Memorial Baptist Church

Accountability

Purpose:  To build stronger relationships among believers, to further one’s understanding of the spiritual disciplines of Christianity, and to lay the foundation needed for entering a more rigorous level of spiritual growth—the discipleship program.

Who should consider the Accountability program?  Every Christian should consider entering at least one semester of accountability.  Accountability is intended to provoke you to a more disciplined walk with Christ.  It can also serve as an exceptional environment for encouragement.  (Matt 5:6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied).

How this will take place:

You will be paired with someone who is currently in the discipleship program.  He/she will meet with you on a weekly basis to help prepare you for discipleship for one semester.  There are three semesters annually:  fall (Sep-Dec); winter (Jan-May) and summer (Jun-Aug).  There will be at least two weeks in between semesters for evaluations, a break from meeting, and enrollment of new disciples. 

Requirements for entrance into formal accountability:

Þ              Regular church and Sunday school attendance—as you are able.

Þ              Daily Bible reading with the church Bible reading schedule.

Requirements while in formal accountability:

Þ              You must set a meeting date and time to meet with your partner.  You must not miss these meetings and must come prepared.

Þ              You must commit to faithfully meet with your partner for an entire semester (usually 3-4 months).

Þ              You must keep the information shared in accountability confidential.

Subjects that are addressed in accountability:

Þ              You will be accountable to your partner for your church and Sunday school attendance.  If you miss one or more of the services between meetings you will be expected to explain your absence.

Þ              You will be accountable for your daily Bible reading and will be asked to discuss your reading or questions that has arose from the text.

Þ              You will be asked about your daily living—how you are living out what you are learning in the above contexts and from SS and worship services.

Þ              You may be given a short assignment concerning the text or something that comes up in your discussion.

Þ              You may be given memory work: verses, Bible facts, catechism, etc.

Þ              You will close with prayer with your partner.

While friendships and fellowship will likely be a byproduct of your accountability time, the primary focus is to provoke growth in the spiritual disciplines and to prepare you for discipleship.

Desired Result:

1.      Increased discipline and spiritual maturity.

2.      After you have been faithful in accountability for one semester, you and your partner will discuss whether you will advance into discipleship, continue in accountability, or leave formal accountability.

3.      1 – 2 semesters in accountability is strongly preferred before entering into the discipleship program.  This gives you time to prove your faithfulness and seriousness about in-depth spiritual growth. 

4.      If you regularly fail to be faithful in your assignments, you may be asked to take a semester off.