Morningview Baptist Church

The Joy of Accountability

“Have you ever been in an accountability group?”  When you ask some Christians that question, all you get is a puzzled look.  We have all heard of the importance of reading the Bible, praying, memorizing scripture, and worshiping, but since when is being in an accountability group one of the means of growth in Christ and maturity in grace?
To be forthright, we do not see accountability groups specifically recommended or exemplified in the New Testament, but we do see a lot of scriptural encouragement toward deep interpersonal relationships for the purpose of spiritual growth.  The Bible tells us to Love each other (John 15:17), Serve one another in love (Gal 5:13), Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4:32), Carry each other’s burdens (Gal 6:2), Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other (James 5:16), Be devoted to one another in brotherly love and honor one another above yourselves (Rom 12:10), Encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thess 5:11), and Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24).
In terms of Christian History, the practice of meeting in same-sex accountability groups goes back to the Pietist movement and specifically to the ministry of John Wesley.  Over 200 years ago, he formalized the idea of a small group meeting for the purposes of accountability, worship, and prayer.
As recorded in The Works of John Wesley, members of these small groups were expected to agree to six common disciplines or commitments.  They are:    1. To meet once a week, at the least.  2. To come punctually at the hour appointed, not missing without some extraordinary reason.  3. To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.  4. To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word or deed, and the temptations we have felt since our last meeting.  5. To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins and temptations.  6. To end every meeting with prayer suited to the state of each person present.
Wesley’s “Holiness” groups were initially criticized by other evangelicals, but over time, many outside the Methodist church discovered the real value of having this kind of accountability between Christians.  If we are members of a biblical church, we are already under a degree of accountability with every other member our church family.  However, when it really comes to opening up our hearts and lives for examination in regards to besetting sins and specific growth goals, it is unrealistic and unhealthy for an individual to so expose themselves to an entire church family.
Thus, small same-sex accountability groups, composed of 2 to 5 church peers, fulfill a vital role in the local body of faith.  By being very personal and very focused on the practical living of one’s faith and theology, they are the perfect complement to a biblical preaching, teaching, and equipping ministry.
Since I have been in ministry, I have met consistently with a small group of godly men for accountability.  Since I have been your pastor, I have met with a group of men here at Morningview.  These men have been my partners in the pursuit godliness, and meeting regularly with them has made me a better husband, a better father, a better friend, and a better pastor.  We help one another protect the integrity of the things that matter most, and we love one another as brothers in Christ.
If you have never experienced the joyful challenge of this kind of partnership, I want to ask you to prayerfully consider seeking out a few peers to begin this type of weekly meeting.  Several months ago, we published a pamphlet on how to form a “Karis” Group (Karis is the Greek word for Grace).  It contains suggestions for prayer and reading, as well as providing a good list of accountability questions.  I have no doubt that God will use a biblically focused peer group to sharpen you spiritually and to foster a deeper walk with Him.  If you would like help finding some other men or women to meet with, please allow me the privilege of serving you.  I love you all dearly!