OTR – Nate Larkin
Nate Larkin is the author of a book that I recently read, and loved, called Samson and the Pirate Monks. It is a call for men to enter authentic brotherhood together. Nate’s own story is fascinating (he realized he was a sex addict while he was a pastor) and he tells it with such honesty and passion. I would recommend this book to all guys out there that are reading this (and I’ve been told by a trustworthy source, who happens to be a woman, that women can also get a lot out of this book). Nate has started the Samson Society, which has blossomed up all over the place and creates an environment for guys to connect.
Jeremy: Tell us something odd/unique about you.
Nate: The older I get, the more I like hats. My wife says it’s a sign of dementia, and I’m beginning to think she might be right.
Jeremy: Do you think people are born leaders or develop into leaders?
Nate: I think God gives each of us at least one leadership-related skill, and under certain circumstances our leadership is needed. Unfortunately, the systemic insanity of this fallen world causes a few of us to conclude that we are omnipotent, and the rest of us to lapse into passivity.
Jeremy: How can people put themselves into a position to influence culture?
Nate: Show up in the culture as a friend, not a critic. Love people. Appreciate beauty. Commit to excellence. Serve others well, regardless of their religious pedigree.
Jeremy: Why are you a follower of Jesus Christ?
Nate: It feels like Jesus keeps tracking me down. I follow him, but poorly. Most of the time He follows me. Sometimes I wish he’d leave me alone.
Jeremy: What do you do personally to fuel your spiritual life?
Nate: Some people thrive on solitude, but I tend to daydream (or worse) when I’m alone. What really fuels my spiritual life is getting together with other Christian guys and telling the truth about my life.
Jeremy: What is your hope for the future of the Church in America?
Nate: I’m encouraged by the declining political power of the Church, and the disinterest that younger believers are showing in seizing control of society for Christ. Jesus himself refused to seek or accept political control during his earthly ministry, choosing instead to launch a revolution of a radically different kind. In some parts of the American church, at least, I think the revolution is getting back on track.
Jeremy: Should we abandon the use of the word “Christian” for a better term? If so, what?
Nate: Changing our name feels like a superficial solution to me — kind of like a floundering restaurant deciding to change its name but not its menu. Christians certainly have a serious PR problem, but I think the better way for us to tackle it is to: 1) admit that it’s mostly our own fault, and 2) starting acting more like Christ and less like the Taliban.
Jeremy: What blogs/websites do you regularly check?
Nate: Only yours. (wink wink)
Jeremy: Which books have shaped your thinking?
Nate: Mmmmm. I’m always reading, and my thinking is always in flux. Looking back, the books that stand out at this moment are: The Pursuit of Excellence (Peters and Waterman) Compassion and Self-Hate (Rubin), The Road Less Traveled (Peck), Les Miserables (Hugo), The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (Wilson), Blue Like Jazz (Miller), Memoir from Antproof Case (Helprin), and The Safest Place on Earth (Crabb).
Jeremy: What music moves you?
Nate: I’m a fan of old-school country: Cash, Kristofferson, Willie, and Tom T. Hall.
Jeremy: Any other thoughts or advice?
Nate: I think it’s time for me to meet a guy for coffee.
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Tags: Off the Record, Reading
July 9th, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Wow. When I used to attend AA meetings, someone would share about themselves. There would always be a comment, something like this, “hey man, you are sharing my story.” I can identify with St. Nate so well. Although I never was a pillar in the church, I had Sunday Greg and week long Greg. I am glad that cycle is beginning to go away as I try to be just greg, the seeker all week. I agree with Nate that, as Christians, we should not change our name, but maybe our menu. Rick Warren mentioned in the Shaping Your World View series with Chuck Colson that perhaps the first thing out of our mouths when witnessing is an apology. Thank you, as always, for introducing me to this man and his purpose for living. May we all find our own purpose.
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July 9th, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Finally you get someone on here with GREAT musical tastes.
Danny´s last blog… Still Amazed
July 9th, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Haha, I’m choosing not to hold that against him!
July 10th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I think this my favorite interveiw so far. His answer to why he is a follower of Christ is the best.
July 11th, 2009 at 10:05 AM
This is one of my favorite interviews as well. It’s so refreshing to hear a person, a pastor even, be this real and authentic. Thanks for sharing this!
July 12th, 2009 at 4:33 PM
I agree, Jared. I am not sure I would want to call it a society, but I would be open to being apart of such a gathering as the samsons.
Greg M´s last blog… So Long, Eli
July 13th, 2009 at 1:39 AM
Yes, yes a fantastic book and a powerful testimony!! So excited you discovered Nate Larkin’s book “Samson and the Pirate Monks”!! Eventhough I happen to be female, Nate’s authenticity and writing style resonated with me. He’s an excellent story-teller and I really appreciated his brutal, bare bones honesty which in turn encouraged and convicted me to examine my own life with that same degree of honesty. Nate reminds us that our journeys don’t have to be traveled alone in isolation, self-rejection or a fake-it-till-you-make-it type hypocrisy. It reminds us of the importance in hearing other’s stories and the sharing of our own because as people in Christ our stories do intertwine. Overall I just learned so much about myself and about God from this “guys” book!! The beauty of this book is that you don’t have to be male and a porn addict to read it. I’ve gotten several female friends to read it and they were just as blown away by the book. Honestly, I think it’s for anyone that struggles and stumbles in their walk, but has the willingness to openly examine their own lives. It’s not just a story…it’s an invitation to live life in community, the brokeness and beauty with one another which to me is the epitomy of community.
I so enjoyed this interview, by far one of my favs!! I particularly appreciated Nate’s response about whether we should abandon the use of “Christian”….”Changing our name feels like a superficial solution to me — kind of like a floundering restaurant deciding to change its name but not its menu.”
His answers to these other 2 questions also were spot on and spoke to me:
How can people put themselves into a position to influence culture?
Nate: Show up in the culture as a friend, not a critic. Love people. Appreciate beauty. Commit to excellence. Serve others well, regardless of their religious pedigree. (BINGO!!)
Jeremy: Why are you a follower of Jesus Christ?
Nate: It feels like Jesus keeps tracking me down. I follow him, but poorly. Most of the time He follows me. Sometimes I wish he’d leave me alone. (Very truthful answer and how well I can relate!)
Thanks again, Jeremy for another terrific OTR!!
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July 15th, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I appreciate Nate’s thoughts on the whole “being fueled through community” thing. I feel the same way most times (and find most others do as well), but think it’s quite perplexing that it’s one of the hardest things for any of us to actually make happen sometimes. Busyness is a true killer, not just of our physical life, but our spiritual as well.
Additionally I been wondering a lot lately, is it contradictory to our directive as Christians to spend as much time together (fueling) as we do? Or is it just simply Christian’s getting healthy maybe? Is there a line? If so I’m wondering where it should be drawn. Hm…
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July 21st, 2009 at 9:28 AM
God’s timing is very interesting. I have been reading in Horner’s 10 List. I came to the part in II Cornithians about we are new creations in Christ. that was always a stumbling block for Nate Larkin, and me. Then I turn over to Judges and read about the early life of Samson. What a hero. Then I am reading Samson and the Pirate Monks and both passages come together. God’s timing, what a country. Now if I can just figure out His timing in me finding a job.
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