Think Tank

Intelligence is one of those topics that is almost impossible to handle sans offending someone.  Therefore, I'm sorry in advance.

Samson Society demands men to be authentic.  I would argue, regarding most individuals, that it takes more intellect to be transparent than otherwise.  Most importantly, you've got to manage / harness your feelings in order to speak intelligently regarding your authentic self.  All manner of feelings.  From one end of the spectrum to the other.  It seems to me that it's higher brain (executive) function that must be utilized in this regard, unless of course, it's not available to do the work.  Otherwise, you're left to rely on what I'll dub here as the "personality veil", and this reeks of anything but authenticity.

Of secondary importance is one's ability via their intellect to articulate who exactly they are to everyone in attendance.  I say it's of secondary importance because over time, with enough meetings under a guy's belt, that true persona is going to be clearly seen.  It's inevitable.  Of course, unless you're dealing with a pathological liar, but let's just assume that isn't the case. 

Now, here's an overarching truth.  Faith is a gift of God.  And Christiandom is built on the notion of having faith as of a little child.  Therefore, worship and prayer and even Bible teaching / study can occur seamlessly, so long as there is faith.

But, Samson Society (both meetings and "The Path" friendships) demands more of us than faith.  

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Hiding behind a "personality veil" is akin to "going through the motions".  I think everyone can relate to that phrase, but I feel as if I need to expound on it here.

When I worked the enjoyable six years for the state of Mississippi, I kept my head down constantly.  Rarely did I relinquish this "personality veil" modus operandi, and frankly, I believe this was detrimental to my livelihood during my tenure there.  Because the job literally fell into my lap, I felt extremely blessed to have the opportunity.  Therefore, not wanting to risk complicating matters in any regard, I simply smiled at the camera, day after day.  And it was easy to fall in line in this regard.  For many of my fellow bureaucrats behaved exactly the same way.

Eventually, this grew old for I couldn't help but remember what employment was like within the private sector (where there was actually some overarching corporate goal).  Particularly as the Lord allowed men into my life who were reliant on me being my authentic self whilst spending time together (friendships that came to fruition outside of work).  

When I took the job at Delta State in 2012 (a position which was a natural vocational progression for me), I was on the fence relative to how much of my presented self should then be cloaked in this "personality veil", and over time, during that yearlong endeavor, I definitely began to rely on it less and less.  But of course, all of this rich maturation came to a screeching halt when I unexpectedly was fired from this position.

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One of the reasons Angie and I worship at Lakeside Presbyterian Church is due to the fact that it's a reformed church.  And reformed churches tend to draw Christians in who're less interested in notoriety relative to church attendance and more interested in sanctification (spiritual growth).  

Lakeside is a difficult church to only put one foot into because no one component of the experience is going to suffice.  Plus, it's small scale provides few, if any, places to "keep to the shadows".  

Therefore, most parishioners of this body of Christ are all in.  And as such, they're well served by their intellect as they participate.  

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In closing, if you're drawn to communal experience with other Christian men who've the brains to match their courage (in participating), invest in Samson Society.  

What you'll find is it's impossible to look down on those who choose not to take part due to the purpose imbued within the Society itself.  

Therefore, I consider it to be a win-win.  Not at all a waste of time / resources.