On a recent Saturday, I conducted a morning retreat to
launch a peer coach training group in our church. In the presentation, we discussed the value
of growth-centered relationships. Peer
coaching attempts to foster relationships that will lead to personal and
spiritual growth. I was reminded that relationships that produce
individual growth are actually rooted in two things—encouragement and
accountability. They are two sides of a
coin.
Several years ago, I was involved in a performance review
with my supervisor. As we talked, I
recounted some things that I had tried in the past year that has seemed
promising but had failed to produce the desired results. I suppose I was feeling a bit guilty about
the lack of success these efforts produced.
My supervisor responded with a comment to this effect: “Don’t worry about it. Keep trying new things. It’s the only way you will learn what works.” Although he was not abdicating the position
of accountability he held over me, he was also giving me the gift of
encouragement.
In Missional Renaissance
, Reggie McNeal writes, “Genuine
spirituality lives and flourishes only in cultures and relationships of
accountability.” We might add to that
statement these words: “and where one is encouraged to grow.”
, Reggie McNeal writes, “Genuine
spirituality lives and flourishes only in cultures and relationships of
accountability.” We might add to that
statement these words: “and where one is encouraged to grow.”
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