Authenticity has its reasons Authenticity is simply being a person whose outward presentation matches reality. For too long many of us in ministry have labored under the ideal of what a pastor should look and act like. I'm not saying that, in the name of authenticity, pastors should share every defeat, every failing, and every struggle without discretion. Nor should pastors parade their woundedness before the church in a maudlin sort of way. Pastors should live so our congregation knows we too are sinners.
Authenticity is biblical .
Jesus modeled transparency in such things as his tears at the death of Lazarus and his fear the night before his crucifixion. Authenticity prevents hypocrisy . One great temptation of ministry is taking the assessment of others as the truth about our life. People often award us with a high level of spirituality when they have no idea whether we've had a quiet time in two weeks, treat our spouses with dignity, or avoid pornography when we go online. A commitment to authenticity helps us refuse the false image some project onto us.