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Accountability: It’s Too Often Missing

This week’s word is not specifically theological, apologetic, or evangelistic. Rather, the word accountability is a term embedded in the concepts of spiritual growth and discipleship. It is sorely needed in a culture defined by deception and debauchery.

The confirmed immoral and abusive behavior by Christian leader, Ravi Zacharias deceased head of the RZIM Organization, is the latest in a long line of examples. In recent years pastors, Carl Lentz of Hillsong Church, NY was fired for adultery, and James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel was fired over abusive behaviors.

I could cite too many other examples. And unfortunately for every public example like these, there are countless other resignations, forced sabbaticals, and firings of pastors or Christian leaders that will never make news headlines.

For all these leaders who have failed, there are thousands of others who remain faithful, godly examples. What is the difference? What keeps some from falling? While I won’t pretend to have all the answers, it is clear to me that those who have regular and real accountability in their lives are far more likely to remain firmly in the path of Christian sanctification than those who do not.

In the case of the recent Ravi Zacharias discoveries, not only was their deception at the root of the sin, but there was also a toxic culture that lacked accountability. If people are too afraid to call a leader out for disconcerting, inconsistent, or even deceptive behavior, then there is not a culture of accountability.

In a recent conversation, a friend observed, “When all you have around you are sycophants, there is no one to keep you accountable.” But we are accountable, and we should pursue accountability in our lives.

We are accountable to the Lord. God sees all things. Paul affirmed to the church at Corinth, “It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Corinthians 4:4). We might hide things from family and friends, from acquaintances and co-workers, or even from church members and accountability partners. But we can never hide things from God. We must take heed. God sees. This very fact should drive us to examination, confession, repentance, and behavior that pursues accountability.

We are accountable within our churches. Whether you like it or not, the spiritual growth of those around you in church is partially dependent on your spiritual walk. Sunday school classes, discipleship groups, and accountability relationships are important ways that the body of Christ can function for the spiritual accountability of believers. Knowing that others are struggling with temptations and challenges is motivation to keep our lives close and clean. Discipleship groups and accountability partners have provided enormous benefit to my spiritual growth. We need others to ask us hard questions, challenge our faith, and encourage us to be holy in our conduct.

We are accountable in our homes. The spiritual health of your home is in part dependent on your holiness as a spouse and parent. A number of years ago, my wife and I had a very difficult conversation that resulted in confession of sinful behaviors, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It was difficult for me to be confronted, but I would not trade that conversation for anything today. While my wife is not my accountability partner, we don’t hide anything from each other. She has access to all my devices. I have access to hers. We monitor our children’s screen and media access as well. Believers, we need to take seriously our responsibility to encourage holy conduct in our homes.

Here are several specific action points related to accountability that you could pursue today. If you need help with these action points, let me know. Or if you are a part of another church, reach out to your pastor. You can message me in the comments section below or on the social media platform that I post on. Or you can find my email on the About page of this website.

  • Confess and repent to God and to any person you’ve sinned against. God already knows your hidden sins (Psalm 19:13; 51). Confess hidden sins to your spouse, family, or fellow church members. Remember, God already knows and offers cleansing through Christ (1John 1:9). You should not feel any more shame or embarrassment at another finding out your sin than God knowing your sin. You cannot carry the weight of sin. And you cannot imagine the freedom that awaits a repentant heart.
  • Participate in a group. Spiritual accountability begins by growing in your faith with other believers. Participating in Sunday school and discipleship groups offers encouragement and the beginning steps of accountability. We need each other. In order to grow, we need to be anchored in the church. If you don’t have a discipleship group, start one. Other than my own personal devotional time, no other discipline has benefited my spiritual growth like my discipleship groups.
  • Find an accountability partner or partners. My accountability partner and I talk regularly. We pray for each other, confess to each other, challenge each other, and correct each other. I am deeply indebted to him for helping me work through several struggles and sins over the years. It would help to ask one another specific questions. Here’s an article by Ed Stetzer that suggests some classic and helpful accountability questions for groups and partners.

Reach out if you’d like to know how to begin a discipleship group or find an accountability partner.

Accountability can and does protect ministers and Christians from spiritual disaster. A number of years ago, one member of my accountability group began behaviors detrimental to his marriage and ministry. Another member of the group and I confronted him. This confrontation coupled with the subsequent confrontation with his wife saved his marriage and ministry. I wonder how many Christian leaders’ marriages and ministries could be rescued if there was someone to speak honestly into their lives.

In a conversation on this subject, my accountability partner observed, “Pastors who have led through this pandemic will need accountability. They’ve made more decisions and garnered more power than ever before.” I believe he’s right. But not just about pastors.

Here’s the bottom line. You need someone you can trust to look you in the eye and be able to call you out on a sin or behavior. If you don’t have that person, you need one.

I’ve tried to make this post practical and helpful. But if you are not sure where to go from here, let me know. Share in the comment section that you’d like some further conversation on this subject. Or you can encourage someone else by sharing your story of how accountability helped deepen your faith or restore relationships.

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

Anchored in the Church

In today’s post, we are going to reflect on our need for the church community. This is post number three on the topic of being anchored. We have addressed being Anchored in the Word and Anchored in the Gospel the previous two weeks.

This post is informed by the observation that when God saved sinners, he also ordained the church into existence. God’s program of salvation and relationship with mankind does occur individually, but it is is not isolated. The means for spreading the gospel, worshiping God, and serving others is the church. The church is the people of God living in community.

The Greek word, ecclesia, is the word translated church in our English Bibles. It specifically means “called out” or “the called out ones.” The universal church is made up of every believer on planet earth and represents God’s people throughout history. But while the Bible speaks of the universal church, the most common reference to church in the Bible relates to the local church, or to a specific body of believers gathered around God’s mission for worship and fellowship.

To be sure the experience of church has looked different during this Covid-19 pandemic. Attendance, interactions, programs, classes, services, and relationships have all been affected. But the mission and necessity of the church has not been changed.

Our mission at Wilkesboro Baptist Church is to lead our neighbors and the nations to follow Jesus by worshiping, learning, serving and replicating.

Since the church’s founding after the resurrection of Christ, the church has survived persecution, marginalization, heresy, and countless debates and divisions. It is safe to say that the universal church is thriving as are many local congregations.

In his first general epistle, Peter described the church using metaphors and illustrations:

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

1 Peter 2:4-10, emphasis mine.

As the church, our identity is what God says about us. We are his, and God is building us up into his dwelling place. God has made us royal priests to serve his people and purposes. God has called us from among the nations to reflect his glory and goodness to others.

As Daniel Doriani observed in his commentary on 1 Peter, “In the old covenant, God set his people apart from the nations. In the new covenant, he sets us apart as we live among the nations.” God wants his church to reflect his mercy and goodness to each other and to the peoples around us.

The bottom line. We need each other. We need the church.

This past week I entered our Wednesday evening worship service preparing to preach. This is the service we record and stream on Sunday mornings. But I was not really in a good place, mentally or spiritually, as I walked into the service. We had recently had a repair done at my house that took up a great portion of my week. I was unable to get some things done that I needed to finish. And before the service I heard some distressing news. But something changed when I gathered with the believers to worship. The songs we sang emphasized God’s glory and intervention among his people. Our corporate worship and the leadership of our worship team moved me. I teared up. Sang. Wept. Praised. Prayed. Confessed. In that moment, I needed the ministry of our worship team and the ministry of congregational worship.

The other week, I wrote about just trying to get through. This past week I had this experience again.

I don’t know about you, but there have been times in my life that I’ve prayed for daylight. There have been times that I’ve prayed just to make it through the storm. There have been times that I’ve prayed to get by to the next day.

Anchored in the Word

Sometimes, God answers our prayers to get through with each other. Sometimes, God anchors us in relationship with one another. Sometimes, God holds onto us through the ministry of the church.

More times than I can count, God has strengthened, encouraged, supported, helped, and motivated me through the ministry of believers in his church. We need to be anchored in the church.

  • To be anchored in the church, we need to be part of the church. I’m not specifically talking about church membership. To be a part of the church, we need to repent of our sins and trust Jesus for salvation. Becoming a follower Jesus is our introduction into the life of the church. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you are a part of God’s church.
  • To be anchored in the church, we need to be connected to the church. Relationships matter. If you don’t believe me, consider the fallout from the isolation and separation during this pandemic. We need the benefit that comes with counting on one another in dependence and relationship.
  • To be anchored in the church, we need to serve one another. Just in the last week, I recognized my need for the ministry of someone else. Not only do we need relationship with fellow believers, but we need the gifts and service of others. Your church needs you. And you need the ministry of others in your church.
  • To be anchored in the church, we need to defend the unity of the church. In 1 Peter 2:1, Peter wrote: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” Peter identified these community-destroying vices, and told his readers to rid themselves of behaviors and attitudes that damage the church. We have an obligation to defend the church’s unity.

Being in the church offers encouragement, accountability, service, and support. In this era of isolation and uncertainty, we need the church more than ever. Here are some application points for anchoring yourself in the life of your local church.

Attend, watch, participate. I realize not everyone can attend church right now. Masks, social distancing, pandemic spread, vulnurable health conditions are all reasons for staying home. But if you stay home, watch your church’s service online. Participate in the worship of your church. Sing. Pray. Praise. Take notes. Be a part of your church even if you are apart from your gatherings.

Call, encourage, communicate. While we may not all be able to be as present as we’d like to be, we can still remain in contact with one another. Don’t wait on someone to call you. Pick up your phone and think of someone who may be more lonely than you are. Give them a call. Send them a text. Minister to them. Serving someone else by caring for them is part of our church’s mission.

Pray, support, give. Distance does not affect one’s ability to pray for the needs and situations in the church. One way to remain connected is to pray for your pastoral staff, church leaders, and those sick in the church. Our prayers, support, and giving are ways to invest in the life of the church. Investment in the church leads to being anchored in the church.

Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash