Authentic Life

What is Authentic Life?

Authentic LIFE is a strategic, intentional process designed specifically for the purpose of connecting people with Christ, with one another, and with opportunities for serving where needs of ministry and passions and gifts for ministry match. It is comprised of four distinct phases: Legacy, Influence, Focus, and Effectiveness.

What is Legacy?

A legacy refers to something handed down from an ancestor; property bequeathed to another by will. It is synonymous with terms such as heritage, inheritance, birthright, foundation, and tradition.

Authentic Legacy provides an opportunity to get a grip on the basics concerning the legacy of those who follow Christ. Primary issues regarding the roots of this legacy and how it impacts present day followers of Christ are discussed (e.g., the Will of God, the Believer’s Identity in Christ, our Family Inheritance, etc.).

What is Influence?

Influence refers to the capacity of people to be a compelling force on, or produce effects on the actions, behaviors, and opinions of others. It is synonymous with terms such as impact, imprint, inspire, carry weight, sway, prompt, and lead.

Authentic Influence provides an opportunity to explore ways in which those who follow Christ are influenced by Him, and in turn, then influence the world in which they walk. It considers attributes regarding the heart of Christ (Service), the will of Christ (Submission), the mind of Christ (Honor), and the character of Christ (Commitment). In short, Authentic Influence discusses the attitudes with which we follow Christ as we serve those He gave his LIFE for.

What is Focus?

Focus is the state of maximum distinctness or clarity of an image (i.e., in focus; out of focus). Focus can also be referred to as a “condition” in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived (i.e., couldn’t get the problem into focus).

Authentic Focus, while not designed to take the place of the Holy Spirit’s role when it comes to discerning God’s will for our lives, is designed to help create “conditions” in which focus is the result. In short, Authentic Focus helps individuals to discover and more clearly understand the unique way in which God has “wired” them. In brief, this “wiring” is a person’s unique, divine design. This design is comprised of multiple components: spiritual gifts, temperament, natural abilities, talents, passions, etc. With a greater understanding regarding such components a person more clearly sees how the hand of God has indeed shaped his or her life for God’s greater purposes.

What is Effectiveness?

Effectiveness is the power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect.

Often, when it comes to walking with God, people can know the basics (i.e., Legacy), have a pure motive from which they serve (i.e., Influence), and even understand where it is that they fit in the body of Christ as it pertains to their spiritual gifts and divine design (i.e., Focus).

Nonetheless, when it comes to experiencing a quality of being able to bring about an effect (i.e., Effectiveness) upon the lives of others through ministry, too many find themselves lacking. Effectiveness is designed to pick up where Focus left off, and help individuals explore and discover what aspects of ministry appeal to them most, what type of assignment in ministry it is they are to carry out, what the picture looks like when their assignment is accomplished, and what practical steps can be taken as they do their part in working with God to accomplish the assignment He has given them.

Authentic LIFE is designed upon the premise that authentic ministry takes place where people are provided opportunities to serve according to their gifts and in areas of ministry where the needs of ministry match the gifts for ministry. Thus, when individuals know the basics of walking with Christ, are serving Him and others with an excellent attitude and from a pure heart, are functioning in ministries that match needs for which they have been designed, and they have practical steps they know they can take in order to cooperate with God to see His will accomplished, authentic life growth is the result.

How often are Authentic Life classes conducted?

Legacy meets every week (52 weeks per year). Influence meets every other month (6 times per year). Focus meets every 3 months (4 times per year). Effectiveness meets every 4 months (3 times per year).