Some of you might think I can’t spell C.A.R.E.S. correctly. I didn’t follow the order. I began with C – Covenant Relationships, jumped ahead to E – Empowerment through Education, and circled back to R – Resilience and Renewal. Now I arrive at A – Accountability and Alignment: We keep our work true to our mission. I promise I can spell—but sometimes the Spirit of Spellcheck has other plans!

When we hear accountability, we often think of rules, reports, or someone checking up on us. In faith, accountability works differently. It keeps us honest about who we are and what we do. It reminds us that our choices and actions ripple outward, shaping the lives of those we serve.

Alignment walks hand in hand with accountability. Together, they guide us toward faithfulness rather than control. Picture a choir: each voice carries its own part, but harmony happens only when the voices align. Our mission gives us the song, and Christ conducts us into tune.

We stumble at times, but accountability calls us back to the score. Alignment pulls us to the center, and grace invites us to begin again.

Accountability means we check whether our actions reflect our mission. Alignment ensures we move in the same direction. Without them, even good work drifts off course.

In our churches and ministries, we live out accountability and alignment when we:

Review mission statements and values regularly.
Measure programs and spending against that mission.
Support each other in both progress and correction.
Receive redirection as growth rather than failure.

Accountability and alignment shape not only individuals but also the life of the Southwest Conference (SWC) and its local churches. (Side note: how many of you know the SWC mission statement—or even your church’s mission statement? If you don’t, take a moment to look it up, write it down, or even recite it out loud. That simple act keeps us accountable and reminds us what we align ourselves to.)

The SWC mission statement declares that we are “extravagantly welcoming and affirming followers of Christ called to embody God’s unconditional justice and love.” That statement gives us direction. It tells us who we are and what we must align our work to reflect.

When local churches measure their ministries against this calling, they strengthen their congregations and the conference. When the SWC lives into its mission with integrity, it equips churches to build trust with members and to witness boldly in their communities.

The ripple effect matters: what we choose to do in committee meetings, worship planning, outreach ministries, and financial decisions directly shapes how our communities experience the presence of Christ among us. Accountability ensures we keep that focus. Alignment ensures we all move toward the same call: to love God and serve our neighbors.

So let’s keep asking: Does this honor our mission? Does this serve God and neighbor? A “yes” tells us we stand aligned. A “no” offers us a holy chance to realign.

Next week, we will finish the word with S – Spiritual Formation and Service. Even though I’ve gone out of order, God always brings us back into alignment.