A Sportsman’s Club
Bob Hammond 

Community programs and events outside the home and the church are appealing to people these days.  Many choose to spend the whole weekend, including Sunday, on the lake or elsewhere.

Our church wanted to appeal to these members who were not active in the church program, and to active members too, so a sportsman’s club was organized.  The club had immediate appeal for many of our members.  They are used to urban living and the thoughts of an adventuresome outdoor activity such as a family camping trip or Saturday outing readily attracts them.

Through the club, church members are learning that Christian living is broader than just talking in Sunday school about how to live.  Through club activities members acquire lasting friendships and a fellowship that binds them closer to each other and to the church.  Homes are strengthened as families camp out, play, read God’s Word, and pray together.

How Did We Start?

1. We studied the needs of our people and sought an indication of a desire for this type of activity.
2. We publicized these findings, along with the purpose and possible program of such a club.
3. We called a meeting of interested persons and presented a program for their consideration.
4. The response was good, so we set about organizing the club.
5. Officers were elected and detailed planning done.By-laws were drawn up to cover purpose, membership requirements, dues, meetings, officer’s duties, and other essentials.
6. An alternative organizational structure could have a chairman in charge of the total program
7. He would appoint temporary committees as needed prior to forthcoming activities.)

Our club meets each month.  The meetings are used to conduct business and to enjoy special features.  At one meeting we viewed a film on hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.  Another time we had a demonstration on outdoor cooking.  Occasionally we use the meeting time to get ready for a forthcoming outing.

Our Experience 

We have found that this sportsman’s club idea is reaching people never before enlisted through other phases of our church recreation program.  Participation is enjoyable, and the values are lasting.

A highlight of our outings occurs when evening rolls and after a grand day of Christian fellowship together.  A tasty meal, cooked over an open fire, has just been enjoyed.  Everyone gathers around the campfire and silently listens to the sounds of nature.  An inspiring feeling of just being alive and a part of God’s big, marvelous world comes over each person.

Experiences such as this give us strength for an even more positive Christian witness in all our daily activities.  On one of our outings we chartered a boat for a sale water fishing trip.  Our club president shared his Christian testimony with the captain and his son.  The captain later commented on the close fellowship of the group and how impressed he was with the difference in behavior of our group compared to most other groups that chartered his boat.  Of course, this is the impression we want to leave with people.

 Our activities and attitudes must be Christ-centered or they have no real value.  We strive to balance the program with proper emphasis upon the spiritual, mental, social, and physical activities for everyone.  The club program is well planned and integrated into the total church effort.

Looking to the Future

            We hope to expand our program in the future to include a wider variety of activities in which the whole family can participate.  It could be that we will develop a weekly meeting just for the women.  It would include skeet shooting, archery, fishing, boating, water skiing, golf, and other related activities.

            We are studying the possibility of including many of these activities in our regular program:  nature hikes, cook-outs, family retreats, bait and fly casting contests, bird watching, nature crafts, sessions in fly tying, reloading of shotgun and rifle shells, archery, golf, skin and scuba diving, lifesaving, weather observation exploring the night sky, and even outdoor and animal photography.  The possibilities are unlimited with people interested in God’s out-of-doors.

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