Return of the Fourth Ruffian

Another controversial opinion piece from our resident Fourth Ruffian!

Changing face of Freemasonry

In the relatively short time, I have been in Masonry I have noticed a change in the demographics of Lodge brethren.

It seems from listening to the “old guard” that, in the past, many brethren had their own companies or held positions deemed middle to senior management in businesses where the number of management layers were a lot of more than there are today. This meant that they were able to manage their time better than many brethren can today. Also, they had more time outside of work as there was a lot less to call upon their spare time.

Their working day was a lot more rigid with typical hours being 9 to 5, Monday to Friday only. At that time, there was no internet nor mobile devices, so working outside the business premises was limited if not non-existent.

Quite a few are now long retired, so have time on their hands for things like Freemasonry. I would suggest this “old guard” do not understand or comprehend today’s pressures which can limit the amount of time brethren can give to Freemasonry.

As we attract younger members, a lot are still working men, a number with their own businesses, key management roles, positions of responsibility with a lot fewer people in the company hierarchy to help shoulder the burden. Across all businesses these days, it seems there is an expectation that a smaller workforce will take more on, and work more hours to keep the company afloat.

Another factor is distance working brethren must travel as part of their job. Also, we have to consider mobile devices and the internet and how this extends their working hours/days/week and how this impinges on their non-work time.

This means together with other calls on their time such as young families, their time for Masonry can be limited, restricted.

In most cases, these younger, newer masons are keen to progress, but find the early starts of lodge meetings and the need to learn (in some cases) long pieces of ritual, difficult to manage and for some it is off-putting. It can become a barrier to attending and even carrying on being a member.

Maybe Freemasonry (that’s ALL of us) needs to accept these advancements in technology and how it has changed society and be willing to change, be flexible and accommodating to these new life styles so that members can still participate, but with flexibility built into their Freemasonry.

Thinking outside the box, maybe we need to consider ideas like:

·         Holding the festive board first, then holding the lodge meeting;

·         All reports are circulated via email before the meeting so there are no reports when there is a ceremony to carry out;

·         Appoint assistants to the posts of JD, SD, JW and SW, so that each officer alternates their role between themselves so that the work is halved;

·         Share all the ritual work between all brethren (EA to Past Master) in the Lodge;

·         Hold LOIs via Zoom – you can set it up so if people cannot just turn up, they have to be admitted to the meeting so it can be tyled;

·         Hold at least one lengthy meeting (maybe an installation, first or third degree) on a weekend to alleviate the issue of workers rushing to get home, changed and get to the lodge on time;

·         Start later and have fewer toasts and speeches at the festive board or only have toasts and speeches at every other meeting;

·         Using crib cards is OK, and is to be accepted by all brethren young and old – as long as at the LOI and LOR fellow officers are fully awarethat parts of the ritual will be read by an individual or individuals during the ceremony in the temple.

I personally think some of the things done in the temple should remain as they are,  such as parading in and the singing as it all adds to the grandiose of the evening.

What are your thoughts?