Praise the Lord Beloved!!!
Happy Monday to you.
Isolation, Loneliness, Solitude. Beloved, these are three of the most common characteristics as pastors and church leaders encounter even though we’re surrounded by many people. Our position as shepherds, separated from the flock in many ways, can cause us to become closed off to much of the world.
You see, living a private life in secrecy or inaccessibility leaves room for self-betray and, eventually, to what I call a culpability breakdown.
So, to avert that breakdown, we need the openness that connecting with others provides. Recognizing our need for others means that we stay very alert of any predisposition to compromise. We also understand that we’re not invulnerable to a fall. We must be willing to be open and connect. So, we sustain genuine accountability as pastors.
Now young pastors or church/ministry leaders, I have a little advise for you,
“if “you want to sustain your veracity.
Now, if you noticed, you’ll see your seasoned pastors or church/ministry leaders with only a few men with integrity. And the reason for this is because they can be themselves without any fall out. You see, for me personally It’s a common practice for me to choose people outside the scope of my work. As a ministry leader, I don’t choose too many pastors to hang out with. I try to connect with those who can evaluate my life with objective eyes and I choose people who aren’t in awe of my presence. I also seek the people who doesn’t have anything to gain or lose.
Second, you must be committed to absolute, deep down honesty. In other words, you have refuse to hide, excuse or deny. That’s because self-betrayal is a danger for all people, especially pastors, ministers and leaders.
I have found this within myself, that for some reason we as pastors or Sr. leaders feel that being an “example” means we never make mistakes, so we try to cover it up!!! I have found that in a leadership role you must be very attentive “cautious” against any half-truths, because the only ones we fool are ourselves.
And finally, be determined to answer diversified questions on a variety of practical topics to facilitate your openness. A lot of times I’m painfully specific such as:
*Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as negotiating?
*Have any of your financial dealings lacked honesty?
*Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
*Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer this week?
*Have you invested sufficient priority time to your family?
*Have you fulfilled the directives of your pastoral or ministerial, role?
*Have you just lied to me?
LOL!!! And that last one is the clincher!!!
Beloved, unless you’re a practiced hypocrite, answering these questions in a small group of individuals will provide you the spiritual and moral anchorages you need to accomplish your God-given role as a pastor or ministry leader.
You see, when we intentionally engage ourselves with those who keep us honest, we safeguard our lives, our families, and our flocks from the backwash of the accountability breakdown. The pain of real accountability is nothing compared to the pain from a lack of veracity.
Have a blessed Week Everyone.
