Every semester I try to remind my students that no matter how much experience you get in ministry, no matter how much you learn, no matter how many great and godly people you meet, and certainly no matter how many great “ministry opportunities” you have, there will never be a time in your life you can serve the Lord without times of agonizing prayer. We always must remember the need we have for the Most High to intervene in our lives.
At the same time, I have realized more than ever that no matter how far you go and how long you live, you will never get to the place where accountability is unneeded. So this past month, for the first time in a long time, I am putting myself in an accountability relationship, this with our new youth pastor at our church (Faith Baptist).
I am ready for this. I need this. I realize some (certainly not all) of my students, and many I meet briefly in my ministry travels, tend to think because I speak for God that I have a unique grasp of spirituality. Actually, the older I get, the more I am realizing I need others. Relationships matter. Life is fragile. We can in a few moments of stupidity destroy a life of service. So accountability is what I seek. It is what I need. It is what you need. I pray it is what you seek.
Brian, my accountability partner, gave me ten questions we ask each other weekly (go to characterthatcounts.org for many great lists). These are geared specifically for men. Here they are:
1. Have you spent daily time in the Scriptures and in prayer?
2. Have you had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes, tempting thoughts, or exposed yourself to any explicit materials which would not glorify God?
3. Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings?
4. Have you spent quality relationship time with family and friends?
5. Have you done your 100% best in your job, school, etc.?
6. Have you told any half truths or outright lies, putting yourself
in a better light to those around you?
7. Have you shared the Gospel with an unbeliever this week?
8. Have you taken care of your body through daily physical exercise
and proper eating/sleeping habits?
9. Have you allowed any person or circumstance to rob you of your joy?
10. Have you lied to us on any of your answers today?
Of course I struggle with all of these in some way too often. But at 48, the one I am most convicted of is the 8th. I want to serve Jesus with the same passion at 70 that I had at 17. I realize I have to be realistic. My body is not so young. So, I get on the treadmill and watch DVDs of the Office to keep me from complete boredom 
. I will look Brian in the eye this week and say for the first time in a long time I have worked out. I will get to the place where week in and week out I will not hate question 8.
Who is your Brian? To whom are you accountable? We need each other.
I am reminded of the words from the Toby Mac song (ok, not my favorite artist but hey great song), which drive me to discipline myself for the purpose of godliness:
Whatever happened to a passion I could live for?
What became of the flame that made me feel more?
And when did I forget…
I was made to love You
I was made to find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love and be loved by You
Ok, pretty simple. But I know that there are times when my passion needs kindling. When my flame needs fuel. Being around young people and my students fuels my passion. My family fuels my passion. But I also need accountability. It is a good thing to be accountable. I relish it. I look forward to it. I am a disciple of Jesus.
At 44, #8 is a tough one for me, too!
BTW, thanks for the link to the list!
Dr. Reid,
If I had to answer #8, I am afraid I would be tempted to violate #6. :>) However, I seriously struggle with #9.
Thanks for the transparency. That is the one thing I do miss about you. Many thanks for the service you give. I had to teach the High School Youth Sunday School class this past Sunday. I was so invigorated after that class. Gail told me I preached with an extra umpha.
Blessings,
Tim
Thanks for the comments. Yes Tim, I am with you on that. I want to be a radical for Jesus when I am 70. to do that I had better start changing things now. Blessed accountability!
Thanks for your blog on accountability. Everyone is subjected to ethical violations in their life. When pastors fail the test “beyond reproach” it hurts us all. But a pastor who does not submit to accountability has already compromised his integrity. I have worked with pastors for 23 years in all types of settings, and I have yet to see one hasn’t made a dumb decision in his life that he regretted, only to commit himself to more criticism by trying to cover it up.