Sometimes time management is something that is much more achievable when you don’t try to do it on your own. PastorResources.com contributor Karen Whiting is here to explain how an accountability partner can help:
Accountability partnership is teaming up with someone to be what Proverbs 27:17 describes “as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.” You hold one another accountable for progress, life choices, ministry, personal growth, and any other areas you want to develop.
As a pastor, you may want to find another pastor or a businessman from your church with a heart for your work.
Seek and become the right person for an accountability relationship. The virtues needed include trust (able to keep confidences), availability, good listening skills, discernment, encourager, speak truth with love, not jealous, compatible personalities, and able to correct in a way acceptable to one another. You should also believe in one another’s goals and visions.
Once you find an accountability partner establish some ground rules and regular meeting times. You may want to start with a friendly chat to catch up on personal lives or you may prefer a meeting with an agenda. Suggested guidelines include:
- Focus on one person at a time and allow time for both of you.
- Note the partner’s hectic days on your calendar and commit to pray for him on those days.
- Review past goals and progress.
- Discuss obstacles to progress and brainstorm ways to move forward.
- Discuss frustrations since the last meetings and possible solutions.
- Bring up any new desires and goals.
- Plan steps to achieve goals and hold the other accountable for the next step.
- Discuss action steps to take before next meeting and set deadlines.
Consider ways to encourage partner between meetings (emails, notes, calls) and commit to decisions made so you can both thrive and grow.
Karen Whiting is an international speaker, former television host, and the author of eighteen books, including Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front.