Being Authenic

The one goal I have always had in ministry was to be authentic. If you say something, let it be from the heart. If you tell someone you care, be someone that does care. Let your actions and your words work together. Don’t talk about acceptance and then not like others because they dress differently, talk differently, or live in an area that you consider to be not so great a community. In worship, be someone that is authentic in your actions. When the song says “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”, then be standing. When it says “Lift up Holy Hands” then do.
Being real is difficult in life, and maybe the most difficult place to be authentic and real could very well be in the church. The built up walls that individuals place between themselves and other people is certainly a hurdle to overcome, and then compounded with that wall, add an additional wall that one builds between God and themselves. Now that creates real obstacles that make authentic worship difficult.
The one element of being authentic I have yet to mention is probably where most find themselves. That would be the consideration that authentic worship is always happy. I mentioned standing and lifting hands and those actions would be considered positive, but what about crying, brokenness, and silence?
A great mistake in life is to believe that because someone is not happy, jolly, and full of spirit, something is wrong. Yet, on the other hand, if these same traits never enter your life, then there are issues—and something is wrong. Church is a difficult place to be authentic because many Christians are not true to the real walk of faith that includes times of trying and difficulty. I want to be the first to speak up and say that those experiences are not fun, but they are necessary for real Christian growth. I will go one step further and share that I have always believed the most difficult praise chorus to sing today in the church is, “Open My Eyes Lord”, especially that line that says, “Brokenness is what I long for”. I have always had a lump develop in my throat because those are simple words with very challenging theological implications.
Many on Sunday mornings say “hello” and expect the same thing back. A smile from one individual generates a smile back, and a small talk moment establishes a time of meaningless conversation about nothing, generally. Church should be, but normally isn’t, a place we go and share our difficult days. However, we don’t talk about the moments that almost break us. We are afraid of the judgment that many Christians dish out, so we just don’t share, with good reason. Being authentic in church is difficult, but it shouldn’t be.
Crying and being broken in our spirits should be a part of our Christian experience, especially if we believe Hell is a real place. After all, once you are in that location, there is no return. So should we not be broken? The unfortunate truth is many in church say they are concerned, but there is no way to measure that concern in their lives other then to say it cannot be measured, only assumed. It’s just concerned talk because no actions on their part can be seen or witnessed.
When was the last time you were in a silent service? A time where you simply read God’s word privately and were directed by a prepared script that gave guidance to hearing from the Holy Spirit? Some will respond and say that’s just not the way we worship. We preach and sing. Okay, but who was the last person you introduced to Jesus? How many lost people come visit your church every week and listen to the preaching and singing? Some will say church is for “saved” people, or church is for Christians to worship Jesus. Others will say church is designed to build up the church and the Kingdom of God. Well, that sounds really religious and nice, but is that what Jesus said? I agree church is to help build up and edify the body of Christ, but Jesus was all about lost people. Most churches have so many unwritten rules and policies; it is difficult for a lost person to feel at ease in most of our worship services. I can say that because there will be many Christians that say it’s difficult for them to be authentic, so just imagine how someone on the outside feels coming inside. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but most will take little or no action. Be authentic, love as Christ loved, and see what will happen in your church.

Until then