Masonic Membership Statistics, Should be we concerned?

[scialytic]

Let's start a Masonic reading group...right now. Fire up a blog and we'll pick a book and go that route. I'd recommend something straight forward and and historical like the Cooke Manuscript or something that is easily accessible and see how that goes. Get her going and pick something to read and let's discuss! Brilliant idea!

 

[chrmc]

I could see someone like me becoming disinterested with Masonry if there wasn't something there to anchor them down. Maybe some of the people leaving are doing so due to boredom or lack of appeal. I've been developing a list of a lot of different things I'd like to see or try to encourage if I ever get to spend any time in the East. They're simple things, and they would spur discussion. I feel that that is one of the facets of Masonry that has kind of fallen away over time (but again, I can't say for certain). I get that a lot of it is a journey of the Self -- of discovery and making yourself better. But why can't we focus on that as a whole just a bit more?

I think there is a lot of truth to that especially in this fast paced world we live in. One of my brothers usually say that "if it's easy to get, and cheap to maintain" people have a tendency to loose interest. I've long believed that it's far to easy to become a MM these days, and actually think that most members wouldn't mind for it to be something that had to strive more for. Most of us join masonry to obtain more light and grow as men, but is that really what the journey to becoming a master mason does these days? Probably to some extent, but I think it could easily be made more valuable.

The paper from the Knights of the North was mentioned earlier and I can only suggest everyone to read it. It really hits home on many of the challenges facing the craft today.

But to the original question which was whether we should be worried about the decline in membership I have to say both yes and no. Many lodges unfortunately own expensive buildings, many in need of repair. To make the finances balance a certain amount of dues have to come in. So if that is the case, there is cause to worry.
But for the craft as a whole I wouldn't worry to much. Masonry has been around in one form or another for many, many years and will survive even if we miss a generation or two. I do however personally feel that masonry makes men better, and that consecutively make the whole world better, so in that sense each brother that we don't manage to raise is a loss for humanity.

 

[widows son]

More esoteric education! This is a huge aspect being neglected! Gen-X/Gen- Y aren't getting the same education that the previous generations did. For those masons who don't buy in to it, I say look at the craft and tell me how it's nothing.

 

[JJones]

Let's start a Masonic reading group...right now. Fire up a blog and we'll pick a book and go that route. I'd recommend something straight forward and and historical like the Cooke Manuscript or something that is easily accessible and see how that goes. Get her going and pick something to read and let's discuss! Brilliant idea!

I'd be on board with that, especially if we could start with the classics that can be found online.

 

[cemab4y]

I believe that part of the solution, is for all Masons to realize, that Masonry is a "work in progress". The work in our quarries never ends. We need to see how we can enhance the Masonic experience, and make Masonry more relevant to younger men. We also need to see what we can cut out, and trim. Grand Lodges used to run orphanges. Nearly all of them are closed, and Masonry did not suffer. We brought in electric lights, air conditioning, carpeting, etc. and we still kept true to the ancient landmarks.

 

[scialytic]

I actually wanted to throw out a change in my thoughts. I am actually thinking that it is the Baby Boomers that will be and are driving many of our changes. We have to be realistic X and Y'ers, the only thinkg that we can do currently is influence and advise those in power (which is what is kind of going on at the Grand Lodge level, if you think about it).

Our Most Worshipful (2013) is on the cusp of being a Baby Boom (he was born in 1944 and 1946 is technically the inclusion year). Those that are supporting them are primarily Baby Boomers. They are next in line. I think that once this begins to happen consistently that there will be a paradigm shift (as much as possible in Freemasonry without innovation).

You Brothers are absolutely right! The GenX & Gen-Yers need to learn the history, work and over-arching purposes of our Craft. This will not only allow us to carry on the most esteemed tradition of Freemasonry, but also provoke the excited through further learning and understanding within our Craft Lodges. For this is where we will start making the first impacts and evidence of our labors with Brethren of all generations building us up and admonishing us to walk upright, etc.

Sorry for the change to my train-of-thought. I was just thinking about things and realized that what we were discussing is very possible at the local level.

It is important to note: If Gen-X & Gen-Yers want to make an impact or influence anything in the near-future at the Grand Lodge level, it is important to be cognizant that the only way that will be possible--will be by permission of the power base--The Baby Boomers! <Daa-Daa-DAAAAAAA>

 

[widows son]

True. The new gens are going to need the assistance of the former. As far as numbers consider this. St Mary's chapel lodge in Scotland has meeting minutes going back to 1598. On the subject of membership decline, the grand curator for the GL of Scotland says that viewing the records of St. Mary's lodge, you can see an ebb and flow of membership influx and decline. And since the records go back that far you can see the pattern. He says there were times when there was no influx at all for years. Then a boom. Then a decline. Plus wars, persecution etc, help this ebb and flow, and we're still here. Freemasonry will live forever. I think even through an apocalypse, men will still survive, and eventually come across other men, who are masons. Look at WW2 in Europe. Masony was virtually wiped out. But even in concentration camps it survived.
Another thing I'm concerned with, which has been mentioned on here already is, getting men to the third degree as quick as possible. Id rather have a lodge with 7 guys, who are true masons, than having a full lodge with guys who are there to fill seats. I know that because its on your own free will and accord, that the man has a vested interest in being there, and wants to be there, but to be rushed just to be a MM isn't right. In ancient time initiatic fraternities had a 3 year waiting period in between grades. Not saying that 3 years should be the time frame, but there should be ample time to contemplate each degree and give the candidate an opportunity to full understand what he went through. I had about 3 months from EA to FC and 4 months from FC to MM. That was a good amount of time for me. Not saying that I k ow everything, but enough time for me to grasp what I went through. All lodges could benefit from this. Sorry for the rant.

 

[cemab4y]

Re: Masonic Membership Statistics, Should be we co

Here are the stats for 2012. Also bad.

[h=2]U.S. Grand Lodges Membership[/h][h=2][/h]

STATE	MEMBERSHIP 2011	MEMBERSHIP 2012	GAIN/LOSS
ALABAMA *	27,576	27,654	78
ALASKA	1,868	1,820	-48
ARIZONA	8,263	8,000	-263
ARKANSAS *	12,005	13,042	1,037
CALIFORNIA *	57,250	63,546	6,296
COLORADO	9,320	8,885	-435
CONNECTICUT	12,423	11,778	-645
DELAWARE	4,997	4,910	-87
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA *	4,424	4,438	14
FLORIDA	44,437	42,959	-1478
GEORGIA	42,297	41,255	-1042
HAWAII	1,806	1,778	-28
IDAHO	3,832	3,682	-150
ILLINOIS	66,347	65,781	-566
INDIANA	62,968	60,449	-2519
IOWA	20,844	20,203	-641
KANSAS	22,004	21,225	-779
KENTUCKY	45,275	43,658	-1617
LOUISIANA	20,482	20,404	-78
MAINE	21,033	19,860	-1173
MARYLAND *	15,998	16,146	148
MASSACHUSETTS	35,333	33,048	-2285
MICHIGAN	36,172	34,686	-1486
MINNESOTA	14,084	13,587	-497
MISSISSIPPI	18,689	18,063	-626
MISSOURI	50,415	45,850	-4565
MONTANA	5,773	5,597	-176
NEBRASKA	12,271	11,895	-376
NEVADA	4,168	4,163	-5
NEW HAMPSHIRE	6,681	6,496	-185
NEW JERSEY	23,209	22,523	-686
NEW MEXICO	5,590	5,389	-201
NEW YORK	44,776	42,669	-2107
NORTH CAROLINA	43,644	43,112	-532
NORTH DAKOTA	2,927	2,876	-51
OHIO	101,929	94,867	-7062
OKLAHOMA	24,068	23,842	-226
OREGON	9,203	8,946	-257
PENNSYLVANIA	111,661	108,758	-2903
RHODE ISLAND	4,161	3,573	-588
SOUTH CAROLINA	38,853	37,811	-1.042
SOUTH DAKOTA	5,902	5,679	-223
TENNESSEE	43,015	41,780	-1235
TEXAS *	88,896	93,188	4292
UTAH *	2,034	2,057	23
VERMONT	6,299	5,855	-444
VIRGINIA	38,008	37,177	-831
WASHINGTON	16,110	15,450	-660
WEST VIRGINIA	21,242	20,808	-434
WISCONSIN	12,165	11,742	-423
WYOMING	3,776	3,579	-197
Total	1,336,503	1,306,539	-29,964

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[cemab4y]

Re: Masonic Membership Statistics, Should be we co

I am delighted to see that Texas and California are growing! What is your secret? And can other grand Lodges pick up on your ideas?