This article identifies accountability as a Biblical principle that is a central component of the spiritual transformation process. It provides the results from a national study conducted by the Barna Group that examined the extent to which accountability has been integrated into the church. Respondents were asked, "Does the church that you attend most often do anything specific to hold you, personally, accountable for integrating your faith into your daily life?" Only 5% of church-going Christians indicate that they are held accountable by their church. While some subgroups were more likely to be held accountable, those who experience accountability in church are a small minority. Small group participation was the most likely source of accountability, followed by membership standards, individuals holding one another accountable, lay and pastoral leadership, and congregational accountability.
The article suggests several reasons for lack of accountability. First, leaders are adverse to conflict. In addition, Christians are uncertain of the boundaries between judgment and discernment and in their desire to avoid being judgment, ultimately avoid responding to real issues. American culture also espouses individuality and freedom, and accountability would seem to impinge upon those values.
No matter the reason, it seems clear that accountability is rarely found within the church. Yet, as the article notes, accountability is a vital part of correcting and disciplining members of the church in order to facilitate spiritual growth and formation. Unfortunately, the article does not offer any suggestions or insights into how accountability might be increased and applied consistently.
I’ve been concerned about this missing/hard to find or quantify virtue at my own church. One of the goals for the ministry I lead is to create a method of establishing groups who have as their central purpose accountability. I lead the men’s ministry, and think that this is the most sensible place for accountability to really happen. One of the challenges I face however, is that men, are as good at being vulnerable to other men as they are at giving their wives facials; its not something that we know how to do. I have heard overwhelmingly that its something our men want, but they don’t know how to do it.
ReplyDeleteIf not in men’s groups specifically I think that the only other sensible place is in small groups. No pastor nor staff can be responsible for all accountability issues with in their church, and I think should only be expected to be involved as a last line of defense; sort of that Matt 18 principle, start small.
If churches are going to rely on small groups to hold individuals accountable, this places greater demands on the leaders of those groups and will require training for those folks in many cases. Accountability is touchy, it must be developed intentionally.