The 2022 National Samson Society retreat is weekend after next in Eva, TN at a Methodist Church conference center. It's been at this venue for a number of years, and before that, it was at Middle TN state parks (for a couple of years). The state parks were surprisingly more comfortable facilities (as compared to state parks in MS), but weren't as well suited to our populace. Specifically, those men who've gained legal status as "Sex Offenders" (a sex offender must keep his physical distance from facilities where children might be residing).
I've attended 5 or 6 National Samson Society retreats over the years, but this one I'm feeling most anticipatory for.
Firstly, I'm traveling with my Silas via his practically brand-new Subaru. Now, last year I also rode in a Subie to the retreat, but I wasn't with my Silas. Part of the significance of this year's trip for me is alone time with the man. He's only been involved in Samson since April of this year, and I can't wait to travel with him to (his first ever) the retreat. Of note too is that my Silas is an old friend. I befriended him when he was in his early 30s (I was in my mid-30s) at Lakeside Pres Church.
Secondly, I've been attending a virtual Samson Society meeting - "Make Thursdays Great Again" - since December of last year. Mr. Justin Schwind facilitates this virtual meeting. I'd met Justin at the National Retreat years ago. This meeting is attended by +/-30 men every Thursday evening at 7 PM CST. My aforementioned Silas was ushered into this same group in April.
Taking into consideration the number of these MTGA virtual Samson guys who'll too be at the retreat, it's going to no doubt feel like a reunion / homecoming.
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This past week I was reminded of the length of time that's past since I've consumed Internet porn. And when I say consumed, I'm talking about a sizable consuming (over 20 minutes). Interestingly enough, that date was one Friday night during mid-October of last year. The very next day, Saturday, was when I attended my last in-person Samson Society meeting here in the Jackson Metro. From there, I attended the 2021 National Samson Society retreat a few weeks later before jumping into the aforementioned virtual meeting (MTGA) in December.
One of the key components of my continued commitment to Samson Society (as well as my own recovery) is tied to my experiences at the National Retreats. For each stands out in my mind as a placeholder as the years have passed. It's important to note that attending the retreats has taken a lot of effort and courage of every man that's made it a priority. As such, these Samson guys represent the creme de la creme, and that's always been apparent to me each year that I attend.
As a sidenote, our church, Lakeside Pres, has never attempted to cater / minister to younger / middle-aged men specifically (other than weeklong annual foreign mission trips), but interestingly enough, this fall they'll be hosting their first ever men's dinner. And, it happens to be scheduled for week after next (just a few days before the 2022 National Retreat). Our pastor has been touting this dinner from the pulpit, practically pleading with men to sign up to this newfangled happening.
Throughout my life here in the Jackson Metro, I've been hard pressed to find church-centric men's ministries that were taken seriously / effectual. I've attended a number of church-organized / sponsored men's conferences, a handful of retreats, etc., but none have "hooked" me in like Samson Society.
I believe that has more to do with my wiring as Rob more than anything else, but too, I believe, being here in Mississippi has an awful lot to do with it.
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The men I rub shoulders with at church are far more successful / credentialed than your typical impoverished, uneducated Mississippi man, and this is particularly the case now that we're Presbyterian (the Christian graduate degree denomination). As such, these men no doubt find so much of their identity encased within this elevated ruse. Motivating these deacons / elders / parishioners then to actually minister to each other, versus simply going about their mundane churchgoing routine, I find, comes off oftentimes as beneath them to even consider. For it would require them to step off of their pedestals and serve from their hearts, and this simply doesn't compute (comprehend) for the majority of men within the church (at least the one we attend).
Instead, they'd rather sit back and "pray for" those who're hurting or simply observe the personal fallout suspectingly.
In fact, throughout the years we've attended Lakeside Pres, very rarely have I heard our pastor preach about what ministering amongst each other(s) actually should look like or why it's even important. And that's simply because he has few ideas, having not experienced it / participated therein all that much for himself.
And most pastors / elders / deacons are in the exact same boat.
And not because they're not curious as to the concept of ministering. No, not at all.
The root of their uninterest lies beneath all of that. I like to call it posturing (a mainstay for us men).
Posturing doesn't exist within Samson Society. At least that I've been witness to. Instead, it's a horizontal ministry through and through. And therein lies the problem for a lot of committed, church-going Christian men. That absence of hierarchy simply terrifies / confuses them. For you lose an awful lot of your default identity whilst within a horizontal community.
I heard my hero, Mr. Nate Larkin, say on the latest "Pirate Monk Podcast" that it's best to "lead with weakness". I love that, but unfortunately, you'll likely never see it within the local church.
And that, my friends, is why men's ministry that's an offshoot of the church is rarely as effective as a standalone ministry like Samson Society. Therein (local church), true weakness, confessed openly by parishioners, is often like pissing into the wind. Yes, your bladder is empty afterward, but from there, you're having to contend with the fact that all of that inner pressure relief is now dripping off your neatly pressed church clothes. Making for one smelly, humiliated brother in Christ.
Thanks be to God for Samson Society. Come relieve yourself with us. Start by signing up for the 2022 National Retreat today.
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