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Millenials in Freemasonry
- Thread starter Glen Cook
- Start date
Companion Joe
Premium Member
I find it interesting they start meetings at 4 p.m.
As a general rule, I balk at anything saying we need to change to suit/lure anyone. Either they want to be Masons, or they don't. Freemasonry isn't Burger King; you don't get it your way. Freemasonry is a fine meal where the chef doesn't do substitutions. If the price or methods of Freemasonry don't suit you, then you probably aren't suited for Freemasonry. There are plenty of alternative organizations. Find one that fits what you seek.
As a general rule, I balk at anything saying we need to change to suit/lure anyone. Either they want to be Masons, or they don't. Freemasonry isn't Burger King; you don't get it your way. Freemasonry is a fine meal where the chef doesn't do substitutions. If the price or methods of Freemasonry don't suit you, then you probably aren't suited for Freemasonry. There are plenty of alternative organizations. Find one that fits what you seek.
Ethan W
Premium Member
As a millennial, I found this to be a very good read. I can understand where a lot of them are coming from. I'm glad to see this.
Sent from my XT1254 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app
Sent from my XT1254 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app
JJones
Moderator
I'm a millennial as well and I enjoyed reading this.
I can't speak for all millennials, ofcourse, but I believe the trend isn't to try and 'change' Freemasonry so much as it is to improve the quality of what we have. I'm talking about changes like meals more appealing than chili dogs, officers that know their lines, well rehearsed degrees, more education at stated meetings and less reading of minutes and communications, as so forth.
I can't speak for all millennials, ofcourse, but I believe the trend isn't to try and 'change' Freemasonry so much as it is to improve the quality of what we have. I'm talking about changes like meals more appealing than chili dogs, officers that know their lines, well rehearsed degrees, more education at stated meetings and less reading of minutes and communications, as so forth.
Ethan W
Premium Member
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
I can agree with all of this.
Companion Joe
Premium Member
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I'm all for better meals and people doing the ritual correctly. As our lodge historian and a member of the GL Education Committee, I'm all for good Masonic education. I don't mind the reading of minutes and communications I guess because I'm used to it in every body I belong to and because our stated business meetings are just that ... meetings to conduct the business of the lodge. We don't do degree work on business nights, and we don't do business on degree nights.
My earlier comment was geared more toward anyone calling for Masonry to be made "more convenient and easier for ME."
You bring up an excellent point. One which I believe lies beneath much of the current debate over the direction that Freemasonry should take. That point is "Should Masons serve Freemasonry or should Freemasonry serve Masons?".
JJones
Moderator
In that context I agree with you 100%.
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
I agree with this too!
Ripcord22A
Site Benefactor
Companion Joe
Premium Member
I have done dozens of investigations over the years, and I always ask the petitioner what he can contribute to Freemasonry, not what he expects to get out of it. (I do ask why they want to be a Mason, though.)
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Just curious, what is the most common answer?
Companion Joe
Premium Member
Most of the time it's along the lines of service to an organization. I'd say close to 3/4ths of our members are veterans, so being part of something bigger than yourself seems to be important.
Bloke
Premium Member
I'd probably echo that. One of the major points I said I was curious
I was *really* worried about how much time it would take and I, for one, definitely did not want to get involved in any charitable activities - I was already engaged in a lot of that.... it's how I came to the craft....I am a big believer in change and was a foundation member of a lodge called "Evolution" which was focused on men under 45. At 34, I feel like one of the oldies there LOL. It was founded to "evolve" Freemasonry for younger guys with busy lives. We make it work by always trying new things, involving families when possible. To get us together, the only time which works is Sunday at 9 am. We meet 6 pm Saturdays.
The sort of article in the OP i being written all over the world at the moment. I like the points made in this one
https://olympia1.org/2015/08/12/cultural-adaptation/ if the link goes dead, it is also here http://www.lodgedevotion.net/devotionnews/education-editorial-articles/cultural-adaptation-2015-11
Raymond Walters
Premium Member
Thank you. I have shared this to a number of discussion groups on social media, and the feedback has been positive about his message in this presentation.
Bloke
Premium Member
Only thing is like to see changed is old opinions of what type of man wew should let in. And i don't mean morals I mean like if they have tattoos , earring and some lodges maybe even color. Diversity makes better lodges. Don't matter what we look like aslong as we are good masons.
Bloke
Premium Member
Barriers like that do not exist here.