Here’s the problem. The Blue Lodge experience must be a holistic one, giving good and wholesome instruction not only to ancient craft Masonry but to include learnings found in all the organizations MW Cameron has mentioned. It must live the vision and values articulated by the great lights of our craft. And it must demonstrate all of this to outsiders as an enticement to explore Masonic membership. But alas, too many Lodges spend their time dithering over non-reports and minutiae that no one cares about. Instead, lodges need to look at the character of their membership and the character of the communities they serve. Much has been upended because of the pandemic. Now, with everything returning to what has been, opportunities abound. I’ve always promoted the idea that this is a great time for a community block party. Not only invite our appendant organizations but the community-at-large. Fun and teaching are not bad words. They are portals upon which we can build solid foundations for members and prospective members, no matter which organization interests them the most. Shame on us if we don’t live our values and vision.
Good Morning MW Brother Cameron & Brothers, MWB, your written observations are deep and well received. I will focus and limit to a small area. Men becoming Masons to be able to join other Masonic organizations, that is ok. My concerns are especially with Brothers that influence the Youth organizations. Here is where our most valuable future resource, our Children are in peril or fortunately Blessed. I believe in some cases Brothers that do not attend Blue Lodge cannot fully model or impart Master Mason tenants, experiences and or culture to our Youth. We need to watch our West Gate, but more especially those Brothers that have access and influence our Youth Organizations.
My friend and Instructor, Sensei Mack, strongly inculcated that when we left the Dojo, our bearing and behavior was a direct representation of himself and his Instruction. I believe how we act and meet in public, represent our current Grand Master, our WA Brethren and Masonry World Wide. This is my subjective observation and may be quite invalid. Thank you for letting me share and vent.
What a great post! I've seen this topic come up many times through the various Masonic Podcasts, blogs, and magazines I'm subscribed to. Often times the discuss is about membership numbers within the Blue Lodge, retention rates, budgets, and all of that. But I think those issues, and the theme of the article touches on, are more related expectations of what a Candidate (and the Brothers) expect from the Fraternity as a whole and the Lodge in particular.
I remember hearing that back in the 1950s and 1960s Freemasonry had a surge in members and that the AASR, York Rite, Shriners, and OES saw increases in members as well. There was a Masonic event to attend almost every night. It became a social club because that's what the members wanted it to be. Sure, there were those who saw deeper meaning in the symbols, the ancient work, the esoteric nature of our Craft, but...in the end...it became a social club that donated to local charities.
I also remember a talk from the Whence Came You Podcast (I can't remember the episode number) where the guest discussed the concept that Freemasonry (as a Blue Lodge) needs to find it's identity and cater to it. The Shrine knows its purpose, has their culture and identity in place, and is super successful at raising funds and meeting its members expectations. The Scottish Rite does this as well. The Blue Lodge seems to be in a quagmire though. There are some that join for the Mystery School Traditions, some for the notable charity work in the community, some for the Historical significance, and others because they have a family member who was a member. All of these are great reasons to join the Fraternity, but are we living up the expectation laid before us.
I think we can take a look at what these other Bodies are doing and see where we, in the Blue Lodge, can improve our experiences. We can look at new ways to use the lodges (dance party, poker night, meditation classes, or charity events). These are smart and prudent things to do regardless of how well things may or may not be going, but there is a critical part that needs to happen first...and it starts at the West Gate.
Ask the candidate why they are petition the fraternity. See if there are other motivations that are not on the surface (these may clue us into the other bodies that may be of interest). Find them a good mentor early in the process and make sure we are meeting their expectations (within reason of course).
Apologies for the long winded rant...looking forward to any comments.
I agree whole heartedly MWB!
Here’s the problem. The Blue Lodge experience must be a holistic one, giving good and wholesome instruction not only to ancient craft Masonry but to include learnings found in all the organizations MW Cameron has mentioned. It must live the vision and values articulated by the great lights of our craft. And it must demonstrate all of this to outsiders as an enticement to explore Masonic membership. But alas, too many Lodges spend their time dithering over non-reports and minutiae that no one cares about. Instead, lodges need to look at the character of their membership and the character of the communities they serve. Much has been upended because of the pandemic. Now, with everything returning to what has been, opportunities abound. I’ve always promoted the idea that this is a great time for a community block party. Not only invite our appendant organizations but the community-at-large. Fun and teaching are not bad words. They are portals upon which we can build solid foundations for members and prospective members, no matter which organization interests them the most. Shame on us if we don’t live our values and vision.
Good Morning MW Brother Cameron & Brothers, MWB, your written observations are deep and well received. I will focus and limit to a small area. Men becoming Masons to be able to join other Masonic organizations, that is ok. My concerns are especially with Brothers that influence the Youth organizations. Here is where our most valuable future resource, our Children are in peril or fortunately Blessed. I believe in some cases Brothers that do not attend Blue Lodge cannot fully model or impart Master Mason tenants, experiences and or culture to our Youth. We need to watch our West Gate, but more especially those Brothers that have access and influence our Youth Organizations.
My friend and Instructor, Sensei Mack, strongly inculcated that when we left the Dojo, our bearing and behavior was a direct representation of himself and his Instruction. I believe how we act and meet in public, represent our current Grand Master, our WA Brethren and Masonry World Wide. This is my subjective observation and may be quite invalid. Thank you for letting me share and vent.
What a great post! I've seen this topic come up many times through the various Masonic Podcasts, blogs, and magazines I'm subscribed to. Often times the discuss is about membership numbers within the Blue Lodge, retention rates, budgets, and all of that. But I think those issues, and the theme of the article touches on, are more related expectations of what a Candidate (and the Brothers) expect from the Fraternity as a whole and the Lodge in particular.
I remember hearing that back in the 1950s and 1960s Freemasonry had a surge in members and that the AASR, York Rite, Shriners, and OES saw increases in members as well. There was a Masonic event to attend almost every night. It became a social club because that's what the members wanted it to be. Sure, there were those who saw deeper meaning in the symbols, the ancient work, the esoteric nature of our Craft, but...in the end...it became a social club that donated to local charities.
I also remember a talk from the Whence Came You Podcast (I can't remember the episode number) where the guest discussed the concept that Freemasonry (as a Blue Lodge) needs to find it's identity and cater to it. The Shrine knows its purpose, has their culture and identity in place, and is super successful at raising funds and meeting its members expectations. The Scottish Rite does this as well. The Blue Lodge seems to be in a quagmire though. There are some that join for the Mystery School Traditions, some for the notable charity work in the community, some for the Historical significance, and others because they have a family member who was a member. All of these are great reasons to join the Fraternity, but are we living up the expectation laid before us.
I think we can take a look at what these other Bodies are doing and see where we, in the Blue Lodge, can improve our experiences. We can look at new ways to use the lodges (dance party, poker night, meditation classes, or charity events). These are smart and prudent things to do regardless of how well things may or may not be going, but there is a critical part that needs to happen first...and it starts at the West Gate.
Ask the candidate why they are petition the fraternity. See if there are other motivations that are not on the surface (these may clue us into the other bodies that may be of interest). Find them a good mentor early in the process and make sure we are meeting their expectations (within reason of course).
Apologies for the long winded rant...looking forward to any comments.
Cheers.