| God has designed the Body of Christ to work like | | | | are. |
| our natural body does. Each of us may have a | | | | 3. Make changes |
| different function but we are there for the | | | | Admitting our mistakes is only half of the |
| benefit of the whole body. Your ministry is not | | | | equation. Be accountable to your team and allow |
| about you, it is about what God wants to bring to | | | | them to help you make the changes you need so |
| the Body of Christ as a unit. That is why we | | | | that same mistakes can be avoided. A plan may |
| need some form of accountability. To be | | | | set in place that highlights the steps needed in |
| accountable means to be responsible for | | | | order to make change. It can also provide a way |
| something and to be answerable for your actions. | | | | of measuring the success of those plans. |
| Accountability protects you from yourself and the | | | | 4. Learn to depersonalize the feedback |
| inherent seduction that comes from being in a | | | | Ministry is not about "you", it is about the work of |
| place of influence. | | | | God through you. Do not take offense at the |
| These are the cornerstones that make up the | | | | feedback. Realize that you want to bring honor to |
| basic framework of accountability: | | | | Him above all things. |
| 1. Invite feedback | | | | 5. Live in community |
| As a rule people do not give careful feedback | | | | God will use your life to not only touch the Body |
| without being asked. So you need to select and | | | | of Christ but the world around you. Remember |
| invite at least 3 to 4 whom you trust enough to | | | | that your whole life is public. There is no such |
| be transparent with. Meet with them one-on-one | | | | thing as living one way in your "vocation" and |
| and as a group on a regular basis. People need to | | | | another in your personal life. Your life is to be lived |
| be given permission to give you honest feedback | | | | as openly as possible in every way. The people |
| so you need to ask them and be specific in what | | | | you invite into your life will help you in this. You |
| you want feedback on. Some general areas would | | | | start by being real with them. |
| be feedback on what you teach, how you teach | | | | Anyone in leadership has the potential to bring |
| and how you live your life away from your | | | | Gods name into disrepute if not held accountable |
| ministry. Invite their scrutiny into your life so that | | | | on a regular basis. When people look at us, they |
| you can walk with integrity, honesty and humility. | | | | expect to see something of what Jesus is like, |
| 2. Admit mistakes | | | | and it is up to us to show them. Romans 14:12 |
| We really do learn from our mistakes. Be open | | | | (NIV) states "So then each of us shall give |
| about the mistakes you have made. Take | | | | account of himself to God." It is those to whom |
| responsibility for them and make amends as | | | | we hold ourselves accountable that will help us |
| needed. Use mistakes as the learning tools they | | | | maintain a ministry that is pleasing to Him. |