February 1, 2012: Volume 1, Number 7
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COMING UP!
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February 9, 2012: HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
March 8, 2012: CONFLICT CHECKUP
April 12, 2012: CONDITIONING FOR THE COURSE
REGISTER NOW
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MORE WITH
30 60 100 MINISTRIES Near You
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January 31-February 2
Milpitas Christian Schools
Milpitas/San Jose, CA
February 24-26
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Los Gatos, CA
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| Greetings! |
Less than 1% of American Christians are in an accountability partnership that helps them grow spiritually. That's a hard statistic to swallow ... especially since it is God's idea that we motivate each other. This edition's feature article, Accountability: Who needs it?, explains why even the most spiritually self-disciplined find it easy to get off track when they try to "go it alone." We kicked off our Spiritually Healthy Leader� Series in January. It is exciting to encourage each other to go deeper! A few spots are still open for the February workshop. Don't wait  to register. Keep growing!   Dalton and Vicki
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"DO I REALLY HAVE TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE?"
| "If only I didn't have to deal with people, my life would be so much easier!"
 During February's Spiritually Healthy Leader� workshop, Healthy Relationships, you'll learn to identify your personal strengths, value the different strengths of others, and allow the overshadowing power of Christ to help you rise above limitations.
The workshops are interactive and address all facets of spiritual health, from relationships to conflict to leadership.
Workshops are not closed small groups; registration is OPEN.
Best of all, the series is flexible. You can select one or all or a combination of these workshops, to be held monthly throughout 2012. For instance, consider bringing your ministry team to the Conflict Checkup workshop on March 8.
Learn more about SHL� Workshops ... and register now.
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 Feature: ACCOUNTABILITY: Who Needs It?
| In a national survey by the Barna Group, just 5% of Christians report they are held accountable by their churches to integrate biblical principles into their lives. Of those surveyed, just one in five (19%) say their churches foster one-on-one accountability relationships.
That means less than 1% of American Christians are in an accountability partnership that helps them grow spiritually.
 Does this survey indicate that things are the way they ought to be among believers? Or perhaps we're missing a tremendous opportunity for spiritual health and growth by not being accountable to one another. In other words, do you really need an accountability partner?
Accountability is God's Idea
Mutual accountability is a cornerstone principle in the Bible. Throughout scripture, we're told to love one another, encourage one another, build one another up, bear one another's burdens, and pray for one another.
An accountability partner is another Christian of your gender with whom you've made a commitment to share, think, and stretch. Such a relationship can be a powerful tool in spiritual health, particularly when it's founded on confidentiality, trust, and transparency.
It was God's idea that we motivate each other. Even the most spiritually self-disciplined find it easy to get off track when they try to "go it alone." Plus, when you're accountable to another Christ-follower, you place yourself in a position to grow more deeply.
Facing Doubts About Accountability and Moving Ahead
Perhaps you have not been challenged to build an accountability partnership. Or you may hesitate for fear your weaknesses won't be accepted, or worse, your confidentiality will be betrayed when you share deeply with another person. You may even question whether or not entering into an accountability relationship is productive. Guys are notorious for meeting together ostensibly to share, but then just simply eat ("slurp and burp") - while a ladies' sharing time can lead to a prolonged "tea and sympathy" session. What if your accountability relationship ends up being artificial or even superficial at best?
The right accountability partner for you is someone you respect enough to enter into a trusting commitment to grow together. With the agreement comes the responsibility to create a safe place for each other to be yourselves and the commitment to encourage each other, as Paul did for the Colossians: "We pray ...that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way" (Colossians 1:10, NIV).
Growth Point
Mutual accountability is God's idea.
Scripture
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24, NIV)
Prayer Points
- How will an accountability relationship help me become more spiritually healthy?
- Is God leading me to pursue an accountability relationship?
- Some people have more than one accountability partner ("general" accountability or specific areas of accountability for business issues or parenting, for instance.) List same-gender Christians you respect and pray about initiating an accountability relationship with one of them.
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What People Are Saying ...
| "The Cultivator is terrific. I read it, then send it to my folks, and use it all the time with the choir! Love it!"
Clark Henderson, Minister of Worship Arts
Sandia Baptist Church, Albuquerque, NM
Find out more about equipping, coaching, and training opportunities with 30 60 100 MINISTRIES here. |
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