A 2009 intern sent me a copy of the Honor Academy accountability card. Although the accountability system seems to change slightly from year to year, the basic idea is a checklist that each intern fills out weekly to assess if they have complied with the requirements of the Honor Academy. Depending on how many requirements they miss, there are various levels of punishment. Here are a few of the items on the list:
I had my quiet time today.
I read my Bible reading plan.
I was prepared for class.
I exercised 4 times (this week).
Disturbingly, some interns have reported that they were repeatedly told that a 59 minute quiet time did NOT count – it must be a full 60 minutes. Requiring someone to spend time with God is legalistic enough, but dictating the exact amount of minutes required takes it to a whole new level of ludicrous.
Here is a sample form (from 2009) that I have filled out. I’m not sure what level of punishment this poor intern would receieve, maybe a dish duty or “extra training.”
Now, I’m certainly not against a program with requirements. The worlds of education, business, military and sports are full of requirements you must meet in order to succeed.
But this is NOT the world.
This is God’s kingdom. Things are upside down here. We don’t succeed because of what we do – 60 minute quiet times, recruiting kids to go to ATFs, starting ministries, etc. We succeed because of what He has done.
All of our bets are on Him. As Paul said, “we put no confidence in the flesh.” In fact, if you read the context, he is talking about not putting stock in our spiritual performance!
If the HA really wanted to have a Biblical Accountability Card, you could just hand this in every week:
