“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16 (ESV)

This idea of confession and accountability calls for vulnerability—a willingness to be open and accountable to one another for our actions, words, and attitudes. Vulnerability does NOT come easy to men.

Accountability deepens our relationship with God, shaping us into the men He created us to be.

Here are four key reasons accountability is essential:

1 – To Be More Like Jesus

As Christian men, our ultimate goal is  to reflect the character of Jesus and to grow into the men God created us to be. Accountability is vital in this journey! When we allow other Christian men in to our lives to challenge us, encourage us and guide us, amazing growth will happen. Accountability partners and mentors act as a blind spot, identifying areas where we may be falling short.

2 – To Encourage One Another

Life is hard. Every man needs encouragement and wisdom from other men as we walk through the highs and lows of life. This mutual support equips us to navigate difficult seasons with strength and faith, as we persevere in our faith journey.

3 – To Strengthen Friendships

A lot of Christian men don’t have close friendships. Accountability builds trust and deepens relationships between Christian men. While vulnerability may go against the “tough” exterior many men project, it leads to authentic connections. Opening up to one another, especially during a hard season, builds strong friendships.

4 – To Take Ownership of Our Lives

Accountability helps Christian men take ownership of their actions and live lives that honor God. When men are held accountable by another man, they will succeed in the goals they put in place and ultimately continue to grow to be the man God called them to be.