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The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him.”  That is certainly true in life, but also true in the ministry.  One pastor recently confessed, “I feel like I am pastor to everyone and friend to no one.”  A survey conducted by Leadership revealed that over 60% of pastors surveyed admitted to having no close friend.  Unquestionably, there is a need for genuine relationships among spiritual leaders.  One of the most needed byproducts of meaningful relationships among spiritual leaders is authentic accountability.  But is it possible to find relationships that can offer support, encouragement, and also an authentic accountability?  

Everyone says you should have it and leaders everywhere are saying that they’re looking for it.  The word accountability has become worse than a cliché or a buzzword.  Despite all of the talk, though, most spiritual leaders are struggling to find healthy accountable friendships.  Is it even possible to find friendships which can provide accountability in addition to loving support?

Although it is a difficult word to define, there are several ideas that “accountability” includes:
· Answering for one’s life
· Supplying the answers to the “hard” questions
· Being willing to explain one’s actions
· Being open, honest, and non-defensive about one’s motives

Accountability is the byproduct of a close relationship with one or a few intimate friends.  By definition, accountability must be voluntary—forced or mandatory accountability is usually insincere and unproductive.

Now that we understand what it is, let’s examine several observations about accountability.

1. Authentic accountability must be experienced in the context of a meaningful friendship.  One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to find authentic accountability is to create an artificial accountability.  Functional and healthy accountability must grow out of the context of a genuine friendship.  Without the backdrop of an unguarded, close, loving, meaningful relationship, the idea of being accountable to one another will be harsh and abrasive.

2. We are all ultimately accountable to God.  He is our judge and we will all answer to God when we stand before Him.  The scripture advocates a sober and humble attitude toward God in view of His role as judge.  “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom…” (2 Timothy 4:1)  In clear, terse terms Paul adds the fact that, “each of us shall give account of himself to God.”  We should all realize the need to answer to God for our motives, attitudes, and actions daily as well as when we stand before the judgment seat.

Those of us who have shepherding responsibilities are faced with an even more sober reality—answering to God for the souls of those we are responsible for as leaders. (Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17)

3. All leaders need authentic accountability.  We have all observed the devastation caused by fallen leaders.  None of us is naïve enough to believe that accountability will eliminate failure among leaders.  However, there are reasons why all spiritual leaders need it.  One reason is that human leaders cannot handle unchecked power.  Another reason we all need accountability is because too many leaders do not make integrity their aim.

4. Too frequently accountability is idealized rather than realized.  Authentic accountability must be practiced, not only talked about.  Today, too many spiritual leaders are developing the façade of being accountable, but in reality there is little or no openness, vulnerability, or even quality time spent together.  

5. Authentic accountability requires specific character traits.  Healthy accountability is not automatic only because two individuals agree to it.  It requires at least four character traits:
· Vulnerability—capable of being confronted, open, unguarded, non-defensive
· Teachability—anxious to learn new things, humble, quick to listen, willing to change, invites advice
· Honesty—committed to truth, hates phony or counterfeit, models sincerity
· Availability—accessible, touchable, can be interrupted, willing to meet regularly

For too long spiritual leaders have deceived themselves into believing they were islands of independence, living lives free of one another. The truth is that we are living in days of unprecedented spiritual attack against leaders.  We must learn to relate, to open up to one another, to touch one another and to answer to one another.  Find one or two friends you can trust, and meet regularly with them. Build a meaningful relationship which can provide the safety and support needed for true accountability.

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