EP 42 | Was Alisa Childers Right About Josh Howerton & Josh McPherson? (3 Markers of NAR Governance)

Was Alisa Childers right to warn people about Josh Howerton and Josh McPherson’s teachings on church leadership? By the time you finish listening to this episode, you’ll not only know whether Alisa’s warning was justified, but you’ll also learn 3 specific markers of dangerous, apostle-style church governance—even when pastors don't explicitly use the word "apostle."

📌 Episode OverviewIn this episode, we break down the online debate that erupted after Alisa Childers shared a clip from the Resurge podcast, hosted by Josh Howerton (Lakepointe Church) and Josh McPherson (Grace City Church / Stronger Man Nation).

While defenders accuse Alisa of slander, misrepresentation, and "barking up the wrong tree," a closer look at Howerton and McPherson's statements reveals a deeply concerning shift toward New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)-style top-down governance.

Drawing on over two decades of research into the NAR movement and co-authoring four books on the topic, I walk through the original podcast, address recent rebuttals, analyze Howerton's statements on "convening apostles," and show why Alisa’s warnings are fully warranted.

🔑 Key Takeaways & Discussion PointsThe 3 Markers of NAR Governance in the Church:

• 1. The Role of the Senior Pastor: How viewing the lead pastor as the uniquely "anointed" man at the top mirrors NAR apostolic authority.

  2. The Demotion of Elder Boards: Moving away from biblical team oversight and shepherding toward military-style chain-of-command structures ("lieutenants" vs. "privates").

  3. The "Wartime Church" Rationale: Using societal or spiritual culture wars to justify stripping checks and balances and demanding undivided authority.

• CEO Model vs. NAR Governance: Why their statements go far beyond a standard corporate structure and tap into dangerous spiritual dynamics.

• Evaluating the Rebuttals: Analyzing Howerton’s Instagram statements, his definition of "little-a" / "convening" apostles, and his recent podcasts.

• Culture & Response: What the aggressive backlash, shaming, and hand-waving against Alisa Childers reveal about top-down authoritarian church structures.

💬 Join the Conversation

Have you encountered these top-down or "wartime" leadership dynamics in your own church background? Do you think elder boards should retain a shepherding and accountability role?