Keeping the Corpath Experience REAL with ACCOUNTABILITY
Over the next few weeks, we will continue our journey as we focus on four unique ways your group can operate with transparency and high integrity while providing a safe space for Corpath members to share and walk through the Christian journey together.
Using the word REAL as an acronym for the four ideas, the first two topics we discussed were RESPECT and ENCOURAGEMENT.
For this week, we will focus on keeping the Corpath Experience REAL with ACCOUNTABILITY.
Q: What do you think about when you hear the word accountability? Are your thoughts positive or negative when you think about this word?
The whole idea of accountability has gotten a bad rap over the years. In the professional sense, we often only hold those “accountable” who are missing the mark or are lacking in performance. It’s a way to manage people in a way that exposes behaviours that need correcting. As a result, we often think of accountability in negative terms.
Should it be this way?
Being held accountable means being reviewed against a certain set of standards and/or allowing others to take a look at our performance and review our actions for the purpose of providing additional points of view. Generally speaking, we allow ourselves to be accountable to those we are committed to, respect deeply, or have a certain level of authority or expertise that we value.
I would argue our greatest progress and growth is realized when we have allowed ourselves to be accountable in some fashion. The opposite is also true; we grow or progress slowly when we are not accountable.
As believers in Christ, we know that one day we will be called to give an account of ourselves before God.
In Romans 14 (NIV), Paul says, “As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
This is truth; everyone will submit to God’s sovereignty and be held accountable for the life we have lived.
There is also great value when being accountable to our brothers and sisters as well. I believe one of the best ways to “be REAL”, to build strength and develop integrity with your Corpath forum group is to encourage accountability with each other. The commitment of members to the group and the respect shown to each other helps create the safe space for you to develop strength and grow character.
Consider this verse, Proverbs 15:22 that says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”
When we choose to uphold each other in prayer we are also agreeing to support with love and mercy.
James 5:16 says “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Q: When is the last time you were accountable to/with your Corpath group? What was happening?
It’s not always easy to be accountable. It can be uncomfortable and unsettling. Yet doing it honestly has the unique ability to build deep and valuable relationships that will last the tests of time.
That’s part of what being REAL in your Corpath group is all about.
PRAYER
God, I thank you for this message today. I praise you for your mercy and am grateful for those you have put in my circle of influence; my Corpath group. I ask that you give me courage to be completely honest with them and ask them to hold me accountable for my struggles and challenges. May I respond in transparency, submission, and love. Amen
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
