Accountable Men Part II by Holly Spence

Competently and plainly the traits of faithfulness are outlined for the reader - meeting the goal of knowledge concerning the requirements for leaders and the expected self examination that must occur after reading such a persuasive truth. The traits of faithfulness are submission, consistency, loyalty and stewardship. Submission is a foul word in the church today and is often interpreted as control or being a slave. Unfortunately it does stem from abuse of leadership in today’s churches. Pastors making a poor attempt to justify their behavior through the scripture particularly Hebrews 13:17 (NKJ) which reads “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” We are to be submissive because they “watch out” for our souls and the leader should be under the ruling of God. I love how the message bible reads; it puts it all in perspective and makes it quite clear leaders should be lead by God and not their own wisdom. “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?”

“….They are alert to the condition of your lives and WORK UNDER THE STRICT SUPERVISION OF GOD…” when this is occurring in a leadership team coupled with a believer free of the “slave mentality” the work of the ministry is a joy! While there is much responsibility on the leadership team, those that follow do have a responsibility which starts at agreement. Submission is required from leaders and followers alike. You have need to pass through the gate of the shepherd to be examined and checked for life threatening organism that may have attachment themselves to you. We as sheep can sometimes be blinded by things, situations and people. However the Shepherd won’t miss anything. This examination allows for the fine tuning that is needed to ensure leaders have fruit that remain. 

We don’t necessary care for the correction or assessment of our weaknesses. However, how do we ever expect to grow without such pruning? We need people around us to tell us where we error as well as encourage us when we are doing a good job. This type of correction ensures that as leaders we are meeting the faithful trait of stewardship. The bible says in Luke 16:11 that “…if you haven’t been faithful in unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches?”

When a person is faithful these traits are seen clearly and concerning stewardship all of the persons resources are available to be used how God sees fit (including our money). Stewardship is not a self-centered or selfish, but rather selflessness which looks for opportunities to serve. Serving others and not for the sake of our own agendas or for our own glory. As faithful stewards we recognize the need to be what God has called for us in the earth – a reflection of his image, an explanation of him in the earth, the answer to someone else’s problem.  The work of the ministry is not about what we want to do and how we want to do it, but carrying out the assignment given to us through the “God-father” (God through the spiritual father/pastor). 

As believers we will not be judged for our sin, because that has been eradicated at Calvary, but on our works. We are going to hear our Heavenly Father say, “Well done…” or “Depart, I knew you not…”

Good stewardship is fueled by consistency, which is yet another faithfulness trait identified in “Accountable Men”. There is a need for us to be steadfast and unmovable. Not on an emotional roller coasters or a worker for God one week and the next week we don’t have time. Noah was consistent in the assignment God had given him. Although he had never seen rain, never built an ark or gone to the university majoring in zoology Noah was faithful to his ministry assignment. I can imagine the looks, stares, and the ridicule he encountered concerning the building of such a massive object. Noah was not deterred. The bible never mentions him being discourage or frustrated. He was a good steward of his time, resources and abilities. He worked faithfully to complete his assignment. 

Follow Me @IAMHOLLYSPENCE