How Important Is Accountability To You? |
Dec 30, 2010 |
This past year I have noticed a few organizations who’ve closed their doors (and a few that seem like the end is inevitable) all cease to exist because they have failed to hold one another accountable for what they do. Either the leadership felt like accountability was something that wasn't needed, or they didn't understand that they should be holding themselves, and others, accountable to see that the cause (they mutually care so deeply about) is making an impact.
If you had read an article recently written by Audrey Barrick in The Christian Post, you would also say many simply don't see accountability as important.
Is accountability important even if some don’t view it as such? Sure it is!
In this article written by Barrick, titled "Survey: 1 in 20 Christians Cite Accountability in the Church," she states that “Only 5 percent of Christian adults indicated that their church does anything to hold them accountable for integrating biblical beliefs and principles into their life.”
As a Christian non-profit you are no different than the church when it comes to connecting with and growing your champions.
George Barna, director of the survey that Barrick cites, stressed that mutual accountability is one of the cornerstones of the biblical concept of community. He continues, "With a large majority of Christian churches proclaiming that people should know, trust and obey all of the behavioral principles taught in the Bible, overlooking a principle as foundational as accountability breeds even more public confusion about scriptural authority and faith-based community, as well as personal behavioral responsibility."
No wonder many churches and organizations no longer exist.
Do you see the need for accountability for what you and your champions do or don’t do?
What are you doing to hold your champions accountable? Do you help them integrate biblical beliefs and principles in their life as they connect with you and your cause?
Mission Increase Foundation's Transformation Giving Principle #5 says that, "transformational giving relationships between champions and organizations are primarily peer-level accountability relationships, not friendships or organizational support relationships."
This doesn't imply that we can't have friendships! What it does mean is that we must hold each other accountable to see that something we care about is making or having an impact.
My challenge today is that we would not be listed as one of the 19 of the 20 that don’t care (or have a plan) to help those who connect with us to grow.
We must realize that accountability is the key by which all of us (who are connected) grow and find encouragement in what we are a part of.
As the New Year begins I would like to encourage you make this Transformational Giving principle a priority as you seek to connect with your champions in a greater way in 2011.
