I'm doing some research to develop an accountability system for myself and pastoral team. I've begun interviewing ministry peers and leaders regarding their accountability system as well as what's out their on the topic.
Can you help? I realize accountability is born out of relationships. However, that can also be code for not having any accountability in a pastor's life. And since we're all aware that most pastors don't fail for a lack of leadership skills, etc BUT due to some type of ethical, moral, or spiritual decline, I'd like to know what you're doing to be held and hold others accountable:
- What do you do to safe guard your personal and ministry life?
- What measures of accountability do you have in place? What tools
- Who do you meet with regularly and what do they ask you?
- How have you created a checks and balances, to make sure there is real honestly in these interviews?
- How did you choose an accountability partner/ partners?
- What resources do you know of on this topic?
4 comments:
Accountability really stinks if we're honest with ourselves in one sense, because it requires us to go against our very nature. We have a tendency to want to do our own thing. I choose accountability and I don't just choose it once, I have to consistently choose it.
There are many things that are a given (ie not being alone with someone of the opposite gender, etc.) when it comes to accountability that I will not mention.
But I will mention a few:
1. I have all my guys hooked up with the covenant eyes accountability software. We are also not getting the new iphone or whatever until covenant eyes has come up with the software to cover any smart phones.
2. Financially, we have people who are checking our finances as well as a Financial Advisor who I can ask questions to make sure we are doing things right.
3. I meet with a Counselor/Life Coach/Mentor/Consultant every week. He's all the same guy. My wife and I go to meet him together. It's in our schedule. With my particular leadership make-up, this is a non-negotiable for my wife and I. Other guys may not need this. I talked to him about everything. My staff go to him as well. It's almost mandatory, although everybody wants to go.
Accountability partners and any coach can be assigned, but the best ones are divine.
To add a few pertaining to staff members I would ask about the health of their family/marriage life and the obvious one (but so often taken for granted), spiritual development.
Are they as an individual growing in their relationship with Christ? Also, not only are they growing, but is their relationship healthy... free from bitterness, resentment, sin, frustration, etc.
Another aspect I think is just as important, but rarely talked about. It's the aspect of not just helping someone "be good," but becoming great.
-How are you taking responsibility to be a good steward of God's gifts in your life, even going beyond your perceived limitations?
-Do you have a God-sized vision for your life, and are you working to fulfill it every day?
-Have you said no to a risk God instructed you to take?
bracy,
i'm interested in setting up the accountability software. a few of the guys on our team downloaded the x3 for free, but i guess we got what we paid for. what is your advice for covenant eyes? i went to the website and noticed many options and prices.
John Re: Covenant Eyes - We just did the accountability software option. We chose the family plan. I told them I was a church, and they asked me how many people were going to be on it and I said, "Three". They suggested that I just go to the family option (it's cheaper). The agent I dealt with said that as we grew in our church then we could go to the church option.
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