au·then·tic refers to the truthfulness of origins, attributions, commitments, sincerity, devotion, and intentions.
Andrew Root in Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry
"Relational ministries should avoid the temptation to use relationships to influence people and instead see the mandate of the incarnation as the call to shared solidarity in common humanity."
Several years ago, I was working my near minumum-wage job, when hope appeared to me in a three-piece suit. This man approached me and struck up a conversation beyond the normal, "And, I'll take fries with that." I was immediatly struck with how he genuine and honest he was.
He asked me what my plans were in the future, and what I was doing at the present to get there. I tried to give my best shot at an intelligent response while attempting to figure out the answer to those questions myself. After what I'm sure was the stupidiest response he had ever heard, he handed me a business card and invited me to his house the following week for a meeting.
My excitement got me through the next week and I left for his house believing that my life was going to be radically changed. I showed up at his door nervous but with high expectations. I had my resume with me, and I was ready to sound much more intelligent than I had previously. His wife opened the door with a warm smile and she quickly shook my hand and led me into their large living room.
I was surprised to see that the room was full of young men and women who looked just like me. Not expecting so much competition for this job interview, I sized up the room and felt that I still had a chance.
The man soon made his appearance, trading in his slick suit for a more comfortable sweater. He quickly shook hands with each of us and asked us to find a seat. This time he felt cold and distant, and he seemed more interested in sharing what appeared to be some fancy presentation.
For the next 45 minutes, I listened in horror to a slick marketing scheme on how cheap junk could be sold for big profits, simply by becoming part of his sales team. For startup fees of only $145, I could start my own business, and even get my families members, for $145, to start their own business as well. The "interview" turned out to be a chessy pyramid-marketing scheme.
I left the house as soon as I could feeling ashamed that I'd fallen for this scheme, and embarrassed that I had believed that the man actually cared about me.
I'll never forget that encounter and the only good that came out that night was that today I have a heightened awareness of people like him.
It makes me wonder, if in all of our "win the lost at any cost", and "turn or burn" campaigns to "win our cities for Jesus", if we come across just like that man in a three-piece suit? Do we authentically care about people? And are we trying to develop authentic relationships with people not to win them, sell them, or advertise our churches, but because...we love them.
So it's time to put away the evangelism strategies and retire what Rob Bell describes as the "bullhorn guy". Being an authentic community will cause us to be real, raw, honest, and humble. Although a road less travelled, along the way I believe we'll encounter truth, justice, and life to the full.
Andrew Root in Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry
"Relational ministries should avoid the temptation to use relationships to influence people and instead see the mandate of the incarnation as the call to shared solidarity in common humanity."
Several years ago, I was working my near minumum-wage job, when hope appeared to me in a three-piece suit. This man approached me and struck up a conversation beyond the normal, "And, I'll take fries with that." I was immediatly struck with how he genuine and honest he was.
He asked me what my plans were in the future, and what I was doing at the present to get there. I tried to give my best shot at an intelligent response while attempting to figure out the answer to those questions myself. After what I'm sure was the stupidiest response he had ever heard, he handed me a business card and invited me to his house the following week for a meeting.
My excitement got me through the next week and I left for his house believing that my life was going to be radically changed. I showed up at his door nervous but with high expectations. I had my resume with me, and I was ready to sound much more intelligent than I had previously. His wife opened the door with a warm smile and she quickly shook my hand and led me into their large living room.
I was surprised to see that the room was full of young men and women who looked just like me. Not expecting so much competition for this job interview, I sized up the room and felt that I still had a chance.
The man soon made his appearance, trading in his slick suit for a more comfortable sweater. He quickly shook hands with each of us and asked us to find a seat. This time he felt cold and distant, and he seemed more interested in sharing what appeared to be some fancy presentation.
For the next 45 minutes, I listened in horror to a slick marketing scheme on how cheap junk could be sold for big profits, simply by becoming part of his sales team. For startup fees of only $145, I could start my own business, and even get my families members, for $145, to start their own business as well. The "interview" turned out to be a chessy pyramid-marketing scheme.
I left the house as soon as I could feeling ashamed that I'd fallen for this scheme, and embarrassed that I had believed that the man actually cared about me.
I'll never forget that encounter and the only good that came out that night was that today I have a heightened awareness of people like him.
It makes me wonder, if in all of our "win the lost at any cost", and "turn or burn" campaigns to "win our cities for Jesus", if we come across just like that man in a three-piece suit? Do we authentically care about people? And are we trying to develop authentic relationships with people not to win them, sell them, or advertise our churches, but because...we love them.
So it's time to put away the evangelism strategies and retire what Rob Bell describes as the "bullhorn guy". Being an authentic community will cause us to be real, raw, honest, and humble. Although a road less travelled, along the way I believe we'll encounter truth, justice, and life to the full.
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