Have you witnessed a JW run against a SW for the East?
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- Thread starter Blake Bowden
- Start date
Is it more important to follow tradition or what better serves the Lodge?
Yes- not in my home Lodge, though (thank goodness!). SW won. I agree with LRG.
No man should advance in Masonry by right. It should be based on what is best for Masonry.
fairbanks1363pm
Registered User
unfortunately 2 times.
ideally, the obvious answer is obvious, but that never happens.
This is something that has been brought up in may topics of discussion. If a man is better served to lead the lodge then that is who should sit in the east. Not everyone is able to lead just as not everyone is not made to follow.
I think this is a huge issue with Texas Masonry and we suffer because one feels it is their right to sit in the east if they were in the west the previous year but who does that help? I know at 148 that tradition is GONE. We had a SW drop out because he was instructed that he would not advance unless he showed the Lodge he could lead and make decisions. He got his feelings hurt and left which in my opinion further showed that he wasn't ready to sit in the East because his ego was still a factor.
However at my other Lodge this would not fly but I am telling you that lodge suffers because of this and inefective leaders when a troubled lodge needs good leadership and not a puppet.
I think this is a huge issue with Texas Masonry and we suffer because one feels it is their right to sit in the east if they were in the west the previous year but who does that help? I know at 148 that tradition is GONE. We had a SW drop out because he was instructed that he would not advance unless he showed the Lodge he could lead and make decisions. He got his feelings hurt and left which in my opinion further showed that he wasn't ready to sit in the East because his ego was still a factor.
However at my other Lodge this would not fly but I am telling you that lodge suffers because of this and inefective leaders when a troubled lodge needs good leadership and not a puppet.
JBD
Premium Member
Have not seen a JW challenge the SW, but have seen Sec challenge SW for East.
I agree it is uncomfortable, it is ONLY tradition that the SW goes to the East; were it otherwise then why ask for nominations? Why have elections, just have coronations.
Just as in all things, the Lodge MUST come first, and egos second. There are, as stated previously, those who can lead and those who cannot. The beauty of the Lodge is we can utilize the talents of all the Brothers.
I agree it is uncomfortable, it is ONLY tradition that the SW goes to the East; were it otherwise then why ask for nominations? Why have elections, just have coronations.
Just as in all things, the Lodge MUST come first, and egos second. There are, as stated previously, those who can lead and those who cannot. The beauty of the Lodge is we can utilize the talents of all the Brothers.
Speaking of leadership, how much ritualistic abilities should one possess to become Master of his lodge? In many lodges, mine included, a Brother who can perform degree work is considered to be an expert on everything. As a result, ritualists tend to "run" our lodges. This is not good in all situations. I consider myself proficient in conferring degrees, but, when it comes to making a budget, or selecting someone to put a roof on the lodge I am simply not your man. What I am really asking, not counting moral fitness, what are the qualifications a Brother should possess to advance, especially to the East?
I believe each Lodge is different and should be treated as such. I believe that the Lodge should have someone that can at least do his required duty as far as ritual work. Open Close all three Lodges, Lodge of sorrow, etc. I would like to see a person that is knowledgable to the Law and where to find it if he is not. That is what esoterically a Brother should be able to do before going to the East at minimum. There are a ton more but the whole time of going through the line up the Brother should be getting tried.
Agreed- that is the idea of certifying the WM-elect. I've been in too many Lodges where the WM had to be prompted all the way through opening & closing- it's horrible!
That should be learned by the Brother when he serves as JW, if not sooner, and should be a requirement to become SW.
Amen! In each office, the Brother should be being evaluated by his Brethren & should be learning the job of the next office. Only if he is competent in the office he holds, is reasonably knowledgeable regarding the next position in line, and demonstrates a modicum of leadership should he be allowed to advance. The line is not and never was intended to be "progressive". Advancement should be earned, not given.
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I agree, however as with my Lodge, we have many members but only a few active members. I myself am guilty of not being at Lodge on every occassion as I should be. So you have new members that jump straight into a chair whereas it should take up to 7 or 8 years to get to the South they are now getting there in one or two. The reason the process is supposed to take time is so that a Brother may become proficient in the work. A Brother may become proficient in all the work after a couple of years, but I've not met one. But anyway, I'm getting way off subject and in answer to the original post------no, I've not seen it happen here.
Nate Riley
Premium Member
I agree that we should have a good leader in the east, but for the good of Masonry, the determination of his abilities to lead should be determined when he is nominated for the south. If the brother has served a proper time in the kitchen and as the Jr. and Sr. Deacon, the brethren should be able to make an informed decision is he has the ability to lead the lodge in three years by the job he has done and his commitment to the lodge in those roles.
Its just easier to swallow a contest for the south, than a contest for the east.
Its just easier to swallow a contest for the south, than a contest for the east.
Wingnut
Premium Member
Promotion by ability to breath needs to be done away with. Nothing gets me madder than someone moving through the chairs and to the east that shouldnt. Example: steward never comes to a meeting... JD next year! JD hasnt been seen since installation but moves to SD etc. "Dang why is our lodge dying?"
It's doable if the desire is there. Not to brag, but I got my "C" a little over 1 year after I was raised and my "B" in less than 6 months after that. (I DID screw around for 4 more years before getting my "A", though!
)
In a perfect world, I'd agree. The problem is that things tend to change in a Brother's life, especially with you young guys.
Y'all are just getting started in your careers & get transferred or change jobs, or need to work extra hours to get ahead (or stay even). Then a long-haired, soft-bodied, sweet-smellin' young thing comes along and, next thing you know, you're married & have kids. Your priorities change and you just don't have time for things like Lodge. I'm not criticizing- your family & usual vocation (in that order) SHOULD take precedence over everything else. If you're in the line and this happens to you, you should voluntarily step aside until later in life, when you'll (hopefully) have the time to devote to doing a good job for your Lodge. No one will think less of you for doing so- rather, they will respect you for putting the welfare of your Lodge ahead of your ego.
AMEN! As I stated earlier, advancement should not & was never intended to be automatic. If a Brother doesn't come to Lodge or does but doesn't do his job properly, why should we think that a promotion will make things better?