Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1202130
Who's Got Your Back? BSHDFC Mentorship [The following is taken in part from the BSHDFC Mentorship program; a series of ten lessons required for all incoming members.] There would be no Christian church without "each other." The church is, in fact, never spoken of in the New Testament as a building, but as a "gathering of people." ( ekklesia ) In lesson nine we discuss at greater length what has become known as "the one anothers." (A quick word search of "one another" in the New Testament reveals this phrase dozens of times, commanding how we should treat each other.) The erroneous declaration, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian !" may be technically true for someone living on a desert island, but scripturally unbiblical for the rest of us . God intended for us to BE together , work together, get along, share our spiritual gifts and abilities, train and encourage and even correct one another. Together we are "the body of Christ." An accountability partner is someo ne you trust to keep you going in the direction that you have said you want to go . They are not ABOVE you, (not a boss, not a parent) but come alongside of you, as you do them, to help keep each other on tract. Hebrews 10:24 - 25 says, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing nea r" (NLT, second edition). An accountability partner is there for you to talk to, pray with and listen to for advice and receive direction. They offer an open mind and a safe place to vent your feelings. They bring perspective, honesty and are willing to t ell you when you are wrong. We all need someone like this in our lives. PAGE 4 / WWW.BLACKSHEEPHDFC.ORG Four Requirements for Accountability Partners 1. Someone of the same gender 2. Someone who is a peer (not above or below) 3. Someone of the same faith or value system 4. Someone committed to your success Accountability partners share on a very personal and intimate level. It would not be wise to get that close t o someone of the opposite sex. And i f you're thinking about your spouse as an accountability partner, forget it! While they may fit three out of the four requirements, they are lacking in the necessary objectivity. Accountability is not mentoring. Mentoring is one leading another. Accountability is mutual disclosure. Accountability implies a "standard." It is cri tical, therefore, for the two (or at most three) partners to be "on the same page" in terms of their spiritual beliefs and moral values. Accountability partner s truly love and care for each other. They are friends who want to see the other succeed in life as much as they do. They need to meet often, even once a week u nless distracted by the most urgent of circumstances. Stephen Covey writes, "Accountability breeds response - ability." They may or may not choose to take in a meal together, but an hour or mor e should be devoted to sharing your temptations, weaknesses, fears, struggles, hopes and dreams. Accountability partners may call each other during the week to simply ask the quest ion , "How are you doing today?" Honesty and confidentiality are absolute s if accountability is to be effective. So, that begs the question : "Who's got your back?" If you're in any kind of real ministry , you need someone who comes alongside of you. Ministry is WAR in the truest sense. Y ou have an objective and the re is an enemy who opposes you and is in fact out to destroy you. Many good men and women, pastors even, have fallen into temptation and not known how to get out. There was no one there for him or her to talk to.