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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 11, 2016 16:44:26 GMT
Brethren,
My name is Christopher Johnson, and I've decided to undertake a project, the results of which I will gladly publish and share on this site. As you all know, our fraternity has seen a dramatic decline in overall membership and attendance since the early 1970's. Our numbers just aren't what they were. On the converse side of that coin, no other fraternal organization has had the same staying power, influence, wide spread membership, or social impact as Freemasonry has had. We face a challenge, how do we remain relevant in this day and age without causing any material changes in our Masonic Institution? To this end, I'd like to ask for responses to the following: What keeps a lodge successful today? For me, a successful lodge is one that: A) Has a steady flow of candidates - at least 5 per year minimum. That’s one candidate for every two months (excluding the months some of us "go dark") that we have a business meeting. B) Is financially solvent. That means that money is coming in at a greater rate than money is going out. Could be from dues, could be from fellowship dinners, could be from community donations, it doesn't matter. C) Has an active membership. We all know lodges, or belong to one, that have a core group of between 4 to 12 brothers that do all the work. That is NOT what I'm talking about. If you have at least 25% or greater attendance and involvement from your active, good standing, dues paying members, this is to you. D) Has a positive community image. If your community looks favorably on your lodge, or your district, if they know you can be a source of help or good will, or heck, if they know you exist! This is what I'm looking for. E) Have maintained the spirit and soul of Freemasonry. We are not a cigar club, though we may have cigar nights. We are not a community service organization, though we engage in community service projects. We are not a charity group, though we believe in being charitable. Freemasonry has always been something greater, a fraternity of men making each other, and the world around us better. We are, or should be, men who work to fit our every action, thought, and belief into the due bounds of our obligations, and who the non-initiated might look at and desire to emulate. Men who may disagree with their brethren, but do not allow that to color their interaction with each other or their attendance at lodge. Not all of our lodges will fit into this definition. In fact, given the decline of membership that we face, it would not be unfair to say that very few of us will. So, if your lodge is successful at any one of the above metrics, or more, please let me know what you attribute that success to. My hope is that I'll get a lot of answers, enough to actually dive into the reasons and come up with a Success Plan that my lodge, and upon publishing to this site ALL lodges, might be able to borrow from and revitalize our Fraternity. I'm sure that we would all agree that to do nothing would result in Freemasonry fading from the world, and the world would be the poorer for it. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke
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Post by billmcelligott on May 11, 2016 18:22:13 GMT
Well that is a good project to embark upom.
My answer to your question comes from John Wayne in one of his best films 'The Searchers' he says to his sidekick while ring through a woodland area, its snowing, ' An injun will chase a critter so far and no further, seems like he just can't understand someone who just keeps on a comin' [ or words similar ]
My Mother Lodge , I was told it could not be saved but with gritted teeth and the determination that it needed it is just fine now and it is now at the stage where the stewardsare getting fed up becuase it takes too long to get an active role.
Our Daughter Lodge was the same 8 to 10 years back, had a meeting with the 8 members left with the Provincial Sec and APGM. Same as above doing just fime now.
I was advised that my Chapter down to 6 members would have to hand in it's warrant. but what do you know it is doing just fine now.
True Grit and determination is needed to steal from JW again, if the spirit to keep going is there it will be OK.
We did in Craft what I think made a big difference. I started what I called a Family Cluster Meeting. This involed my Mother Lodge, Its Daughter Lodge and its Grandaughter Lodge. We had a Cluster meeting once a year , we tried to get the Three masters in the Chairs and circulated the offices equally between each Lodge. Each year we moved on the the nest Lodge who became the host. Its not so important now becuase they all have so much work they have trouble fitting the Cluster meeing in.
The Chapter got a lot of help from the Provincial Office who sent teams in to help us get through the work. We have now started a merge with another Chapter and that is going well.
So hope some of this helps.
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Post by peter2 on May 11, 2016 21:53:09 GMT
>Have maintained the spirit and soul of Freemasonry.
This seems to me to be the key, but I am not sure that it leads to great numbers.
Who can say what is the soul of Masonry? Is it the practice of Masonic Science?
Who can say what is the spirit of Masonry? Is it the presence of the GAOTU?
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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 11, 2016 23:12:02 GMT
>Have maintained the spirit and soul of Freemasonry. This seems to me to be the key, but I am not sure that it leads to great numbers. Who can say what is the soul of Masonry? Is it the practice of Masonic Science? Who can say what is the spirit of Masonry? Is it the presence of the GAOTU? I believe that the spirit and soul of Masonry are intimately tied with its history. As I said in another forum, there are plenty of institutions out there. If you google a list of fraternal organizations, you will get a list of literally thousands. But we were always a cut above the rest. Truly great men thought it no dishonor to follow the tenets of the institution. Where we came from, our ties to the Ancient Mysteries, the promotion of ideals. That's key. People have said of me personally that I am "idealistic" and to them I say: That's right. And to my thinking we need more people who are idealistic, more people who are willing and able to hold, really HOLD to an ideal. Those are the men that history remembers. The soul and spirit of Masonry, to me, isn't that much of a mystery. If I read the ritual and really listen to the words, the charges, and the obligations - I find the soul and spirit of Freemasonry easily enough.
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Post by peter2 on May 12, 2016 2:27:22 GMT
>I believe that the spirit and soul of Masonry are intimately tied with its history.
That may be true but the histories written after 1717 are unlikely to help much.
>our ties to the Ancient Mysteries
Certainly so. Arguably parts of our rituals are copied to some degree from the Mysteries. For example the layout of a craft lodge is closely related to that of Mithraic temples.
> If I read the ritual and really listen to the words, the charges, and the obligations - I find the soul and spirit of Freemasonry easily enough
Rituals since 1717 have been written by those that admitted to not having the genuine secrets, so I think that finding the spirit of Masonry from them might be difficult.
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Post by billmcelligott on May 12, 2016 10:32:18 GMT
Well I do not disagree Bro. Peter, I just think that it is like one of my other favourite fils. Field of Dreams. 'build it and they will come'.
If we keep to the fundamental prociples that are in the ritual I agree. But dont just mouth the words understand the meaning. They will come and if they do not it will be their loss.
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Post by peter2 on May 12, 2016 11:20:46 GMT
If we keep to the fundamental principles that are in the ritual . ...They will come .. I certainly hope so, but I am not sure that being true is sufficient. There may be a time for new bottles and new wine.
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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 12, 2016 19:20:10 GMT
But to my way of thinking, especially if our claim to the Mithraic Mysteries (and I've actually done a bit of study in this field, and wrote a book on Amazon entitled "Be Ye Therefore Wise as Serpents") are true - and the Egyptian Mysteries before them, then this concept of being good, moral, upright, charitable, educated, and faithful men has been around since the earliest recorded histories. To me, that kind of longevity isn't achieved because we need to change the core concept, but we do need to find a way to stay relevant in this day and age. Hence my project to find out what works from lodges who are finding themselves to be in a growth position. What are they doing differently than other lodges? What tips can they offer? What CAN we change, without changing what we can't? Or shouldn't?
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Post by billmcelligott on May 12, 2016 19:52:26 GMT
As my old Dad would often say 'if it ain't broke son, don't try to fix it'.
The Pyramid builders built many structures that just fell over or disapeared into the sand. They, if you wish to go back that far did not know all the answeres. Niether did this at the Birth of modern Freemasonry.
Modern Freemasonry started with about 60 drunken Masons in a Pub in London. Today there are it is estimated some 5 million Freemasons worldwide.
What is important ? how many Masons there are or what is the quality of the Freemasonry you are involved with.
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Post by peter2 on May 12, 2016 23:56:33 GMT
.. this concept of being good, moral, upright, charitable, educated, and faithful men has been around since the earliest recorded histories.. This is the work of the EA and promoted by any number of organisations. Which organisations promote the work of the FC? Who even knows what is the work of the MM? If we compete and deliver only on the level of the EA then there is little net benefit to the human race.
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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 13, 2016 2:22:18 GMT
Of course Masonry should go further than the EA, if we are a light in dark times, it does no good to shut that light up in the lodge room. But this is beginning to take a turn to the esoteric, what I need, what I think we all NEED, are ways to make us regain participation, grow membership, and engage our communities. Firstly let me say that I've posted this self same question in about 3 other Masonic forums, and to date I've had about 6 answers, and that is...disappointing. But some good suggestions have come from it. I've had a good suggestion for a Lodge Education Officer, cluster meetings between subordinate lodges and lodges in close proximity, and more family oriented events. A personal idea I had was to get several area lodges together to do a big one day festival kind of thing, with games and booths for the kids, maybe free ice cream, tickets for bounce houses, etc. Plus there would be information about all the community charities we support or organizations that depend on us, donations we've made, famous Masons, so forth and so on. This is the kind of info I'm looking for. What have lodges that are good at having a high participation rate doing? What are lodges who have good financial positions doing? Are they raising dues? Having more fellowship dinners? Involving the community and getting donations? Having high ticket item raffles?
The idea here is to get as many ideas together and then I can analyze them for trends, for core practices, for what is successful, can be replicated, and is consistent among disparate lodges and areas.
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Post by peter2 on May 13, 2016 8:13:01 GMT
Perhaps lodges that encourage brethren to discover what is the work of the FC might provide more interest.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2016 8:37:11 GMT
There have been several changes in recent years to try to address these issues. One I am aware of is the University Schemes whereby young men under the age of 21 are initiated while at University but as far as I am aware do not take office in the Lodge.
I do know that on occasion these can be multiple initiations (I know of one where 12 candidates were initiated together). Whether this takes away from the experience by feeling less personal, or adds to it by being shared I do not know.
I have spent years trying to address these issues. Many members of my Lodge would prefer to start at 4pm (as many are retired) open, read the minutes, close and dine then be away by 8pm.
Where I have delivered papers and discussions I frequently get a message of "as it is a lecture and no work to do please give my apologies".
Then every GP meeting they sit around and wonder why candidates are not beating a path to our door.
My personal view is that Freemasonry in the UK needs to contract not expand. Fewer Lodges would lead to higher attendance (50,000 masons spread between 1000 Lodges as opposed to 5000 Lodges)
We also need to be more selective. We need to think what is best for the candidate not just what is best or the Lodge. This means when a candidate at the interview stage declares he does not believe in any Supreme Being we should not try to make him change his answer just so we can do some work at the next meeting.
If Freemasonry was more selective then this "may" lead to more involved candidates.
There are several Orders I belong to where I think "this captures the whole essence of what Freemasonry should be about". That message should be delivered in Craft Lodges though not orders beyond the Craft.
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Post by peter2 on May 13, 2016 20:45:59 GMT
It rather depends on whether the GAOTU has any interest in Masonry. If not it can be anything we want, racially and sexually segregated with exclusive territory and identical rituals that do not change with the seasons.
In 30 years I have found one brother interested in Masonic Science but I suspect that there are some in SRIA.
Most of the older brethren seem to have past life connections with monasteries. They like male-only ritual and that is what they do. Freemasonry is a convenient home for them.
I rather think that we need a new group entirely, moving away from the developer model of a Great Architect and towards a more organic and cooperative model of a Great Steward of the Universe.
I would not be surprised if the deep green movements already have some candidates for such a Masonry.
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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 13, 2016 21:15:47 GMT
It rather depends on whether the GAOTU has any interest in Masonry. If not it can be anything we want, racially and sexually segregated with exclusive territory and identical rituals that do not change with the seasons. In 30 years I have found one brother interested in Masonic Science but I suspect that there are some in SRIA. Most of the older brethren seem to have past life connections with monasteries. They like male-only ritual and that is what they do. Freemasonry is a convenient home for them. I rather think that we need a new group entirely, moving away from the developer model of a Great Architect and towards a more organic and cooperative model of a Great Steward of the Universe. I would not be surprised if the deep green movements already have some candidates for such a Masonry. Once again, brother, this is leaning toward the esoteric and in my opinion a material change to the foundation and landmarks of Masonry, which I cannot support based not only on my obligations and oaths but also on personal investigation. Green movements, or in fact most movements, tend to extremity and as with all things extremity is bad. Balance is the way in which the world works. I take it by your mention of the SRIA that you've studied the Hermetic teachings and know that the macrocosm is just a grander version of the microcosm, "As above so Below", the question simply being one of scale. Therefore you know that balance is key, not the leanings to the left or right of one group or another. Also, a Grand Steward of the Universe tends to make me think that it is moving away from the idea of a creator, and I believe that there was A Creator, the universe, the world, the intricacies of ecosystems all point toward the idea of intelligent design. A steward seems to passive and reactive to what was already there. To ozymandius - you are one of quite a few people so far who have mentioned shrinking Masonry by being selective. It looks like this may be a theme to explore more intently. We've had "One Day Classes" in America and we get a few good Masons out of it, but I think it makes the fraternity too accessible and takes away the idea that you should work for the privilege of becoming a Mason - not that you simply fill out a form, pay a fee, and there you go. Thanks for your insight.
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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 18, 2016 20:55:26 GMT
c'mon fellas we need to get some real answers here. No responses = no data = no ideas. I'm trying to get some suggestions here from brothers who have been successful in these areas. So far I've had a few real responses over 3 forums. That doesn't seem right to me.
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Post by peter2 on May 19, 2016 1:58:25 GMT
>c'mon fellas we need to get some real answers here
Do you consider that the GAOTU has no influence on or interest in Masonry?
If not then it is an exoteric organization and can be anything the brethren are prepared to fund.
If the GAOTU is a player then perhaps it is time to see what attracts his blessings.
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Post by billmcelligott on May 19, 2016 15:16:13 GMT
If you accept the written explanations of the GA then we have in the interests of survival , been given Free Will.
You decide what you believe, if it were dictated by a supreme being then the foundation of being a numan would be destroyed. We cant go on Holiday / Vacation without one group or another going on strike. in the UK over the past Months we have had Doctors on strike. As soon as you try to force or dictate to human beings they revolt.I think the GA would know this.
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Post by johnsoncm1 on May 19, 2016 19:37:17 GMT
I'm really not sure how this got hijacked into a discussion on what God might think. Personally I think if we accept the paradigm of an omnipotent and all powerful creator God, than us poor fallible mortals trying to understand his will have about as much chance as a baby trying to figure out its parents motivation for their actions (or lack thereof). We do what we can with what we have, and if God is truly compassionate then he understands, and if he doesn't then to quote Kingdom of Heaven "then He is not God, and we need not worry"
But anyway, I'm really just trying to get ideas from brothers who have done things in their lodges and noticed an impact. Failed programs are still good info. Then I can dig down and find out the root causes and the 'why' of how it worked, or didn't work, and then come back with ideas based on that data.
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Post by peter2 on May 20, 2016 3:55:07 GMT
>us poor fallible mortals trying to understand his will have about as much chance as a baby
I consider this quite central to Masonry.
The existence of the Supreme Being implies there is a Divine Plan, and that the brethren have some obligation to contribute as best they can.
This is reflected in the Freemasons' temple extending from E to W and N to S and from the center/surface of the Earth to the Heavens.
Masons ought not to operate in that temple unless they have some sense of the Divine Plan.
Perhaps that is why it is very difficult to find any description of the work of the MM
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