In a national survey by the Barna Group, just 5% of Christians report they are held accountable by their churches to integrate biblical principles into their lives. Of those surveyed, just one in five (19%) say their churches foster one-on-one accountability relationships.
That means less than 1% of American Christians are in an accountability partnership that helps them grow spiritually.
Does this survey indicate that things are the way they ought to be among believers?
Or perhaps we’re missing a tremendous opportunity for spiritual health and growth by not being accountable to one another.
In other words, do you really need an accountability partner?
Accountability is God’s Idea
Accountability is a cornerstone principle in the Bible. Throughout scripture, we’re told to love one another, encourage one another, build one another up, bear one another’s burdens, and pray for one another.
An accountability partner is another Christian of your gender with whom you’ve made a commitment to share, think, and stretch. Such a relationship can be a powerful tool in spiritual health, particularly when it’s founded on confidentiality, trust, and transparency.
It was God’s idea that we motivate each other. Even the most spiritually self-disciplined find it easy to get off track when they try to “go it alone.” Plus, when you’re accountable to another Christ-follower, you place yourself in a position to grow more deeply.
Facing Doubts About Accountability
Perhaps you have not been challenged to build an accountability partnership. Or you may hesitate for fear your weaknesses won’t be accepted, or worse, your confidentiality will be betrayed when you share deeply with another person. You may even question whether or not entering into an accountability relationship is productive. Guys are notorious for meeting together ostensibly to share, but then just simply eat (“slurp and burp”) – while a ladies’ sharing time can lead to a prolonged “tea and sympathy” session. What if your accountability relationship ends up being artificial or even superficial at best?
The right accountability partner for you is someone you respect enough to enter into a trusting commitment to grow together. With the agreement comes the responsibility to create a safe place for each other to be yourselves and the commitment to encourage each other, as Paul did for the Colossians: “We pray …that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way” (Colossians 1:10, NIV).
