12 Accountability Questions for Leaders

Recently, Jim Burns and I were talking about some of the men and women we know who have flamed-out/crashed-and-burned/failed in ministry. Of those we know personally, it’s pretty easy to point to the fact that they don’t have real friends asking the tough questions. They were busy leaders who were doing ministry alone.

What about you? Do you have a person or people in your life who will ask you the tough questions so you don’t become isolated or the Emperor [leader] with no clothes?

We made a list of 12 accountability questions that we feel are core questions for leaders. As we develop teams and encourage community within ministry leaders, we’re wondering if these questions might have some power to trigger good, authentic conversations. We realize that accountability is only as good as the honesty it connects to—which is why we added #12.

Here’s our list:
1. Do you like the person you are becoming?
2. Is your heart for God shrinking or growing?
3. Are you giving your family only your emotional table scraps?
4. Have you done anything that compromised your integrity with the opposite sex?
5. Have you compromised your integrity with finances?
6. Is your character submitted to Christ?
7. Are you faithfully involved with worship and service?
8. Is your pace of life sustainable?
9. Have you allowed a person or circumstance to rob you of joy?
10. Are you taking care of your body through physical exercise, proper eating, and sleeping habits?
11. Have you been faithful to regular connections with Jesus?
12. Have you lied on any of your answers with me?