First and foremost, I want to take a moment to
thank everyone who helped out with our Inspection. Especially to the Rocky
River Chapter Eastern Stars for serving an excellent dinner. I’m really looking
forward to the upcoming Table Lodge and More Light Night, and the fellowship
that happens at both of these events (see trestle board).
Some changes have been made and I’m grateful to
everyone for supporting these new ideas. Starting with our investigation committee,
we have returned to home visitations and committee chair Derek Widowson has
been doing an excellent job of coordinating this. Our lodge meals have been
broken up, so that four brothers are taking on the responsibility, instead of
one or two. A very big thank you to Bro Briggs, Johnson, Columbro, and WB
Schultz for making this happen. Be sure to congratulate Bro Jason Briggs if you
see him, as he was elected and installed as our new Junior Deacon. Lastly, in
efforts
to bring further light to the lodge, we have guest
speakers lined up for a special talk once per month. I am very grateful to all
of the distinguished brethren who have agreed to speak and spread the light of
Masonry at John W. Barkley.
The
Pendulum
A recurring theme has been in my thoughts recently
and it keeps finding its way into my conversations. I’m talking about the
nature of the pendulum swing and the lesson that is contained in it. The
pendulum always swings back and forth travelling the same distance from center
in either direction. This can be applied to almost anything. Take the craft for
example, after World War II soldiers returning from war were looking for a
place to find the same camaraderie and brotherhood that they had in service.
Masonry and old, well known fraternity provided that, and our numbers swelled
to all-time highs. As the Baby Boomers came of age, the numbers slowly began to
level off and some even suggest that Masonry skipped a generation.
Now almost 75 years after the Anniversary of the
Bombing at Pearl Harbor, our numbers are dwindling quicker than we can keep up.
This troubles quite a few people and understandably so. But, when we apply the
pendulum to this situation, it quickly becomes clear that this is an inevitable
ebb for the fraternity. The question is then raised of what to do with that?
Should we turn into Degree Mill Lodges that open the doors wide in the West to
admit anyone that comes knocking? Should we be accepting questionably adequate
candidates to qualify for an award?
My suggestion is not to shut the doors altogether,
but instead focus your energies on member retention and engagement and
inclusion of the candidates that you already may have. Being in sales I learned
early, it is far less expensive to keep a customer coming back than to acquire
a new one. If you don’t have these elements taken care of, then you won’t have
anything tangible to offer your new candidates when you find them. A smart
brother told me recently that if you focus on one tree you will never be able
to perceive the forest.
I’m not worried about the future of Freemasonry,
because I understand the pendulum. I think our focus should be on finding ways
to strengthen the foundations of our gentle craft, while we allow the pendulum
to swing as it must. That way when it turns again in favor of fast growth there
will be value and substance to offer.
All things are cyclical in nature.
Scott Clark, Worshipful Master
