Last month, I talked about the importance of creating healthy habits and accountability. And, I told you about a simple tool that I have found helpful for me personally (the Habit app). You can read that article HERE. But this month, I want to focus more on the accountability side of that conversation, and I want to encourage you to seek out real accountability in your life.
Let me ask you… Who is holding you accountable? Is there someone in your life who knows your struggles and temptations? Is there someone in your life who is helping you walk in faithfulness? Is there someone in your life who actually knows you… the real you?
Here is the reality. For many pastors, ministry can be a lonely place. I have heard some people even describe it as the most lonely job on the planet. Even though pastors are surrounded by people who love them and respect them, most pastors struggle to have genuine friendships at their church. They don’t feel like they can be real with their church members out of fear of losing their job. They worry that if their church members really knew about the things they struggle with, that their church members would not want them to be their pastor anymore. And unfortunately, this has proven to be true many times (many pastors have lost their jobs this way).
So, what is the solution? If accountability is important (and it is), then what is the best way to have this in your life?
In my experience, I think it is best for pastors to find people outside of their church who can hold them accountable. There needs to be other men in your life who genuinely care about you, and want to see you live a life of faithfulness. And since these men are not at your church, it allows you the freedom to be real with them without the fear of losing your job.
My encouragement to you is to find 2-3 godly men outside of your church who you can be real with, and explain that your desire is to walk in faithfulness to the Lord. And ask if they would be willing to hold you accountable in certain areas where you are weak (lust, pride, greed, etc.). And who knows? Maybe they need accountability too, and they can lean on you for the same thing in their own lives.
As always, please feel free to reach out if there is anything I can do to help you. And, please be sure to join our new Facebook Group as well! You can join HERE.
