Watched

... they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.... - 3 John 6

For most of my ministry as a pastor, our family lived in a parsonage, also known as the "fishbowl." Due to the proximity of our house to the physical church building, we often felt like we were being watched. We literally lived "before the church" each and every day whether we wanted to or not.

Was this a bad thing? Often, we had to work to maintain our privacy, but most church members were very kind and gave us the space we needed. On the other hand, we were constantly reminded that we were required to do our best to live lives that were beyond reproach. It was a lot to ask of mature adults, but truly much more difficult for adolescents and teenagers. By God's grace, we survived those years.

I guess you might say that "to live is Christ," but to live is also "watched," because even if others aren't watching, God always is!

With power and responsibility must come accountability. A leader without accountability is an accident waiting to happen. - Albert Mohler