Encouragement
It goes a very long way
On Social Media I encountered a sad story, from a newer and younger Mason.
In a nutshell, he wrote a paper about the Common Gavel, and asked to present that paper in his Lodge. The Master agreed.
But, then the problems began…
Some in the Lodge didn’t like the paper, and told this new Mason so. Apparently he was even asked to not do anything like that in the future.
He, in turn, on Social Media, reflected that based on this experience, Freemasonry wasn’t living up to its claims, and indeed seems to be nothing but an old folks home.
He was discussing quitting.
Let’s honestly ask ourselves, how is membership retention in our Lodge? How many of our EA’s actually become Master Masons? How many new Master Masons remain after five years? What percentage of our membership shows up on a consistent basis?
Unless your Lodge is one of a very rare and remarkable few, so rare that in my Jurisdiction I can count them all on one hand, you know that the answer to these questions is bad.
Failing Lodges aren’t in that situation because they don’t have potential Masons. They are failing because they can’t retain the Masons they make.
And that is sad, because we can do better.
One of the best, and let me say easiest, things we can do is simply encourage our younger Masons.
Want to present a paper in Lodge? Excellent, and we’ll all clap when you are done.
Want more social events in Lodge? Excellent, organize them and we’ll applaud your efforts.
Want to create a Masonic study group? Excellent, let us know what you need.
Want to make better meals? Excellent, we look forward to trying what you create.
I hate to admit it, and I don’t feel like it, but if I’m honest with myself, I have to admit that I’m one of the old guys in Freemasonry now. I may not fully understand what a 20 something Mason wants to do in Lodge. Even if I do, I might not feel the need to participate, or even the energy to do so. The Masonic experience I most value might be different from the experience most valued by our youngest EA.
All of that is OK.
Indeed, that is how it is supposed to work in our multi-generational Craft.
But it is my absolute responsibility to encourage that younger Mason. To encourage every step he takes on his own Masonic path.
As long as what he is doing doesn’t violate our Ancient Landmarks or our Masonic Code, it is my duty to encourage him.
And by encouraging him, I am ensuring a vibrant future for my Lodge.
I am ensuring that newer and younger members don’t think of it as an extension of an old folks home. I am allowing and encouraging those younger Masons to thrive, just as I was allowed and encouraged to thrive when I was one of those younger Masons with my own weird ideas.
Louis L’Amour on reading:
“…no man is free from the image his literature imposes upon him.”
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I do believe there is an entire generation or two that simply lost their way in the fraternity. This article points that out. While disgusting, it's also hopeful that there is a new generation of masons coming in demanding more than the same old shit of the past. I'd like to think that I'm part of that group. The key is to keep fighting to make the changes you think should be made for the betterment of the fraternity.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Younger, newer members should be encouraged as well as older, established members who may be willing to step out of their comfort zone and speak or present in lodge. Not knowing all the facts, and if the criticism of the younger Mason took place in lodge, but if it did, where was the WM during this? I believe that since he approved the presentation he should have put an end to the comments before they got to where they did.