The most successful Masonic Lodges need to involve their community in fundraising where community organizations share in the profits, like breakfasts and Spaghetti Dinners. Community persons will get inside the Lodge, and see what Lodge members share (petitions will develop)!
Undoubtedly if we hide our Light no one will truly understand that we exist, and that will certainly destroy any potential for growth that we might have otherwise had.
At the Lodge in my little City, our very best growth ever (in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality) came from weekend men's retreats at which Lodge members were encouraged to bring a friend or two who they felt would make great Masons. Our second best growth has come from community events in which the public was invited into our building.
I think that sometimes we tend to think that things like advertising can fix growth issues for us, but that seems misguided to me. We still have to do the hard work, on the ground.
I'm truly honored Sir that your brain was tickled enough to keep the conversation going. There's no greater joy for me as both a mason and an amateur "for my own therapy" writer than knowing conversation was inspired by something I shared, thank you for that.
The concept (Ark lodge) was actually foreign to me until recently. I learned it from a brother with more years in Masonry than I've been alive. He used it to mean basically what you'd expect: a lodge that demographically won't fall off a cliff in the next 15 years, with membership spread evenly across age groups, no debt, bills paid with some excess, and more than the stereotypical same five guys running everything. To be clear, it's not my term. I only included it because it was apropos to my topic.
When he called ours an "ark lodge," I smiled and thanked him for the vote of confidence, but we know how real life goes. One poison apple can kill a lodge's energy; likewise, one energetic, inspirational brother with good ideas can turn everything around. You can't change your destination overnight, but that brother CAN change direction. And if he sticks around to inspire a shared vision and put wind in the team's sails, the course can be maintained.
I think the concept is somewhat controversial, even divisive. There will be lodges of safe harbor that check the boxes. Their job is to help the fleet, partner with surrounding lodges, share ritual talent, and support events. But as Michigan faces losing 10,000 brothers this decade, some lodges will close through no fault of any brother. It's complex: our neighbor lodge lost 15 to death while raising 2, yet owns good property with rental income and healthy investments. They'll survive. Others in dying towns, with shrinking demographics, an hour from support, with buildings that are liabilities? Vegas would bet against them.
Despite my recent tone, I'm exceptionally optimistic for Masonry. It will survive, as it always has, leaner and better than ever. I have sworn to aide and assist every brother and I will. As my service song "Semper Paratus" says: whether to fight to save, or fight and die... we are for you.
You are undoubtedly right. One unsuitable man, Made a Mason, will drive men away from a Lodge, even a good Lodge, in droves. Indeed such a man can single handedly destroy a Lodge. I've seen it happen, and I imagine others have as well.
But, as you point out, it works the other way as well. A particularly energetic new Mason, with solid ideas and the ability to sell those ideas can really do a lot to turn a Lodge around.
I agree, the concept of an Ark Lodge could certainly be considered divisive, but, sometimes we must confront painful ideas if we are to make the changes needed to thrive in a bright future.
Lots to ponder here (see how I did that?). I know of several Lodges local to me which are on the bubble" and could go either way. The importance of this topic is that it can be a a harbinger of demise, or it could be the catalyst for a mindset shift towards Ark status. It's all in how the Lodge receives it.
Agreed, when I look at the Lodges I know fairly well, a small number clearly don't have what it will take to survive. Another small number certainly seem as if they are extremely well positioned to survive well into the future. But, most are, as you say, on the bubble.
Ultimately though, as you point out, a mindshift change can certainly move a Lodge into a better place.
When in a battle or war, sometimes consolidating forces is the best move. Stretching the manpower to hold lines that will eventually fail is a recipe for disaster. Can it be done? Sure. There are accounts of that being a successful strategy, but I think those successes can mostly be attributed to luck more than anything else.
If we look at the Craft as an army, and the profane world as the opposing force, we can begin to make strategic decisions about the best next moves. If we spread our manpower thin, relying on the sheer force of will (and some good luck) to keep floundering lodges open, we might see a few successes, but more likely than not, we will see failure after failure. The line will most likely collapse. If we instead, consolidate our forces; bring talented, motivated men together, we have a better opportunity to concentrate on bolstering our more healthy lodges.
What would that do for Masonry? By bringing those motivated men together, it increased the pool of talent to pull from. Many of have great ideas to enrich the lodge experience, but we never execute because who has the time when you're just trying to keep a lodge afloat. Those ideas can now be implemented. The lodge experience becomes more impressive and inspirational. That will motivate more men to dedicate more time and effort to the lodge.
Our troops will have regrouped, rearmed, and refitted. From this position of strength, men will be able to go out and retake those positions which were left. The close ties and high morale among the Brothers will bolster the supply lines as we begin to grow again. A strategic, purposeful growth. Instead of failing outposts, surrounded by the opposition and running short on supplies, we will have the logistical support to reinforce the lodges.
As for those lodges we left in the beginning of this exercise, I'm not suggesting that we close them and turn in their charters. Instead, we keep a skeleton crew there. Install officers every year, attend Annual Communication, etc. We keep the lights on. They are the foothold as we expand our lines back out. It's orders of magnitude easier to keep a lodge open than it is to constitute a new one.
Your points are well taken. Certainly in our personal lives, if we happen to be in a place where we must simply struggle to have our basic needs met, where we must focus all of our energy on food and shelter, we will have no time and no energy to give any meaningful thought to self improvement.
It is undoubtedly the same with Lodges. If we are struggling mightily just to stay alive, where is the time and energy for improvement to be found?
But, when we are operating from a position of strength, we are able to devote ourselves to long term improvement, both in our personal lives, and within a Lodge.
Expanding on the concept of the Ark. Remember, Noah allowed animals of different shapes, sizes, and parts onto the Ark, two by two. The current raging flood of dysfunction has rained upon us for far too long and sooner or later, new land will appear. The building of the Ark and that well-thought-out strategy of how best to save species resulted in a new beginning and some parts of Freemasonry have been actively taking place in that new beginning ever since COVID. Others have chosen to remain in the time before and suffer the consequences. The animals had to coexist and find a way to perpetuate and cross pollinate, to deliver the world we're in now with millions of species in many of those thriving. They were all together in a difficult situation and learned to act together as a unit simply because they were all animals, regardless of their differences. Lodges competing with one another is quite frankly dangerous, and moving forward together is the superior outcome. We're all Freemasons, and our core role is to make ourselves better and consequently make the world a better place. Outside of the densely populated areas, look at the districts in our state who work together and think about Freemasonry as a team sport, and how much better they thrive vs other districts who tend to compete between lodges. We spend a great deal of time trying to engage charities and communities and giving away our resources rather than looking within and trying to solve the issues that we create for ourselves. Becoming the Ark isn't about survival. It is about rising above the dysfunctional waters and terrible floods and actively deciding to endure thereby better enabling ourselves to save others and garher the resources to create a better new world. It is leading by example, it is rhe law of attractipn. Being the light, the man that others want to emulate that bring those precious petitions. Men should ask about why we are the way we are, and more importantly we should respond, proudly, because I am a Freemason! Perhaps not everyone deserves a place on the Ark, and if they decide to row in their own boat, maybe letting them do that for a while until their arms get tired, but staying in sight,, until they ask for a seat is a more elegant path. The key is always rowing to a better destination and keeping our bright future in focus.
>>>Becoming the Ark isn't about survival. It is about rising above the dysfunctional waters >>>and terrible floods and actively deciding to endure thereby better enabling ourselves to >>>save others and garher the resources to create a better new world.
What a truly wonderful way of thinking about this! Thank you Brother! I really appreciate having the opportunity to read your perspective.
In the late '60's I belonged to the Kinsmen Club in Dawson Creek, BC. After reading your article today I thought I would have a look and see if that old club was still going... it was! And with young guys.
I always thought (in my late 20's) it was foolhardy for them to have guys OVER 40 go into K-40 Club!... but now as I have 32 years experience (mostly bad) with "Past Bastards" (as I prefer to call them)... I fully understand K40 Club... by the way... the Kinsmen Club of Canada raised almost 28 MILLION dollars for Canadian charities last year!
When I joined Masons (as I've mentioned before) I was 51 years old in a Lodge with an average age of 36 and the WM was 29... I made up my mind that I would not go through "the chairs" right then and there. Instead I thought I'd go an administrative route and in my second year I became (by acclamation) the Secretary/Treasurer of my Lodge (one of the first to go that way).
Right up and until 2024 that Lodge remained that way... it's gone back! I served 14 years in that "take no crap from anyone" position. The Lodge has now found cheaper facilities, make their own meals, run their own bar (including picking up the booze and beer from a liquor store) and had only increased the dues by $20.00 from when I was "pushed out" in 2009 and are trying to collect back dues AND an assessment they had to make last year. I am sure singling, "Hooray, hooray! The Big Bad Wolf" is gone!
I was in a discussion a couple of years back on Zoom with some young leaders about this PM business... two young fellows (both PM's) said they had cordoned off seats in the Northeast corner of the Lodge where they sat all but the IPM and lovingly called it "The Bull Pen" and that if they needed anything from them, they would ask them. Period.
I am an Honorary Member of that Lodge still (but I send them their assessments) and an active member of Castle Island Virtual Lodge No. 190 in the GL of Manitoba and attend (on Zoom) two Masonic education meetings... one in Ontario, Canada and one out of Nova Scotia on the east coast. I have demitted from my Lodge here in Mexico for the same reasons as above PLUS a few new stupid kinks... the average age of that Lodge is 76 AND the WM is 86... it is doomed on its present course!
Thank you for this. I'd never heard about the Kinsman Club, so I enjoyed learning a bit about it today. Any club that created the world's largest BBQ has to be doing something right!
I think our Emeth BBQ is awesome, but holy smokes, serving BBQ to 280,000 people is a feat beyond imagination!
MW Brother, I think we must be willing to accept that while outlook appears pessimistic, perhaps a candid look at the state of our Lodges and our memberships is required in order to preserve them.
Kind of like asking the doctor to treat our gastrointestinal discomfort, ignoring the diagnosis of a treatable ailment that will eventually become fatal if unaddressed. Asking instead for temporary relief, when addressing the primary ailment would ensure our longevity, and correct our discomfort more permanently.
If we recognize the challenges we face we can address them, gavel in hand. If we are unwilling to take a closer look then perhaps the fatalistic perspective will become our reality, rather than a warning.
I think almost any Lodge should be able to pull through, if they adapt to the modern tools of the Craft. If we fail to use the tools we have available to us, we become obsolete, fighting an uphill and unnecessary battle, with a clearly determined outcome. We merely need look to the writing on the wall.
I wish that the concept of a shared Temple, housing multiple Lodges, practicing the Craft as they will was a more popular concept. Enabling each Lodge to maintain it's identity and claw back limited resources to work towards prosperity, rather than mere survival.
Given the limited time each Brother's possesses, perhaps we need to consider the old adage, "It takes a village". If we need more bodies, wouldn't it be easier to share the load until we are all healthy? Working together as Brothers? Aiding and assisting each other to preserve the unique versions of the Craft that we all have Obligated ourselves to? Rather than leaving it to a handful of Brothers to fight to the bitter end just to try and keep the lights on for one more year?
You are exactly right. Unless we are willing to face the symptoms honestly we will never be able to actually address the underlying issues.
But, this certainly isn't unique to Freemasonry. How many of us ignore our health problems so that we don't have to address the underlying cause of them?
The most successful Masonic Lodges need to involve their community in fundraising where community organizations share in the profits, like breakfasts and Spaghetti Dinners. Community persons will get inside the Lodge, and see what Lodge members share (petitions will develop)!
Undoubtedly if we hide our Light no one will truly understand that we exist, and that will certainly destroy any potential for growth that we might have otherwise had.
At the Lodge in my little City, our very best growth ever (in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality) came from weekend men's retreats at which Lodge members were encouraged to bring a friend or two who they felt would make great Masons. Our second best growth has come from community events in which the public was invited into our building.
I think that sometimes we tend to think that things like advertising can fix growth issues for us, but that seems misguided to me. We still have to do the hard work, on the ground.
I'm truly honored Sir that your brain was tickled enough to keep the conversation going. There's no greater joy for me as both a mason and an amateur "for my own therapy" writer than knowing conversation was inspired by something I shared, thank you for that.
The concept (Ark lodge) was actually foreign to me until recently. I learned it from a brother with more years in Masonry than I've been alive. He used it to mean basically what you'd expect: a lodge that demographically won't fall off a cliff in the next 15 years, with membership spread evenly across age groups, no debt, bills paid with some excess, and more than the stereotypical same five guys running everything. To be clear, it's not my term. I only included it because it was apropos to my topic.
When he called ours an "ark lodge," I smiled and thanked him for the vote of confidence, but we know how real life goes. One poison apple can kill a lodge's energy; likewise, one energetic, inspirational brother with good ideas can turn everything around. You can't change your destination overnight, but that brother CAN change direction. And if he sticks around to inspire a shared vision and put wind in the team's sails, the course can be maintained.
I think the concept is somewhat controversial, even divisive. There will be lodges of safe harbor that check the boxes. Their job is to help the fleet, partner with surrounding lodges, share ritual talent, and support events. But as Michigan faces losing 10,000 brothers this decade, some lodges will close through no fault of any brother. It's complex: our neighbor lodge lost 15 to death while raising 2, yet owns good property with rental income and healthy investments. They'll survive. Others in dying towns, with shrinking demographics, an hour from support, with buildings that are liabilities? Vegas would bet against them.
Despite my recent tone, I'm exceptionally optimistic for Masonry. It will survive, as it always has, leaner and better than ever. I have sworn to aide and assist every brother and I will. As my service song "Semper Paratus" says: whether to fight to save, or fight and die... we are for you.
You are undoubtedly right. One unsuitable man, Made a Mason, will drive men away from a Lodge, even a good Lodge, in droves. Indeed such a man can single handedly destroy a Lodge. I've seen it happen, and I imagine others have as well.
But, as you point out, it works the other way as well. A particularly energetic new Mason, with solid ideas and the ability to sell those ideas can really do a lot to turn a Lodge around.
I agree, the concept of an Ark Lodge could certainly be considered divisive, but, sometimes we must confront painful ideas if we are to make the changes needed to thrive in a bright future.
Lots to ponder here (see how I did that?). I know of several Lodges local to me which are on the bubble" and could go either way. The importance of this topic is that it can be a a harbinger of demise, or it could be the catalyst for a mindset shift towards Ark status. It's all in how the Lodge receives it.
Agreed, when I look at the Lodges I know fairly well, a small number clearly don't have what it will take to survive. Another small number certainly seem as if they are extremely well positioned to survive well into the future. But, most are, as you say, on the bubble.
Ultimately though, as you point out, a mindshift change can certainly move a Lodge into a better place.
Ark lodges- as in Noah's Ark?
Yeah, I think so.
When in a battle or war, sometimes consolidating forces is the best move. Stretching the manpower to hold lines that will eventually fail is a recipe for disaster. Can it be done? Sure. There are accounts of that being a successful strategy, but I think those successes can mostly be attributed to luck more than anything else.
If we look at the Craft as an army, and the profane world as the opposing force, we can begin to make strategic decisions about the best next moves. If we spread our manpower thin, relying on the sheer force of will (and some good luck) to keep floundering lodges open, we might see a few successes, but more likely than not, we will see failure after failure. The line will most likely collapse. If we instead, consolidate our forces; bring talented, motivated men together, we have a better opportunity to concentrate on bolstering our more healthy lodges.
What would that do for Masonry? By bringing those motivated men together, it increased the pool of talent to pull from. Many of have great ideas to enrich the lodge experience, but we never execute because who has the time when you're just trying to keep a lodge afloat. Those ideas can now be implemented. The lodge experience becomes more impressive and inspirational. That will motivate more men to dedicate more time and effort to the lodge.
Our troops will have regrouped, rearmed, and refitted. From this position of strength, men will be able to go out and retake those positions which were left. The close ties and high morale among the Brothers will bolster the supply lines as we begin to grow again. A strategic, purposeful growth. Instead of failing outposts, surrounded by the opposition and running short on supplies, we will have the logistical support to reinforce the lodges.
As for those lodges we left in the beginning of this exercise, I'm not suggesting that we close them and turn in their charters. Instead, we keep a skeleton crew there. Install officers every year, attend Annual Communication, etc. We keep the lights on. They are the foothold as we expand our lines back out. It's orders of magnitude easier to keep a lodge open than it is to constitute a new one.
Your points are well taken. Certainly in our personal lives, if we happen to be in a place where we must simply struggle to have our basic needs met, where we must focus all of our energy on food and shelter, we will have no time and no energy to give any meaningful thought to self improvement.
It is undoubtedly the same with Lodges. If we are struggling mightily just to stay alive, where is the time and energy for improvement to be found?
But, when we are operating from a position of strength, we are able to devote ourselves to long term improvement, both in our personal lives, and within a Lodge.
Expanding on the concept of the Ark. Remember, Noah allowed animals of different shapes, sizes, and parts onto the Ark, two by two. The current raging flood of dysfunction has rained upon us for far too long and sooner or later, new land will appear. The building of the Ark and that well-thought-out strategy of how best to save species resulted in a new beginning and some parts of Freemasonry have been actively taking place in that new beginning ever since COVID. Others have chosen to remain in the time before and suffer the consequences. The animals had to coexist and find a way to perpetuate and cross pollinate, to deliver the world we're in now with millions of species in many of those thriving. They were all together in a difficult situation and learned to act together as a unit simply because they were all animals, regardless of their differences. Lodges competing with one another is quite frankly dangerous, and moving forward together is the superior outcome. We're all Freemasons, and our core role is to make ourselves better and consequently make the world a better place. Outside of the densely populated areas, look at the districts in our state who work together and think about Freemasonry as a team sport, and how much better they thrive vs other districts who tend to compete between lodges. We spend a great deal of time trying to engage charities and communities and giving away our resources rather than looking within and trying to solve the issues that we create for ourselves. Becoming the Ark isn't about survival. It is about rising above the dysfunctional waters and terrible floods and actively deciding to endure thereby better enabling ourselves to save others and garher the resources to create a better new world. It is leading by example, it is rhe law of attractipn. Being the light, the man that others want to emulate that bring those precious petitions. Men should ask about why we are the way we are, and more importantly we should respond, proudly, because I am a Freemason! Perhaps not everyone deserves a place on the Ark, and if they decide to row in their own boat, maybe letting them do that for a while until their arms get tired, but staying in sight,, until they ask for a seat is a more elegant path. The key is always rowing to a better destination and keeping our bright future in focus.
>>>Becoming the Ark isn't about survival. It is about rising above the dysfunctional waters >>>and terrible floods and actively deciding to endure thereby better enabling ourselves to >>>save others and garher the resources to create a better new world.
What a truly wonderful way of thinking about this! Thank you Brother! I really appreciate having the opportunity to read your perspective.
Thank you for Emeth!
I am glad that you enjoy it, and I certainly appreciate your support of it! I hope that in some small way it can help to improve our Craft.
In the late '60's I belonged to the Kinsmen Club in Dawson Creek, BC. After reading your article today I thought I would have a look and see if that old club was still going... it was! And with young guys.
I always thought (in my late 20's) it was foolhardy for them to have guys OVER 40 go into K-40 Club!... but now as I have 32 years experience (mostly bad) with "Past Bastards" (as I prefer to call them)... I fully understand K40 Club... by the way... the Kinsmen Club of Canada raised almost 28 MILLION dollars for Canadian charities last year!
When I joined Masons (as I've mentioned before) I was 51 years old in a Lodge with an average age of 36 and the WM was 29... I made up my mind that I would not go through "the chairs" right then and there. Instead I thought I'd go an administrative route and in my second year I became (by acclamation) the Secretary/Treasurer of my Lodge (one of the first to go that way).
Right up and until 2024 that Lodge remained that way... it's gone back! I served 14 years in that "take no crap from anyone" position. The Lodge has now found cheaper facilities, make their own meals, run their own bar (including picking up the booze and beer from a liquor store) and had only increased the dues by $20.00 from when I was "pushed out" in 2009 and are trying to collect back dues AND an assessment they had to make last year. I am sure singling, "Hooray, hooray! The Big Bad Wolf" is gone!
I was in a discussion a couple of years back on Zoom with some young leaders about this PM business... two young fellows (both PM's) said they had cordoned off seats in the Northeast corner of the Lodge where they sat all but the IPM and lovingly called it "The Bull Pen" and that if they needed anything from them, they would ask them. Period.
I am an Honorary Member of that Lodge still (but I send them their assessments) and an active member of Castle Island Virtual Lodge No. 190 in the GL of Manitoba and attend (on Zoom) two Masonic education meetings... one in Ontario, Canada and one out of Nova Scotia on the east coast. I have demitted from my Lodge here in Mexico for the same reasons as above PLUS a few new stupid kinks... the average age of that Lodge is 76 AND the WM is 86... it is doomed on its present course!
SMIB!
Thank you for this. I'd never heard about the Kinsman Club, so I enjoyed learning a bit about it today. Any club that created the world's largest BBQ has to be doing something right!
I think our Emeth BBQ is awesome, but holy smokes, serving BBQ to 280,000 people is a feat beyond imagination!
MW Brother, I think we must be willing to accept that while outlook appears pessimistic, perhaps a candid look at the state of our Lodges and our memberships is required in order to preserve them.
Kind of like asking the doctor to treat our gastrointestinal discomfort, ignoring the diagnosis of a treatable ailment that will eventually become fatal if unaddressed. Asking instead for temporary relief, when addressing the primary ailment would ensure our longevity, and correct our discomfort more permanently.
If we recognize the challenges we face we can address them, gavel in hand. If we are unwilling to take a closer look then perhaps the fatalistic perspective will become our reality, rather than a warning.
I think almost any Lodge should be able to pull through, if they adapt to the modern tools of the Craft. If we fail to use the tools we have available to us, we become obsolete, fighting an uphill and unnecessary battle, with a clearly determined outcome. We merely need look to the writing on the wall.
I wish that the concept of a shared Temple, housing multiple Lodges, practicing the Craft as they will was a more popular concept. Enabling each Lodge to maintain it's identity and claw back limited resources to work towards prosperity, rather than mere survival.
Given the limited time each Brother's possesses, perhaps we need to consider the old adage, "It takes a village". If we need more bodies, wouldn't it be easier to share the load until we are all healthy? Working together as Brothers? Aiding and assisting each other to preserve the unique versions of the Craft that we all have Obligated ourselves to? Rather than leaving it to a handful of Brothers to fight to the bitter end just to try and keep the lights on for one more year?
Excellent post Brother!
You are exactly right. Unless we are willing to face the symptoms honestly we will never be able to actually address the underlying issues.
But, this certainly isn't unique to Freemasonry. How many of us ignore our health problems so that we don't have to address the underlying cause of them?