THIS Makes Freemasonry a True Brotherhood
Are you one of the many Masons who only experiences the fraternity for a few hours each month, wondering why the promise of “brotherhood” feels more like a casual acquaintance?
Freemasonry promises a deep, meaningful brotherhood where our three grand principles are all centered around this. Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth. These three principles require a connection that goes beyond the superficial. Yet, for many Masons, the reality falls short of this promise.
Our monthly lodge meetings, while important, often fail to foster the deep connections and true brotherhood that Freemasonry is meant to provide. There's a palpable gap between the ideals of Masonic brotherhood and the experiences of many members who limit their involvement to these infrequent gatherings.
In this edition of Daily Masonic Progress, I will cover:
How can we transform from casual acquaintances to true brotherhood,
If you are sabotaging your growth by focusing solely on monthly meetings,
Why Masonic education should not be done at a Regular Meeting
Whether the key to a thriving lodge lies beyond its four walls
How can we transform casual acquaintances into true brotherhood?
The answer might lie in a principle known as the 7-11-4 rule. This concept, originally from a Google study, suggests that to build a meaningful relationship, you need seven hours of engagement across eleven pieces of content in four different locations.
In the Masonic context, this rule provides a framework for creating deeper connections among brothers. It emphasizes that true brotherhood requires more than just showing up to monthly meetings. Instead, it calls for varied and frequent interactions in different settings.
Applying this rule to Freemasonry means we need to create multiple touchpoints for brethren to interact. Our formal lodge meetings serve as one location, but we need to expand beyond this. The rehearsal night can serve as a second location. Instead of having non-participating members sit idly during rehearsals or staying at home, we can use this time for Masonic education and study groups.
For the third location, consider organizing study groups that meet in members' homes. These gatherings can focus on exploring Masonic symbolism, discussing the lessons contained in our rituals, or even working through the questions in the proficiency cards. Encourage members to bring food to share, turning the occasion into a social event as well as an educational one.
The fourth location could be visiting other lodges. Aim to visit another lodge at least once a month. This doesn't mean attending 31 different lodges each month, but rather making a concerted effort to step outside your home lodge regularly.
By diversifying our interactions in this way, we create more opportunities for brothers to connect, learn, and grow together. We're not asking brothers to commit more time - we're simply making better use of the time they've already set aside for Freemasonry, while also encouraging them to bring Masonry into their daily lives.
This approach addresses a common issue in many lodges - the superficial nature of relationships formed solely through monthly meetings. By implementing the 7-11-4 rule, we can transform these casual acquaintances into deep, meaningful brotherly bonds. We're living up to the charge to make daily progress in Masonic knowledge, while also building the friendships that are at the heart of our fraternity.
Now that we understand the need for multiple touchpoints, are you unknowingly sabotaging your lodge's growth by focusing solely on monthly meetings?
What if the key to stronger brotherhood is already in your lodge calendar? Many lodges are unknowingly sabotaging their growth by not fully utilizing the time they already have allocated for Masonic activities. One often overlooked opportunity is the rehearsal night.
Rehearsals are typically seen as a time for officers to practice ritual, but they can be so much more. Instead of having non-participating members sit idly, why not use this time for Masonic education and study groups?
Imagine a scenario where officers are rehearsing in the lodge room, while apprentices gather in one corner of the ante room and fellow crafts in another. A well-skilled brother could lead a discussion about the first tracing board with the apprentices, delving deep into its symbolism and lessons. This approach provides a more interactive and engaging experience than simply listening to a lecture during a formal meeting.
By maximizing the use of rehearsal nights, we're not asking brothers to commit more time - we're simply making better use of the time they've already set aside for Freemasonry. This approach increases engagement, provides more opportunities for Masonic education, and helps build those crucial relationships that form the backbone of true Masonic brotherhood.
By maximizing rehearsal nights, we've added another touchpoint for Masonic interaction. But Masonic education should not be done at regular meetings.
Can the path to Masonic enlightenment lead through your living room? One of the most effective ways to build deeper Masonic relationships is by creating casual, intimate settings for brothers to interact and learn together.
Consider organizing study groups that meet in members' homes. These gatherings can focus on exploring Masonic symbolism, discussing the lessons contained in our rituals, or even working through the questions in the proficiency cards. The key is to create an environment that's more relaxed and conducive to open discussion than a formal lodge setting.
These home study groups don't have to be all work and no play. Encourage members to bring food to share, turning the occasion into a social event as well as an educational one. This combination of learning and socializing helps forge stronger bonds between brothers, moving beyond the formal relationships often formed in lodge to create true friendships.
By bringing Masonry into our homes and daily lives, we're living up to the charge to make daily progress in Masonic knowledge. We're also creating those additional touchpoints necessary for building strong relationships, as outlined in the 7-11-4 rule.
We've expanded our Masonic experience beyond the lodge room and into our homes, but what if the secret to strengthening your lodge lies in leaving it?
One of the most enriching Masonic experiences, often overlooked, is visiting other lodges. This practice not only broadens a Mason's perspective but also strengthens the bonds of brotherhood across the wider Masonic community.
Encourage your members to visit other lodges at least once a month. This doesn't mean attending 31 different lodges each month, but rather making a concerted effort to step outside your home lodge regularly. By doing so, Masons expose themselves to different ways of performing ritual, various approaches to Masonic education, and diverse perspectives on Masonic philosophy.
Visitation also provides an opportunity to build friendships beyond your immediate lodge circle. These connections can be invaluable, both for personal growth and for the vitality of your home lodge. New ideas, fresh perspectives, and renewed enthusiasm often result from these visits, all of which can be brought back to energize your own lodge.
Moreover, traveling as a group to visit other lodges can be a bonding experience in itself. The shared journey, the anticipation of experiencing a different lodge, and the discussions that inevitably follow all contribute to strengthening the bonds between brothers.
Realizing the Promise of Masonic Brotherhood
The gap between Freemasonry's promise of deep, meaningful brotherhood and the reality of superficial connections can be bridged. By implementing the 7-11-4 rule, we create multiple touchpoints for genuine interaction. Maximizing existing lodge time transforms mundane rehearsals into opportunities for growth and bonding. Casual study groups bring Masonry into our daily lives, fostering intimate connections. Encouraging visitation broadens our Masonic horizons and strengthens our fraternal network.
These practices, when combined, shatter the limitations of monthly meetings. They create a Masonic experience that's rich, fulfilling, and true to our ideals. No longer are we casual acquaintances meeting briefly each month. Instead, we become a brotherhood of men actively engaged in each other's Masonic journeys.
Remember, Freemasonry isn't just about self-improvement—it's about forging bonds that withstand the test of time. By embracing these practices, we don't just improve ourselves; we elevate our entire fraternity.
The choice is clear: remain a face in the crowd at monthly meetings, or become an integral part of a living, breathing brotherhood. Which path will you choose? Your decision doesn't just shape your Masonic journey—it defines the future of our craft.