I do believe in alignment and accountability. The Bible teaches alignment, which is the concept of coming alongside, but not over, others.
Alignment is also a Biblical word. It’s used several times in the New Testament. “For the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, …” (Eph. 4:12).
This word equipping is “katartizo” in the Greek and it means “alignment or to put a thing in its proper position”. The purpose of the five-fold ministry is to align you or position you for the work of the ministry. Alignment increases your authority to function in Christ’s kingdom.
When we are aligned properly, several truths emerge:
1. Relationship abounds with those with whom we are aligned.
2. Authority goes off the charts: “Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. For if they fall, then one will help up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has no one to help him up. Also if two lie down together, then they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm by himself? And if someone might overpower another by himself, two together can withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:9-12, MEV).
3. Accountability sharpens our lives and keeps us out of error. Accountability is a Biblical concept and much needed in the church today. Accountability produces sons and daughters. Lack of accountability produces Ishmaels in your life. Ishmael was the illegitimate son of Abraham. He was a son of the flesh not a son of promise. This son of the flesh came about because Abraham and Sarah refused to be accountable to God. (see Gal. 4:22-31). Accountability is voluntary. Acting with accountability, or the lack of, reveals the issues of our heart.
4. Godly counsel from those we submit to can keep us moving forward in the Lord. I cherish the counsel I receive from those I submit to. They have brought into my life: prophetic words, direction, instruction, affirmation, godly counsel, friendship and correction. Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14, MEV).
Ken Malone is an ordained minister and the founder of Forerunner School and Ministry in Champions Gate, Florida. He serves on the board of Dutch Sheets Ministries and is the apostolic coordinator for the Florida Alliance for Reformation, which is a part of the United States Alliance for Reformation.
