Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada JUNE / JULY 2004

Cover

One-On-One with Jeff Frankenstein by Ryan Richardson

Socially Acceptable Sin by Jeff Consiglio

The Music of Duvall by Justin Taylor

More Than Accountability by Andrew Chamberlin

God in the Wild by Stephen Barkley

The Pond or the Power by Warwick Cooper

Surrender by Alan Penner

LifeLine by Quinn McFarlane

Viva III by Ryan Richardson

More than Accountability, by Andrew Chamberlin

In Jerusalem, around 700 B.C., a man was called up out of the image of God Almighty to speak the visions of both the Lord's indignation and pursuit of the hearts of His people. It was in the end of the reign of the judges that Isaiah spoke to a divided nation proclaiming, "I have commanded my holy ones, I have summoned my warriors…The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war" (Isaiah 13). God has placed the names of His consecrated ones on a muster roll - an official roster of persons in a military unit. Today, men are moving "like nations massing together" into something called "accountability groups." These groups appear to ring the bell of heroism as being part of the larger story; however, the very cunning spirit of religion seems to be fashioning a plan. It is the scheme of the enemy to devour this epic "roll" that has been called forth from the image of his adversary, our Lord - who is a Warrior (Exodus 15:3).

The origin of the majority of accountability groups comes out of the motive of duty and religion. Topics and conversations stay on the shore of a very deep sea. Even if men start swift off the starting block of obligation, the race they are running will be in vain, "a chasing after the wind" (Ecc. 1:14). Most men begin to feel that accountability groups are nothing more than sin/obligation management. John Eldredge shines light on the negative origin of some small groups stating, "accountability groups feel like being assigned a parole officer to keep you in line." He goes on to point out that the traditional model of these groups declares, "you are a sinner and your heart is bad. And so we're going to put some men around you to help you not sin." This prescription comes from the stirring of a foul spirit - one that would only produce a slave and not a son.

Isaiah saw visions of the complete gospel as he writes, "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, and to set the captives free" (Is. 61). So let the questions begin. Usually, someone posing to be a leader facilitates sessions that come in the format of Q & A. Questions are great - they can stir men do dig deep in the unveiled places of their hearts. Nonetheless, the questions being asked usually take men back to the chains of duty and obligation - the very thing Christ came to break (Romans 6). The questions men end up being led to ask each other frequently produces greater captivity and often stirs up the spirit of guilt. "What have you done for God this past month?" "Have you had quiet times every day this past week?" Coming from the pure in heart, the questions are fine, but they often seem to be asked in the wrong context and at the wrong time. If the wrong questions come at the wrong time, men will anxiously strike a spiritual pose. The one that says, "Oh, I'm doing great, life is great, my marriage is great…I'll pray for you this week man!" Men share their thoughts based on the things they are hearing from the group. If one man states, "I didn't read my bible this week," another may think, "well, that doesn't compare to what I was going to share - that I've had this unexplainable anger that drove me to hit my son this week." The main point continues to be missed - groups far to often make failures and "slipups" the sole focus of the gathering

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All articles in MDM4M are copyright the author. Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.