tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post1755859688982743367..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: "Don't Get On That Shuttle Again!"Christopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-2224320062811969362015-12-03T14:48:58.789-05:002015-12-03T14:48:58.789-05:00Thanks for mentioning my blog article Brother Chri...Thanks for mentioning my blog article Brother Chris! I wrote something similar some years ago about Masonic membership. I do think that churches, civic groups and Freemasonry have some of the same membership issue in common and make some of the same mistakes with focusing on numbers instead of quality. <br /><br />Timothy Bonney, PM<br />Master Elect<br />Morningside Lodge No. 615 A.F.&A.M.<br />Sioux City, Iowa<br />Tim Bonneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792643283804341712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-52204257660537039652015-12-03T04:05:04.164-05:002015-12-03T04:05:04.164-05:00The preoccupation with "bums on seats" a...The preoccupation with "bums on seats" as we Brits say is indeed what is killing both mainline Protestantism and, to a certain extent, Freemasonry. The requirements that Freemasonry makes upon Brethren, especially of time, mean that many men join and then find that they cannot offer the amount of time required. Then the lack of people, or the number who join and then leave, arguably makes those remaining nervous. It's natural.<br /><br />I have had various brethren moan about not enough initiates/joining members, and yet at least one of them has two sons, one of whom is an inactive MM, the other of whom has expressed an interest in the past. He hasn't seriously tried to bring them in. The key to healthy expansion is to have a steady stream of joiners and initiates, and ensuring that men know that one is a Freemason and that the Brother is someone who is an upright man and worth emulating.<br /><br />W.Bro. Chris HansenChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06534842755063770798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-15884845958475943122015-12-02T22:37:22.761-05:002015-12-02T22:37:22.761-05:00Good article. The author's comment about the d...Good article. The author's comment about the difference between a Disciple and Member reminded me of the difference between a Freemason (member of the Fraternity) and Mason (member who applies the Craft teachings to his daily life). A Brother has the freedom to choose which is best for him and all those who have a claim upon him.<br /><br />Membership is important, but good outstanding Leadership is even more important, because it will inspire men to greatness, it will attract men to it's ranks, it will instill confidence, restore virtue, nourish hope, replace fear, overcome vices, and cause men to care more about the welfare of others besides just themselves.<br /><br />This type of Leadership is still present today in some Houses of Worship, in some Fraternal Organizations, and on the Battlefield. When you see it, you want to emulate it and tell others about it, not just by words, but by virtuous actions. <br />Our Virtuous actions will attract good men to our ranks.<br /><br />Bro. Thomas Johnson, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Colorado.☺<br /><br /><br />Thomas Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16496528868148315705noreply@blogger.com