As promised on my last BLOG, here's Mikes article on accountability as posted in his most current Newsletter. If you'd like to read more from Mike visit: www.freshwindministries.org
LEADER'S CORNER
Accountability
Ted Haggard's fall from grace reminds us of the need for accountability relationships. Let me offer some quick, challenging thoughts on the subject.
Accountability suggests the lateral, horizontal aspect of life.
• We're accountable to other people.
we count to them (matter) and we count to them (itemize).
• These people need to have some authority in relation to us, which we give them.
• It involves trust of those to whom we're accountable.
• also respect
Accountability presupposes love and acceptance (if you don't love me, I won't level with you).
Accountability presupposes a desire to be well.
Accountability presupposes a determination to relate.
Accountability requires honesty, trust, courage in the one being held accountable.
Accountability requires trustworthiness, discretion, largeness of heart in those holding accountable.
Accountability promotes balance, health, teamness in the sense of not-being-alone.
Accountability is not an adversarial but a parakletial relationship.
Accountability's areas of concern are:
• sin
• responsibility--to agreed upon criteria
• growth
• health
i.e. the tough stuff.
Accountability allows us to be agents of each other's growth and freedom.
Accountability recognizes that none of us is a capable judge of ourselves.
Accountability provides an on-going opportunity to get real, to become truthful, to face our spiritual enemies, to lay hold of the grace to change what should be changed.
Accountability realizes that I can hold off God all day long, but I really start to deal when I tell you,
and that God is the author of this dynamic.
Accountability says "I give you permission to ask tough questions".
• "Have you done what you said you were going to do?" "Why?" "Why not?"
• and the toughest and last question is, "Have you just lied to me?"
Accountability in the church is an opportunity to grow through a relationship that no other relationship on earth provides. No other relationship provides the combination of grace, honesty, forgiveness, forbearance, hope, and power which this can provide.
The goal of Accountability is not success but growth, not perfection but improvement, not flying solo but as part of the flock.
May I suggest a New Year's resolution to get an accountability partner?
