Accountability, when it’s external, can lead to religiosity
rather than life.
Most of us have been there:
- Adhering to the rules of our church community in order to be
accepted or acceptable. - Being diligent to do our part (and making sure others
notice) as we work at the plan that the pastor/leaders are implementing for
growth or outreach or discipleship. - Holding our self accountable to a religious, Christian
lifestyle (doing the right things) but missing the passionate, inner
relationship with the living God.
These externals have a clear measurement system along with
an accountability structure to let us (and others) know how we are doing. And we normally end up feeling oppressed by
the whole thing by the time all is said and done.
But have we thrown out the baby with the bathwater by
ignoring the power of relational accountability that seems to be at the heart of
the New Testament follower’s life? (As
one example note the father son spiritual relationships in 1 Cor. 4:14-16).
We want to be passionate followers of Jesus, hearing and
following his voice and living joyfully with him every day. Do we have a spiritual-director-type in our
life who comes alongside us to keep us pointed that way?
We want to live an organic, 24/7 lifestyle, that brings the
Kingdom to earth through us and results in people’s lives transformed. Do we have a coach-type in our life who keeps
us focused on God’s daily purposes through us?
We want to learn more about specific types of ministry or spiritual
gifts that we feel drawn to. Are we
simply reading books, or are we connecting personally with others who are
headed the way we want to head so that we can learn how to walk in their steps?
In today’s world where information and knowledge is so
freely available, are we missing out on the relational components designed by
the Spirit to help us walk faithfully with Jesus while we also help others do
the same?
Organic, relational accountability. A needed, positive component in our lives?
Comments
6 responses to “Is ‘Accountability’ a Bad Word?”
We are accountable to the Lord, and no other. If other people, moved by the Holy Spirit, share thoughts on our lives with us, which we receive as from the Lord…all well and good. Other than that..forget it! IMO!
Roger, I feel like you have been drinking coffee with us!!
This post is such a reflection of conversations we have been having recently. I think that the body has been transitioning from the questions of what is counterfeit and is asking what is the really genuine reflection of Jesus and the kingdom of God. I believe that Jesus is now able to place within the family of God “accountants” who help the family grow and labour from the template of exact rlikeness of Christ in all His kingdom expression. 2 Timothy 2:15 says a lot to me about this topic.
Great questions Roger; I love it!
Many or most of us have subjected ourselves to accountability that is external, frustrating and based on an agenda that is “malformed”. I know that I tended to throw out the baby with the bathwater (at least initially) in regards to issues like accountability, leadership, finances etc. Considering the season I am now entering the questions you pose are personally relevant.
Sometimes we forget that the responses to the questions Jesus answered required accountability. Not accountability to a man, organization (besides the kingdom), method, doctrine or ideology; but to Jesus and one another. He entrusted others (disciples) to give answers that require accountability and He has given the strength to others (disciples) to be accountable. That is a serious responsibility for both sides, because we all live on both sides of that relational equation; if we are healthy. We all are to give an answer and to receive instruction from one another; period. Some of us know more that others about fill in the blank and have a real responsibility to enable one another to be accountable. How wonderful would it be in the church if we all had someone we trusted enough to give us answers that prompted us to respond and be accountable? It is up to us following the lead of the Holy Spirit to search out those relationships and be accountable for the questions asked and answers given.
I believe relational accountability is crucial to spiritual growth and the relationship whose foundation is focused on the “one another” directives from the King; is built on trust. Trust allows us to question and reason together.
The only way I am going to be able to ask the truly important questions of someone (including Jesus) is if I trust them; and vice versa. All relationships require some level of trust and accountability; if not, they aren’t relationships. If I am ever going we are going to be able to be accountable in a healthy way (to one another) we have to be living “the life” together in order to be enable to ask the important questions.
I am a firm believer that there is a real need for those spiritual fathers and mothers that come along-side us to keep us focused on God’s purposes in our lives. I hesitate to use those terms because of the way their meanings have been twisted and mangled for the last few years by men and women whose reasoning and accountability is external from the purposes of Jesus. The reality is that all relationships have a familial accountability in the Kingdom of God. If our relationships with one another are not deep enough to reflect that, then we have much work to do.
Good word and reflections too, thanks Roger and you all! All I can think to add is keep our “eyes” focused on Jesus as he taught and modeled.
I think confession is the first doorway to accountability. That begins with providing the environment where we feel safe to confess. If the sin is an ongoing struggle, and he confession is authentic then the one confessing will typically ask to be held accountable. I have a friend recovering from porn addiction, and says the only ones who make it are the ones that want to be held accountable, and do so on a continual basis. Differing degrees of sin determine the level of accountability.
Which makes me glad I found Patrick here. Patrick, I responded to you inappropriately in the Organic Community on Facebook two days ago. I posted an apology, and sought your forgiveness shortly thereafter. However, I think you blocked me, and therefore may not have seen it.
Just want to reiterate I am very sorry, and ask that you will forgive me.
To add, when we do gather I think the first order of business is confessing out faults to one another. A good way is by confessing our minor faults to get it flowing. We gradually move up so the larger faults and sin can be confessed.
For example a husband might confess that when his wife does a certain, innocuous thing it triggers and riles his flesh, and he responds with inappropriate anger criticism. Here, someone in the group might ask if he wants some accountability. If not, don’t push it. If he doesn’t want it would never work to begin with. Or, a deeper exploration might ensue leading to the root cause, and it the fault and sin is “fumigated” out and gone.
Finally, confession is GOOD for the soul, and leads to healing.