Accountability, ‘the fact or condition of being accountable/ responsible’ is a word we hear a lot these days, whether in the public sphere when things have gone wrong, or something being encouraged between friends or prayer partners.
So it is worth taking the time to think about accountability from a human and heavenly perspective to make the most of its blessings without expecting too much.
Human accountability is good. This may seem obvious, but it is worth starting here. The human sense of accountability, and its relation to a strong sense of justice and responsibility, are a good thing. It is intrinsic to being human, and rightly so, as it reflects the character of our Heavenly Father in whose image we are made. More than that, it reminds us that we are totally dependent on one another, even if we struggle to admit it. We want to encourage people to be accountable to one another; it helps us grow in Christlikeness. We want to encourage churches to have good governance arrangements that are ordered so as to provide checks and balances. We want those in public office to recognise the responsibility bestowed upon them in their leadership roles so nurturing workers to serve with diligence, integrity and honesty.
Why reputation is prioritised over protecting victims
In the four years of writing for Evangelicals Now, the published responses to my articles have been few and far …