When you hear the word “accountable” what comes to mind? For many prophets, it carries a negative connotation. It may seem restricting, confining, or otherwise unpleasant. But I submit to you that accountability is a safety net.

I ran across this article by Pastor Rick Kendall and I liked his take on accountability. Check out this excerpt:

Accountability is a word that makes some nervous, because it speaks a negative connotation of being in trouble. The reason for resistance to accountability usually is a misrepresentation obtained from the past as kids tend to see it as punishment and then grow up avoiding the confrontation of accountability. While all face consequences for wrongdoing, the truth is that “accountability” should function before we get into a mess.

True accountability has two main functions. The first is examination, evaluation and assessment, and the second function is correction and perfection of growth and development. Growing up, very few of the kids in school liked taking a test, especially when it was a pop quiz. However, the test was not intended to make us look bad, but to reveal where we were and what we knew to determine how far we had progressed or where we lacked in development.

In the prophetic ministry, I believe apostolic covering brings accountability. Prophets should be submitted to the set-man of a local church, not running around on a white horse and black mask from meeting to meeting Lone Ranger-style. When Paul completed his mission, he returned to where he  was sent from: Antioch.

Prophets need a home base and accountability. Again, accountability is a safety net. Without it, we could wind up in a ditch to the left or a ditch to the right. I’d rather stay in the middle of the road, wouldn’t you?