The decline of our fraternity has been an issue for decades. At first it was probably a good thing, no lodge should have a 1000 members. Frankly, lack of anyone guarding the west gate has contributed the most to the fraternity’s membership issues. The urbanization of society has also played a part in killing off lodges, as rural communities are slowly dying.
And yes, meetings lacking any moral or spiritual discussion contribute to retention.
I do see a glimmer of hope, in that there are lodges in the jurisdiction that are recognizing the problems and are trying to create a vibrant and living culture. Not a lot, there are still those lodges that just can’t accept change. But the seeds have been planted and the spread of Masonic education and change is growing. In the two districts I live near, when I first joined, not a single lodge offered any Masonic education at all. Now, I would say that most at least try to do something more than pay bills and argue about pancakes.
I agree, there is hope. We have, in my Jurisdiction, Lodges that are fulfilling the promises of Masonry, and thriving as a result. That vanguard will lead the way for all.
But, those Lodges that have not begun to embrace change are in a race. Will they improve their practices enough to actually attract and retain new members or will they die first?
Agreed. There are lots of social organizations out there that do socializing much better than our Lodges do. Lots of charitable organizations out there that do charity better than our Lodges do.
The one thing we have is our symbolic/esoteric/ritualistic practices and instruction. If we don't lean into that, we have no purpose, and no organization can survive without a purpose.
Unfortunately our Masonic Lodge died a long time ago. In my community I think it was due to the big cultural shift from going from a more affluent Caucasian community to being a poor Hispanic one. They turned the last lodge into an administration building for a school district.
I sure recall with fond memories the vibrant days in the 60’s -80’s when it was alive with vitality and those men are gone. The legacy discontinued. 😞
People from Mexico and further south in Central and South America are certainly interested in what Freemasonry has to offer, if our Lodges can figure out how to effectively reach into their communities.
Freemasonry thrives in Mexico and the nations of Central and South America. So those who come here from there would certainly be interested in our Lodges.
But, how do we reach out?
In my little City we have a goodly part of our downtown where primarily Spanish speaking businesses have located and are thriving. It's a wonderful community. But my Lodge has not yet figured out how to reach out to that community. How to let them know that we are here and would love for them to join us.
Our future will require us to figure exactly that out.
Have you been to any of the lodges in Mexico and South America? Perhaps there is a class dichotomy. The times I’ve worked in Mexico has been for a very wealthy Castilians. One time we were performing a show with a Mexican American from LA who spoke wonderful Spanish so he was hired to be the emcee of the show. The first night of our performance the sponsors who were Castillion Mexicans, and who proud of themselves on their class distinction fired him because they said he spoke like a straight Mexican. It was only a week long show, but both my first husband and I took over the emcee job with our limited American Spanish. I guess that was more acceptable than the street Spanish they claimed was spoken by the MC. Of course most of the Hispanic community where I live desperately came over to here guided by illegal coyotes. Certainly not part of the Castillion class. So perhaps they Hispanics in your community and mine who are now more educated and affluent and contribute greatly to the community are hesitant to join Masons? Because of the wide class difference? What do you think?
I have visited Lodges in Mexico, but not further south. I also know, and have spent time with lots of Masons in Mexico and throughout Central and South America at Masonic conferences and the like.
I understand what you are saying about the class distinctions, but I don't think that is the case here. Freemasonry makes the erasure of class distinctions one of its top priorities, and always has.
Indeed, Teddy Roosevelt wrote of his own Masonic experience, when the Lodge he was a member of, as President, had his gardner as its Worshipful Master. And how as a result, they were able to enjoy each other's company, as equals, within the Lodge, but would have never been able to do so without that Masonic connection.
And I think it similar there. One of the Masons I know from there owns a very large company in Mexico, and divides his time between his home there and his home in one of our major cities, flying regularly back and forth, but others I know there are just leading regular lives with regular jobs. And of course lots of Americans and Canadians are members of Lodges in Mexico, indeed I received a call from a Canadian who lives in Mexico, and belongs to a Lodge there while I was writing the above bit about Roosevelt.
Past Grand Master, MWB Bill Miller from Washington state shared some wisdom with me. He said, there are three elements to a successful Masonic meeting.
First, if all your members showed up, are you able to feed all the Brothers?
Second, at the stated meeting, did you provide something that educated Brothers so that you provided them value to be away from family and loved ones?
Finally, can you inform the Brothers why they should be at the next meeting and what they could look forward to (education, something of value)?
Simply put, we are all busy. If we are not living up to the promises to educate our members in that sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, these Brothers are silently voting with their feet to be in another place which provides more value. Be one of the Brothers who are engaged taking good men and making them better.
I'd add one more that I've never forgotten from MWB Sam Roberts. As I recall he mentioned it to me when I was an EA and he was our DDGM:
-If you don't know how to cook a decent Prime Rib, it is better to feed them a good chili dog.
And having had a pretty bad Lodge meal or two in my time, I well understand the point he was making! Luckily though, the Lodges I regularly attend put on pretty darn good meals!
As the one doing the class on running a successful meeting at the upcoming LLR, I’ve added a small part emphasizing that a meeting shouldn’t be looked at as a meeting, but as an event to look forward to. That night isn’t just about what happened between bangs of the gavel, consideration should be paid both before and after. I truly believe that if the WMs looked at it in that regard, it might just improve things as a whole.
Excellent posts and quotes. I look forward to the next one, each time I finish the last.
It feels to me that society is at a precipitous point in time where each action, or lack thereof, could tip the balance in either direction. For better or worse.
We each were given tools and charges that contain many of the solutions we require to address the challenges we face.
Most candidates and brothers I have spoken with in my travels show interest in the kind of masonry that most have only read about in stories. They seek opportunity to do something positive for the world and to live a life of purpose and meaning. It’s the reason many joined masonry, self included.
They seek to set cornerstones, raise pillars, and establish legacies of their own with the sound counsel and companionship of Brothers nearing the end of their work. They only require the opportunity, guidance, and support to begin their work.
I had a conversation with a brother today regarding possible concerns over how we have found ourselves at this point. I was reminded of the story of the butterfly undergoing its transformation. It requires effort and struggle to make it worthy of the gift of flight, and details the perils of untested wings.
If we create space for these brothers to test and temper themselves, they might grow to preserve the craft, and rise to meet the legacies of those that came before.
Thank you Brother! I'm glad that you find value in these posts.
Freemasonry will continue to change as younger Brothers join the fold and adapt it to their needs. But, unfortunately in a lot of our Lodges it is a race. Will they adapt quickly enough to survive? Many will not, so in my view we need to do all we can to encourage the formation of new Lodges to replace those that will inevitably be lost.
I have heard that change is the only constant. I am inclined to agree…
I firmly believe there are ways to help sustain even the most troubled of Lodges… if they desire it.
Your statement reminds me of a phrase I often heard on the ops floor in a past life, “adapt or die”. A significant and stark contrast to our current troubles, however, a useful point of consideration. It encourages dynamic thinking to address the situations at hand using restricted, damaged, or limited resources to provide immediate solutions.
It can take a lot of hard conversations and sincere reflection of our capabilities and availability, but the increased operational success and reduced attrition rates are hard to argue against. We should ask what do we have to lose, and what could we gain?
Where there is life, there is hope. Sometimes circumstances have to become difficult enough for us to take action. The sooner we recognize it, the less it will cost us.
Often new opportunities can inspire and invigorate communities and organizations. Maybe the act of cultivating new Lodges will serve to restore that which already exists? Either way Brother, count me in.
You are right, there are ways to pull almost any Lodge back from the brink of dissolution. Some unfortunately do reach a point where there just isn't enough left to do it (such as not having enough members to elect Officers) but most could be saved to thrive again.
But, you are also right, the members of that Lodge have to want it. And I think it is often the case that they don't. One particular Lodge that I'm thinking of right now died because the men in it just didn't want to try to save it. That was really obvious. The wind had come out of their sails when a tragedy struck their membership, and even though there was no reason for the Lodge to die, they just let it die.
I've been invited for an interview in the Maltese lodge, coming weekend.
To be honest, I have my doubts. My intention to join is learning more and gaining depth in mysticism, alchemy, ... So on.
Now, I'm very much aware of my own capabilities and question the need of a fraternity to be able to learn and grow.
Will it hold me back through social expectations in the lodges?
What is it really about?
So I decided to go and see for myself. Now if masonry really carries ancient wisdom and keeps it alive. Then the maintenance and growth of masonry is crucial for the future of humanity. By remembering who and what we are we open the path to growth and evolution within our being and collectively.
Every Masonic Lodge is different from every other Masonic Lodge.
Just using a couple of things you mention, I can say that some (not many, some) Lodges do attract Masons interested in mysticism, alchemy, hermeticism, magick, and the like. As a result of that, they embrace and explore these things.
Some Lodges (more than the above type at this time) are really focused on the social aspects of Freemasonry.
Others are focused in other areas. It all just depends on the men involved.
All Lodges do share the ritual, which contains tremendous value, but one must remember that the teachings within the ritual are veiled. Freemasonry gives no answers. Rather it gives fellowship with other men who are also seeking answers, and gives tools for its Initiates to find answers. But that search for answers is always a solitary quest that must be undertaken by each individual.
The best thing that a man considering Freemasonry can do is visit all of the Lodges in his area. Find the one that best meets his own interests. That is the Lodge to Petition, and it won't necessarily be the Lodge closest to his home.
I am a member of two Lodges that I truly love. They are both an hour and a half drive from my home. Each way. But in them, I find meaning. I'm also a member of the Lodge that is six or seven blocks from my home. In it, I find something else, a connection to my community, and men that I can always rely upon.
I hope that this is of some help to you.
The important thing, in my view, is to always remember that every Lodge is unique. If you become a Mason and find that you aren't getting value from Freemasonry, the solution isn't to stop being a Mason, the solution is to look around and find a Lodge that will bring you the value you seek, and join that one.
The decline of our fraternity has been an issue for decades. At first it was probably a good thing, no lodge should have a 1000 members. Frankly, lack of anyone guarding the west gate has contributed the most to the fraternity’s membership issues. The urbanization of society has also played a part in killing off lodges, as rural communities are slowly dying.
And yes, meetings lacking any moral or spiritual discussion contribute to retention.
I do see a glimmer of hope, in that there are lodges in the jurisdiction that are recognizing the problems and are trying to create a vibrant and living culture. Not a lot, there are still those lodges that just can’t accept change. But the seeds have been planted and the spread of Masonic education and change is growing. In the two districts I live near, when I first joined, not a single lodge offered any Masonic education at all. Now, I would say that most at least try to do something more than pay bills and argue about pancakes.
I agree, there is hope. We have, in my Jurisdiction, Lodges that are fulfilling the promises of Masonry, and thriving as a result. That vanguard will lead the way for all.
But, those Lodges that have not begun to embrace change are in a race. Will they improve their practices enough to actually attract and retain new members or will they die first?
Just the other night a small group of us were talking about how to reintroduce education and meaning to our meetings.
Without it - maybe we should have joined the Elks.
Agreed. There are lots of social organizations out there that do socializing much better than our Lodges do. Lots of charitable organizations out there that do charity better than our Lodges do.
The one thing we have is our symbolic/esoteric/ritualistic practices and instruction. If we don't lean into that, we have no purpose, and no organization can survive without a purpose.
Unfortunately our Masonic Lodge died a long time ago. In my community I think it was due to the big cultural shift from going from a more affluent Caucasian community to being a poor Hispanic one. They turned the last lodge into an administration building for a school district.
I sure recall with fond memories the vibrant days in the 60’s -80’s when it was alive with vitality and those men are gone. The legacy discontinued. 😞
People from Mexico and further south in Central and South America are certainly interested in what Freemasonry has to offer, if our Lodges can figure out how to effectively reach into their communities.
Freemasonry thrives in Mexico and the nations of Central and South America. So those who come here from there would certainly be interested in our Lodges.
But, how do we reach out?
In my little City we have a goodly part of our downtown where primarily Spanish speaking businesses have located and are thriving. It's a wonderful community. But my Lodge has not yet figured out how to reach out to that community. How to let them know that we are here and would love for them to join us.
Our future will require us to figure exactly that out.
Have you been to any of the lodges in Mexico and South America? Perhaps there is a class dichotomy. The times I’ve worked in Mexico has been for a very wealthy Castilians. One time we were performing a show with a Mexican American from LA who spoke wonderful Spanish so he was hired to be the emcee of the show. The first night of our performance the sponsors who were Castillion Mexicans, and who proud of themselves on their class distinction fired him because they said he spoke like a straight Mexican. It was only a week long show, but both my first husband and I took over the emcee job with our limited American Spanish. I guess that was more acceptable than the street Spanish they claimed was spoken by the MC. Of course most of the Hispanic community where I live desperately came over to here guided by illegal coyotes. Certainly not part of the Castillion class. So perhaps they Hispanics in your community and mine who are now more educated and affluent and contribute greatly to the community are hesitant to join Masons? Because of the wide class difference? What do you think?
I have visited Lodges in Mexico, but not further south. I also know, and have spent time with lots of Masons in Mexico and throughout Central and South America at Masonic conferences and the like.
I understand what you are saying about the class distinctions, but I don't think that is the case here. Freemasonry makes the erasure of class distinctions one of its top priorities, and always has.
Indeed, Teddy Roosevelt wrote of his own Masonic experience, when the Lodge he was a member of, as President, had his gardner as its Worshipful Master. And how as a result, they were able to enjoy each other's company, as equals, within the Lodge, but would have never been able to do so without that Masonic connection.
And I think it similar there. One of the Masons I know from there owns a very large company in Mexico, and divides his time between his home there and his home in one of our major cities, flying regularly back and forth, but others I know there are just leading regular lives with regular jobs. And of course lots of Americans and Canadians are members of Lodges in Mexico, indeed I received a call from a Canadian who lives in Mexico, and belongs to a Lodge there while I was writing the above bit about Roosevelt.
Wow, I'm honored to be so quoted!
I loved that introduction Brother! That was a powerful call for bringing meaning back to Masonry!
And thank you for signing the book, it's a treasure!
THANK YOU. And I think your post resulted in sending out two eBooks and two print ones today!
If you feel so inclined. please lave an Amazon review. :^}
I'd be happy to do this for you, but before I try to figure it out, let me ask, do I need to have an Amazon account to do so?
Whenever I have a need for anything from Amazon I have my daughter order it for me, so don't actually have an account there.
Not sure honestly. I'm logged in when I do it.
I'll check it out.
Past Grand Master, MWB Bill Miller from Washington state shared some wisdom with me. He said, there are three elements to a successful Masonic meeting.
First, if all your members showed up, are you able to feed all the Brothers?
Second, at the stated meeting, did you provide something that educated Brothers so that you provided them value to be away from family and loved ones?
Finally, can you inform the Brothers why they should be at the next meeting and what they could look forward to (education, something of value)?
Simply put, we are all busy. If we are not living up to the promises to educate our members in that sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, these Brothers are silently voting with their feet to be in another place which provides more value. Be one of the Brothers who are engaged taking good men and making them better.
That is some fine PGM wisdom!
I'd add one more that I've never forgotten from MWB Sam Roberts. As I recall he mentioned it to me when I was an EA and he was our DDGM:
-If you don't know how to cook a decent Prime Rib, it is better to feed them a good chili dog.
And having had a pretty bad Lodge meal or two in my time, I well understand the point he was making! Luckily though, the Lodges I regularly attend put on pretty darn good meals!
As the one doing the class on running a successful meeting at the upcoming LLR, I’ve added a small part emphasizing that a meeting shouldn’t be looked at as a meeting, but as an event to look forward to. That night isn’t just about what happened between bangs of the gavel, consideration should be paid both before and after. I truly believe that if the WMs looked at it in that regard, it might just improve things as a whole.
I think you are right, a great meal beforehand, and some superb fellowship over drinks afterwards makes all the difference.
MW Brother,
Excellent posts and quotes. I look forward to the next one, each time I finish the last.
It feels to me that society is at a precipitous point in time where each action, or lack thereof, could tip the balance in either direction. For better or worse.
We each were given tools and charges that contain many of the solutions we require to address the challenges we face.
Most candidates and brothers I have spoken with in my travels show interest in the kind of masonry that most have only read about in stories. They seek opportunity to do something positive for the world and to live a life of purpose and meaning. It’s the reason many joined masonry, self included.
They seek to set cornerstones, raise pillars, and establish legacies of their own with the sound counsel and companionship of Brothers nearing the end of their work. They only require the opportunity, guidance, and support to begin their work.
I had a conversation with a brother today regarding possible concerns over how we have found ourselves at this point. I was reminded of the story of the butterfly undergoing its transformation. It requires effort and struggle to make it worthy of the gift of flight, and details the perils of untested wings.
If we create space for these brothers to test and temper themselves, they might grow to preserve the craft, and rise to meet the legacies of those that came before.
Thank you Brother! I'm glad that you find value in these posts.
Freemasonry will continue to change as younger Brothers join the fold and adapt it to their needs. But, unfortunately in a lot of our Lodges it is a race. Will they adapt quickly enough to survive? Many will not, so in my view we need to do all we can to encourage the formation of new Lodges to replace those that will inevitably be lost.
I have heard that change is the only constant. I am inclined to agree…
I firmly believe there are ways to help sustain even the most troubled of Lodges… if they desire it.
Your statement reminds me of a phrase I often heard on the ops floor in a past life, “adapt or die”. A significant and stark contrast to our current troubles, however, a useful point of consideration. It encourages dynamic thinking to address the situations at hand using restricted, damaged, or limited resources to provide immediate solutions.
It can take a lot of hard conversations and sincere reflection of our capabilities and availability, but the increased operational success and reduced attrition rates are hard to argue against. We should ask what do we have to lose, and what could we gain?
Where there is life, there is hope. Sometimes circumstances have to become difficult enough for us to take action. The sooner we recognize it, the less it will cost us.
Often new opportunities can inspire and invigorate communities and organizations. Maybe the act of cultivating new Lodges will serve to restore that which already exists? Either way Brother, count me in.
You are right, there are ways to pull almost any Lodge back from the brink of dissolution. Some unfortunately do reach a point where there just isn't enough left to do it (such as not having enough members to elect Officers) but most could be saved to thrive again.
But, you are also right, the members of that Lodge have to want it. And I think it is often the case that they don't. One particular Lodge that I'm thinking of right now died because the men in it just didn't want to try to save it. That was really obvious. The wind had come out of their sails when a tragedy struck their membership, and even though there was no reason for the Lodge to die, they just let it die.
I've been invited for an interview in the Maltese lodge, coming weekend.
To be honest, I have my doubts. My intention to join is learning more and gaining depth in mysticism, alchemy, ... So on.
Now, I'm very much aware of my own capabilities and question the need of a fraternity to be able to learn and grow.
Will it hold me back through social expectations in the lodges?
What is it really about?
So I decided to go and see for myself. Now if masonry really carries ancient wisdom and keeps it alive. Then the maintenance and growth of masonry is crucial for the future of humanity. By remembering who and what we are we open the path to growth and evolution within our being and collectively.
Kind regards,
Nick
Every Masonic Lodge is different from every other Masonic Lodge.
Just using a couple of things you mention, I can say that some (not many, some) Lodges do attract Masons interested in mysticism, alchemy, hermeticism, magick, and the like. As a result of that, they embrace and explore these things.
Some Lodges (more than the above type at this time) are really focused on the social aspects of Freemasonry.
Others are focused in other areas. It all just depends on the men involved.
All Lodges do share the ritual, which contains tremendous value, but one must remember that the teachings within the ritual are veiled. Freemasonry gives no answers. Rather it gives fellowship with other men who are also seeking answers, and gives tools for its Initiates to find answers. But that search for answers is always a solitary quest that must be undertaken by each individual.
The best thing that a man considering Freemasonry can do is visit all of the Lodges in his area. Find the one that best meets his own interests. That is the Lodge to Petition, and it won't necessarily be the Lodge closest to his home.
I am a member of two Lodges that I truly love. They are both an hour and a half drive from my home. Each way. But in them, I find meaning. I'm also a member of the Lodge that is six or seven blocks from my home. In it, I find something else, a connection to my community, and men that I can always rely upon.
I hope that this is of some help to you.
The important thing, in my view, is to always remember that every Lodge is unique. If you become a Mason and find that you aren't getting value from Freemasonry, the solution isn't to stop being a Mason, the solution is to look around and find a Lodge that will bring you the value you seek, and join that one.