I used to think it was. Accountability was code, in my mind, for
"you don't trust me"
"you're just keeping tabs on me"
"you're looking over my shoulder"
Real accountability is different, if the heart of the person has your best interest in mind.
Real accountability means a place to be honest, a place to learn and a place to show your work and ask, "How does this look?"
"Failing to hold someone accountable is ultimately an act of selfishness."
- Patrick Lencioni
I would add that not making ourselves accountable is equally as selfish, Hiding in ministry bubble, asking ChatGPT to affirm you and guide you, takes away God's plan for human accountability, not just for the end result but in the journey as well.
God could have let Adam and Eve just run off naked and let them hide out for the rest of their days but instead He calls out to them
"But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”" Genesis 3:9
Who do you check in with every month?
Who is keeping you on track?
Who is there to call out your nonsense?
Living with no accountability isn't freedom, it's a trap waiting to be sprung.
Find someone and ask to be accountable. Life and ministry work out better that way.
Have a great week,
Paul
P.S. If you can't find someone to be accountable to, you can always check out My Monthly Mentor program and see if it could be a fit for you.
This is the full movie One Foot In Heaven about the life and trials of a Methodist minister and although I am not Methodist (I did serve in a Methodist church for one for one year), the themes are the same across the ministry board. You can read my take aways here.