Dear FCS Club,
Our newsletter editor and Mr. Do-it-all, Randy Rowley, asked me a number of years ago to write an article for the newsletter. I promptly accepted. However, I'm just now getting around to actually getting it done! (my apologies Randy). Rather than recounting my recollections of how this club was begun I decided to recount my reasons for why it was begun. Before I do that, I would like to say publicly that I'm very happy with the club's growth, its leadership, the variety of events it's involved in and the devotion so many have given to it. These things emphasize to me that God has truly had His Hand on it. We have members from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, ideas and personalities and yet we enjoy a close fellowship with one another. Although we may rub each other the wrong way from time to time and may not agree with each other all the time we still maintain a level of fellowship which cannot be found apart from Christ. Psalm 133:1 says "How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity." This is one of the main reasons this club was begun - To provide Christian brothers an opportunity to fellowship together in the context of hunting, fishing, camping, etc. As I said before, I'm happy with this club's growth which can be attributed largely to the unity that visitors see we have. One non-member remarked to me how powerful it was to see a group of men who were so different in many ways be able to overlook each other's faults and put up with irritations and forgive and continue to grow together. His statement made me very proud of you guys because I know some of the difficulty that has taken place over the years. I'm sure that there is still some things that need to be resolved between members (and I trust that they will be resolved over time as well), but what he saw was a group of guys getting along not because each was perfect but because each knew Jesus. His statement also made me very thankful to God for His work in all of our hearts because without Him it would not happen.
Another major reason this club was started was to break down the walls between who we are at the "hunting lease" and who we are at church. Too many times we think we have to put on a front around other Christians...especially at church. But that's not the case, God wants us to be consistent in our lives. "Religious" fronts promote pride and arrogance as well as inhibit real fellowship with God and our brothers in Christ. After the first couple outings as a club God had already helped many men to feel more comfortable around each other in both the "club" and church settings. New friendships were formed and a stability was brought into the Sunday School class that was not there before. I would encourage us to check ourselves regularly as to our consistency as Christian men. To me, this aspect of the club is it's most important. To promote consistency in our walks with Jesus initially through letting our hair down at a club function. Seeing other men who love the Lord be human and approachable around a card game or trivia game can really serve to encourage men to find a consistent place for Jesus in their lives. We can have a blast as Christians. We Should have a blast as Christians. God has forgiven us - offering us the childlike quality of being carefree.
These two qualities, being carefree, and having a clear conscience, are the two prerequisites for having real fun. We as men are able to combine the ability to have great fun with a deep commitment to our families and our other responsibilities we display the balance that is true Christianity. In closing, I want to say "Thank You" to so many of you guys for being involved in this club---for being real---for forgiving your brothers---for being ready to serve---for loving your families---for praying---for growing in Christ---and for sharing your lives with each other. I look forward to seeing what God does with, in, and through us in the future.
Sincerely Following,
Lee Tunnell, Founder B&P/FCS Club