You can't help but notice the Samson Society ghosts. This is especially true during the Samson Summits (annual retreats). It's always jarring to me. Some of these MIA were absolutely on the forefront of promoting / carrying the recovery torch forward via their greater participation (especially considering their commitment to attend the Summits). In essence, they were the kind of guys that would easily have been considered standouts, and as such, none of them seemed at all bothered by their inclusion into this community.
And then they weren't included. At least within Samson Society (perhaps they went elsewhere).
It's sobering. Especially for someone who's been involved since August 2014, observing this ministry grow / become / mature ever since. Men are constantly moving in & out, in & out.
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Here in MS, so few Samson men dare step out from their in-person meeting (as opposed to the virtual), therefore I'm of the opinion that this fluidic reality (simply due to nil exposure to the community-at-large) takes longer to take hold. But give it enough time, and I believe it absolutely will. And when it does, it begs the question-
Therefore, what exactly drives the temporariness then of (admitting to) belonging to this community?
Stigma, of course.
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One of Satan's greatest tools is stigma. So, what is it?
It's a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.
I first witnessed this with my initial Silee, a disgraced music minister (he & I connected formally just a few months after I first stepped foot into Mr. Don Waller's in-person Samson meeting). This young man was so very handsome, gifted as a crooner / having catered to the rich, white Christians within his small-town MS protestant church. Until he was exposed / cast out in hopes of salvaging the reputation of his former employer.
Every meeting for this stud was marked with unavoidable stigma. Every. Meeting. And that was understandable to a certain degree.
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So, what about Rob? Where's his stigma?
I'm not exactly sure how to answer that question, but I believe it's been eradicated by two truths:
1. I love / benefit tremendously via marinating within the authentic company of Christian (or otherwise) men.
2. I love to serve men, especially distraught, needful men who desire a listening ear / open mind.
This means I'm a long-termer here within this community. So, what does that look like exactly?
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I host a Samson Society newcomers meeting + a standard format Samson meeting every week. These meetings buttress my weekends, and as such do me a great service in light of my weekends being particular opportunistic (to do stupid). I also pay fairly close attention to the Samson Community Chat section of the "Samson Community" app that's available via the iOS & Android app stores.
If you look at Samson Society resume, it's extensive. Nonetheless, this doesn't make me languish or even feel, in the slightest, that I'm a loser / defective. I truly see this community as my buried treasure that required me to then buy the field where the treasure resided.
It's like the space I've always been looking for.
A close second therein is the gym. Strength training sessions - week after week after week - also readily fill a massive need within my life.
Raw, authentic Christian masculinity is the flame. I'm the moth.
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