.

Though I appreciate the recognition of issues in these statements, I could not help but notice this as a distraction from the real issues and concerns surrounding this movement. It is a separate issue from Christian nationalism, and it is a serious problem. I also could not help but notice the level of detraction and tone deafness in the final statement, seeming to double down on the issue of the NAR as being conspiratorial, exaggerated, and misleading in its scope of influence. Countless people have been adversely affected and devastated by this movement in areas such as abusive leadership and the unbiblical teachings and practices being perpetuated. It is not conspiratorial. It is worldwide. It is dangerous with aberrant practices, and it is not exaggerated or misleading.

This statement also seems to contradict itself by the rewording of organizations and espousing apostles and prophets today, taking away what Wagner said and rewording it to say the same thing in a less disturbing way. In other words, it appears to be a game of semantics. An example can be found on ICAL’s site (link in first paragraph) where they talk about the definition of an apostolic leader. First, since the beginning of this year, they have removed some of Wagner’s statements about the second apostolic age beginning in 2001, and they have also embraced the apostolic being an adjective rather than a noun.

On this same page, they go on to say that apostles are ambassadorial with authority, citing Matthew 10:1, “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.” It seems rather confusing to reject that contemporary apostles have the same authority as the original Twelve in the NAR/Christian nationalism statement while citing a verse pertaining to the Twelve when talking about the authority contemporary apostles carry in ICAL. It is noteworthy that one of the authors of this particular article was John Kelly, one of the initial signers of the NAR/ Christian nationalism statement.

How significant or impactful is this statement? It is likely to be as impactful as the Prophetic Standards Statement, which seemed to be a formality. To date, a small fraction of individuals has signed this statement, and it is highly unlikely those who hold to the view of governing apostles and prophets with authority in the church to bring divine revelation will be denied sharing a ministry platform with those who disagree and express concerns. The waters will continue to be muddied, and admittedly, this is a muddy and confusing issue simply because it has been made to be so, whether deliberately or unintentionally.

But here is something to consider when one holds to the belief that apostles and prophets with governing authority are being restored today and are necessary for the Great Commission to advance while ignoring the ongoing teaching and ministry of the Apostles through Scripture and the foundation having already been laid according to Ephesians 2:20: how has the church been built over the past two thousand years if the foundation was not finished and how does NAR teaching not undermine the sufficiency of Scripture? There are many other questions and concerns to consider from those far more knowledgeable in this area and in theology than myself. This statement only highlights the need for such questions and concerns.

Listen to this episode of The Lovesick Scribe podcast for an in-depth discussion on this topic: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: The Significance of the NAR Statement on Apple Podcasts