One of the ways to get plugged into community with other men is to simply talk. On Thursdays here at the building, there is a weekly meeting of the Samson Society. Samson is a way for men to get together and discuss the issues that we as men face today and how we are walking in those situations and how we can help each other in that common journey. This is a time to come and just talk, and listen.
There is a meeting after the meeting at Mazatlan Mexican Resturant from 8 until whenever you decide to leave. The after meeting times are every bit as important as the structured meeting times. At the AFTER meeting, we can sit and talk, laugh, tell our stories, and get to REALLY know each other, and develop relationships with other men that we can count on and call on daily.
One of the tenets of the Samson Society is the requirement for STRICTEST CONFIDENCE. Everything said in a meeting, stays in the meeting. No wives are authorized to know the details of our conversations in a meeting. Anything you share can and WILL BE held in that strictest confidence. We hold very tightly to that and it is VITAL that you understand that if you come, you can be fully present, and you can fully share whatever the Lord leads you to share. We all have a story to tell. All of us have successes and failures in our past lives, some in our current lives. These are the stories that grow us individually and as brothers in Christ.
Another tenet of the Samson Society is the idea of a Silas. A Silas relationship is a big part of what we do in this group. A Silas is a traveling companion. Someone we walk with, DAILY, in order to remain on the path that God has set us on. A Silas is more than an accountability partner. An accountability partner is too easy to lie to. When you walk in community with another brother, you share you story, in honesty, speaking out of your own experiences and trust him to listen in love, without judgement. Paul always had a traveling companion on his missionary journeys, he never went anywhere alone. Even Jesus walked with someone, never being alone, except to pray. (And when he was driven to the desert to be tempted) If our Lord and Savior had men in His life to walk with, shouldn't we? I believe it's a supreme example that isolation doesn't work. I have been a part of Samson for two years now. I have lived in isolation most of my life. Closed up, shamed, superficial, everything always being "fine" when someone asked. When a Silas asks you how you are doing, he will probably slap you if you say the word "fine" (kidding), because he REALLY wants to know EXACTLY how you are and refuses to let you off the hook with a token answer. What he is trying to do is help keep you present. Present for yourself, present for your wife/girlfriend, present for your kids, present in your job, present for the people who really need you to be present. Silas relationships aren't set in stone forever. They vary in length of time, based on constant evaluation of the two men who are in this relationship. It's not something where someone gets their feelings hurt if they ask to be out of a Silas relationship. He might feel as though it is time to move on and get a new Silas, based on a new chapter of his life. Some Silas relationships might be forever. Again, it's up the two who decide to enter that relationship.
Meetings are exactly one hour in length, we all meet together at the begining for a few minutes to pray and read scripture, talk about the Fact and the Path (see www.samsonsociety.org), and choose the topic of discussion for the evening and then break into groups of three or four, depending on how many show up. There is NO CROSS TALK during a meeting. When a man speaks, it is his turn to talk and no one else's. We are there to listen until it's our time to speak. The after meeting is a perfect time to delve more into what a guy said in a meeting, as long as he is comfortable talking about it at that time.
So why do we meet? What brings us to Samson meetings? It differs for everyone, but the following are many reasons why men desire this community. Addictions (of all types, drug, alcohol, sexual), isolation has gotten old, marriage failure, dealing with death, shame, community, brotherhood, wanting to be known. Ultimately, we meet because we know we can't DO life by ourselves. There are some things we just can't and shouldn't expect women to understand. Brotherhood, study, self-examination and prayer are the only ways we can get through this.
I really hope you guys will consider attending Samson meetings. The only thing I ask is that if you decide to come, come at least 3 or 4 times before you totally decide whether or not it's for you. Just give it a fair chance if you decide to attend. There are several guys listed on this page that you can contact if you would like more information. I would encourage you talk to some of these guys and get their view. Don't just take my word for it. Ask guys who are attending. If your wives have questions, call Jeff McInturff and talk to him and have your wives get in touch with Jeff's wife, Christy. Jeannie Sandella, John Sandella's wife is another option, as well as Sheryl Thomas, BST's wife and Peyton Williford's wife as well.
7pm, room 205, Otter Creek. Hope to see you there.
Kyle
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