Accountability

RON HAMILTON, CCCC CONFERENCE MINISTER

The Regional Pastors are working together on a project to develop a resource that will identify the “Top Ten Reasons to Affiliate with the CCCC.” This material will serve as a healthy reminder to our current member pastors and churches. It will also be used in conversations with pastors and churches interested in joining the Conference.

As I review this material, I am struck by the benefit of ACCOUNTABILITY. We live in a culture dominated by individualism and self-promotion. “I’ll do it my way!” typifies the lifestyle of many around us. However, the Scripture makes it clear that we are to live in community with accountability to and for others.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” (Galatians 6:1-3)

Godly people have healthy, accountable relationships to encourage and guide them. Accountability to members of our family is vital. Participation in a local church community with accountable relationships is so important. In the same way, membership in the CCCC provides the benefit of accountability.

Member pastors and churches agree to our Statement of Faith and a Statement of Polity when they join our fellowship. They are asked to reaffirm this commitment each year with the return of the annual Ministerial Questionnaires and Church Surveys. Member pastors agree to a Code of Ethics for Ministers and member churches agree to a Code of Ethics for Churches. These statements remind us that we are accountable to God and to other believers as we live our lives and serve in Gospel ministry.

The material being developed by the Regional Pastors says, “We are more likely to stay true to ‘the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 1:3, ESV) when we give a body of trusted believers permission to hold us accountable.” I have benefited from accountable relationships within the CCCC since I joined in 1970. I trust that we will continue to develop these relationships between pastors and churches as an expression of our devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.