Developing Your Writing Habit: Accountability

“The Multiplication of God’s Glory”

Dear writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and prayerfully considered pulling your God-given dream into reality by making a concrete goal out of it! This week, we’re shifting gears to focus on the role accountability plays in developing a consistent writing habit.

You see, part of sustaining our writing habit lies in the support and encouragement we receive from others. Although writing can feel like a solitary activity, we were never designed to go it alone. We were created to be part of the Body of Christ so that we can be strengthened by what every joint supplies. This applies to every area of our lives and especially to our writing.

But before we dive in, let’s look at some others whose work was spurred on and sustained by the relationships they fostered…

Accountability in History

William Wilberforce is a great example of accountability. You see, writer, Wilberforce did not abolish slavery single-handedly. One key to Wilberforce’s fortitude and ultimate success in the decade-long fight to end the British slave trade was the Clapham group that met weekly in his neighborhood. All were ardent abolitionists who sought to overthrow the slave trade. This group of friends worked tirelessly throughout British society as they used their influenced to shape public opinion toward the slave trade, which had—up to that time—been widely accepted.

You see, writer, without the Clapham group’s ongoing encouragement and support, Wilberforce’s great initiatives may have never made it past the Parliamentary floor. The growing public outcry fueled by the Clapham group played a vital role in turning the tide that won the arduous legal and culture battle among the British people and politicians.

Accountability in the Bible

The apostle Peter is another great example of a man who embraced community and accountability. Peter came to faith in Christ and grew in that faith in the context of ongoing accountable relationships. After the death of Christ, it was through those relationships he received news of the risen Christ who told Mary Magdalene expressly to tell his disciples and Peter. 

After Pentecost, Peter continued to regularly meet with the other Apostles to share in the ministry of the Word, the Lord’s supper, and in fellowship. Peter even received faith-saving correction from Paul when he was tempted to give in to the pressures of local Judaizers. Peter’s commitment to community not only safe-guarded and fueled his ministry, it also produced the Gospel of Mark which John Mark compiled from Peter’s eyewitness accounts of Christ. 

You see, writer, when God gives us the seed of an idea or a calling, He often plants the wisdom and support needed for its growth in those He’s strategically placed in our lives. People who will pray for, encourage and counsel us. People who can sometimes see objectively and bring clarity when we need it most.

Accountability in Life

I grew in accountability when I joined the prayer team at my church. I served on the team for several years, but as I began to wade into deeper ministry waters in my own life, it seemed more and more that my own prayers were going unanswered. At last, I felt the Lord impress upon me a simple thought. If I wasn’t willing to allow those He had provided in my life to pray for and counsel—what more could I expect Him to do? 

As I chose to do the uncomfortable thing and begin sharing my life and ministry and needs with a few key dear friends, God began to open, through them, a whole new level of wisdom and discernment. That not only re-energized my own ministry but grew its scope and impact, too.

Accountability in Your Life

You see, writer, though we can be tempted to go it alone, that is most often the place where we founder. You see, in God’s eyes, community and accountability are a nonnegotiables. Let me show you….

• • Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. – Proverbs 18:1
  • From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part. – Ephesians 4:16
  • And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrew 10:24-25
  • I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 1that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. – John 17:20-21

You see, writer, God Himself is an inherently communal being, and as those made in His image, so are we. But many of us, like I did at the start, tend to engage in relationships and community haphazardly and accidentally. In some cases, to see growth we desire, we need to take those things we’ve done haphazardly and—as God directs us—begin to be intentional.

Where to Start with Accountability

So are you ready to consider how to intentionally embrace community and accountability as part of your writing habit? Here are a few ideas to get you started…

1. 1. Close Relationships. One of the best places to begin growing community and accountability in your life is in the relationships already around you. Prayerfully review those God has strategically placed in your life right now. You see, writer, often time the things that keep us from writing have nothing to do with writing. And while we want accountability for our writing goals one of the most precious forms of accountability in life may not come directly from writers but from other close family members or spiritual mentors God has placed in your life.
   2. Writers Groups. Take some time to investigate local writers groups if you haven’t already. Often, groups will have speakers, brainstorming sessions, and critique opportunities that will not only grow your writing craft but begin to develop relationships with other writers.
   3. Online Communities. If you live in a small town or have trouble getting out, there are many online writing groups that host interactive online meetings, critique groups, and ongoing discussion threads via Zoom, Facebook and other platforms!
   4. Accountability Partners. Once you’ve reviewed those God has placed in your personal life as well as local and online opportunities to engage with fellow writers, Ask God to highlight those you are to walk with in this season. Write down the names that come to mind and begin, or ask if you can begin, to share intentionally with them about your writing goals and progress and to pray for their goals and needs, too. Because here’s the thing…

The life God gives to us flows through His word, His Spirit…both of which flow through His body. When one part is disconnected from the rest, the blood, oxygen, and nerve signals no longer travel to that body part. And if that part remains separate long enough it will become completely inanimate. It will no longer be able to fulfill its purpose. But here’s the lovely thing…

As we engage in community, not only does it infuse us with God’s wisdom, strength, and life, it multiplies that wisdom, strength, and life, too. Just like the Clapham group under-girded and informed Wilberforce’s efforts while laying a groundwork for change God called him to champion. Just like Peter’s walk was not only preserved and made fruitful but also multiplied through the body of Christ and now echoes through the ages in John Mark’s faithful record of Peter’s eye-witness accounts. Just like my ministry not only got unstuck but began to grow in impact. And here’s the real deal…

If you’ll notice, writer, when we prayerfully embrace community and accountability as God designed, not only does our strength and impact grow, but the expression of His glory in and through us grows too.

So I encourage you, today, if you’ve not engaged in intentional relationships or community, to make a plan and reach out to those God is highlighting in your life. Though community is not always easy, as we allow the Lord to lead us He uses both the steady support of others and even the upsets to strengthen and grow us and our message to reach people and places far beyond what you ever imagined.

#community #accountability #strength #glory #EveryWriterWriting