The third aspect of being a leader with character is to be authentic. Authenticity is essential with relationships in ministry as a leader. As a leader in Christian ministry, being authentic to people is the only way to successfully show Christ’s character. A Christian leader must build relationships by being real to understand and minister to people. In Webster’s dictionary it describes authenticity as, “the quality or state of being authentic; reliability; genuineness." Jeremiah exemplified the heart of authenticity. Jeremiah was authentic to God with his struggles and hard times, and God in turn was authentic to him. In Lamentations 3:22b-24 he wrote, “For your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” When things are not going the way we expect in ministry, it is good to follow Jeremiah’s example and realize that we are human and to learn to let God heal the hurt in your life.

The key to understanding authenticity is to learn to stick with the calling God has placed on your life, and not waver from following Christ. Leaders at times do not want to show any signs of weakness, but Paul explains the attitude we must have in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

When we are authentic with God, then it frees us up to be real with people.