Thoughts on Accountability

Accountability is described by Patrick Morley as the missing link for discipleship.  In this context, discipleship can include any number of good biblical practices, knowledge of biblical concepts, a strong community of Christ-followers, and still be missing something.  What it is missing is something like a constant friend.  They could meet weekly or bi-weekly, but the regularity is determined not by obligation, but by desire, the sense that accountability is a lifelong endeavor that is the gateway for faithfulness to become habitual.  What is required above all is a particular understanding of the Christian life – that it is a battle that doesn’t end until the grave.  The Christian must be on guard, not only for one’s own behalf, but on behalf of the community of people around this person.

Key to this is realizing two seemingly contradictory things which actually are both essential to the one who seeks accountability.  1) I don’t want to be held accountable, and 2) I want very much to be growing in my faithfulness to Christ, and I see that accountability can only help me to do this.  The one who wants accountability will realize that the first thing will always be there to an extent, but then also realizes that the second thing has become stronger in them than the first.  In other words, the person simultaneously doesn’t want to be accountable and wants to be faithful and realizes that accountability is the best way to grow in this.  That person will long for accountability in such a way that it will coexist with, and also overcome their disdain for it.  They will have a love/hate relationship with accountability but will also experience it to be lifegiving.  They learn to love challenge, and identify facing challenge with Jesus’ command to them to take up their cross.

There are three models of this type of one-on-one relationship that all have insights as to clarifying what we mean by Christian accountability.  The first is the 12-step program.  12-step programs include on-going accountability relationships between a recovering addict and a sponsor, who is also a recovering addict.  The relationship is not optional.  It is necessary for the person to function well and to thrive.  Their thriving is not a matter of personal virtue, but it is a byproduct of recognition of their own weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and sins, and a strength they receive from outside themselves – from God and from an encouraging community.  The conversations are so life-giving that they happen everyday.  The two often don’t feel a need for any sort of small-talk or banter because they might talk everyday to get clarity on the challenges each of them may face that day, and these conversations achieve personal depth and transparency and play their part in as little as 15-30 minutes of conversation.  The growing Christian learns more and more to see him or herself as a sin addict, who needs Christ everyday to actually be Christian.  

The second is the business coaching model.  The coach for leaders in the business world is paid money to identify catalytic practices that leaders should give up or take on for the benefit and profitability of their company.  Thus, too much small talk and banter are inefficient and a poor use of the money that is being paid to the coach to achieve real results in the private working life and the relational networks of this leader.  As the business leader engages with a coach for the sake of fellow employees and to be a contributing team member of the business, the Christian also engages in an accountable relationship with another Christian for their own growth and also for the growth of those they influence, so they can be a better-contributing team player to their family, their church, and to the world as a Christian.  The coach verifies that action steps will be taken.  

Third, there is the spiritual direction model.  Spiritual directors do not themselves direct, but think of themselves more as witnesses to what the Holy Spirit is doing in the life of the person being directed.  Thus, the spiritual director invites the Holy Spirit into the session, listens with the intentness of one who is convinced that the Holy Spirit is already at work in the person before you.  They facilitate a deeper connection between the directee and the Holy Spirit for discernment.

Christian accountability is a combination of the three of these.  12-step groups remind us that Christians too are addicts who need a larger community to overcome addiction.  Leader coaching reminds us that it is in our own best interest and the best interest of those around us that we seek efficiency and excellence in our pursuit of God.  Spiritual direction reminds us that we are in this not so much to determine what we will do or won’t do, but to see what the Holy Spirit is doing.