Community on the Field
Community on the Field
community |kuh-myoo-ni-tee| noun, plural communities.
1 : a unified body of individuals: as
a : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location
b : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
This season I again had the opportunity to spend time hunting with my son, Noah and several other families. Actually, we were provided this opportunity on multiple occasions. Both were father and son hunts sponsored by Legacy Outfitters. In the beginning, these hunts were primarily affordable hunting trips for our family. But as time has passed and we have experienced several of these trips, I have come to learn the real value for me is spending quality time in community and fellowship with other like-minded fathers and sons.
If you are like me, “community” and “men hunting” do not seem like an ideal combination. Communication is a key component to quality fellowship and community. For men, communication in that type of setting is usually limited to hunting and fishing success stories or possibly football scores, but I have truly enjoyed walking with and learning from other men. This may be sitting in a stand or sitting around a campfire. All it takes is a willingness to engage, share, listen and encourage. I have really enjoyed learning the histories, challenges and success stories shared by the other fathers. Every story is unique to their individual journey but always seems to contain a nugget of wisdom I can learn from and store away for future use. I also enjoy the chance to gather with other families away from the normal pressures of business and responsibilities around the house. No basketball games, spreadsheets or constantly ringing phones, just time to unwind and enjoy.
The fathers I have hunted with this season come from diverse backgrounds. Different jobs, different experiences, different incomes but beyond all the differences there is a core desire of all of these men to be godly fathers, husbands and Christ followers. We also share the desire for our sons to experience success in the field.
The most memorable experience came from several of the fathers sitting around the table after dinner sharing their stories. These were not stories of professional success. Instead, they were stories about how God had worked in their lives. We all have faith journeys but they do not always have the same path or the deep valleys. Several of the stories were great examples of God’s restoration and faithfulness to bring us from a point of despair to the fullness of joy. Everyone felt the pain and everyone celebrated the how God redeemed. It was a great moment in time when a diverse group of men had a common shared connection. These shared times give us all an opportunity to encourage, support and affirm both the individuals and the work God has done in their lives.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says “ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
I love the challenge to “stir up one another”. It inserts action into our otherwise passive efforts to encourage others. It provides us an opportunity to engage others. This encouragement and engagement is not limited to the fathers but also exists with the boys. Community with the boys starts as they are collectively sighting in their rifles and proving their proficiency with the guides. Boys begin celebrating success and comforting failures both verbally and physically. For the men it is just an anxious look and a head nod.
Community continues to build as the boys get to know one another and have time to play and interact during meals and between sessions. It peaks when they return to the lodge after hunting. With each outing the celebrating and comforting comes back into view. The men know there are no guarantees, but the boys always struggle when they are the one that comes home empty handed. It is always exciting to see successful hunters encouraging the ones that missed the shot, as well as the unsuccessful hunters celebrating with their friends that had a better day in the field. For the boys it is really a shared experience, struggle and challenge that provide the bond of community.
When these weekends began we were either just acquaintances or even complete strangers with common interests and goals. By the end we were friends with shared experiences.
Special thanks to Jesse, Nathan and Max at Stillwater Refuge. Special thanks to Bill Dudark, Tom Dudark and Keith Bedenbaugh at Thunderhead Whitetails. Thanks Jeff Fritscher and Hunter Fritscher at Legacy Outfitters. All of you provided Noah and myself with an amazing opportunity to hunt and experience Christ-like community with other fathers and sons.