So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:12
“Whoever, after this true confession and this condemnation of heretics, separates himself from the Church, as though our piety consisted only in names and expressions, has to give account, for himself and for those led astray by him, on the day of judgment, to the great God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553) in “The Second Imperial Edict against the Three Chapters” in History of the Councils of the Church, Volume 4; by Charles Joseph Hefele, 278.
Again, at the Second Council of Constantinople, the main work of this council was to confirm the condemnation issued by edict in 551 by the Emperor Justinian against the Three Chapters (or three heretical groups).
1. Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325)
2. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
3. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680)
7. Second Council of Nicaea (A.D. 787)
Notice the mural in the header photo I shot in the cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv of this council. Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople sits presiding over the council which seemed to clean up messes.
Today’s post highlights another mess. The council proclaims that those who have led others astray and separated from the church will have to give an account to God. Are you prepared to give an account to God?
This gets to the heart of the purpose of GTP: “In obedient service to Jesus Christ, GTP multiplies faithful stewards and mobilizes peer accountability groups to built trust and grow local giving to God’s work.”
In my 2023 IAC paper, I defined “peer accountability” as “God’s servants sharing the responsibility of reflecting consistent, God-honoring standards in ministry administration and governance with verified compliance.”
Reply if you want a copy of the paper. Therein, I gave a biblical argument for following standards and affixing a seal to confirm compliance with examples from Nehemiah and Paul. This prepares us to give an account.
There’s a key idea linked to not being prepared in this post. It gets to the heart of the “peer” part of “peer accountability.” If we are not helping each other stay on track, we can often unknowingly, lead others astray.
If you work at a church or ministry in USA and want to pursue ECFA accreditation, I can help waive the $500 application fee. If you live abroad I can help you set up or join the peer accountability group where you live.
And if this helps you see why the work of GTP is so important and you want to help the peer accountability groups get going in countries like Bolivia, India, Guatemala, and Indonesia, let me suggest this giving opportunity.
Click here to give in support of the groups coming together in these four countries. We are raising funds for $10,000 capacity building grants for these four countries.
Here’s the remaining need: $6,286 (Guatemala), $10,000 (Bolivia), $9,950 (India), and $7,982 (Indonesia). At this time, these local workers are raising local funds. When they hit $10,000 we want to send them a match from GTP.
Imagine, with your gift, you can help strengthen peer accountability groups in places that have been riddled with corruption. Join us in shaping the future of ministry in hard places.
Work with GTP to help God’s servants clean up messes like these councils did.