It is clear that there is a wide and diverse opinion of what Freemasonry actually is, and what could or should be done to arrest a membership that is slowly leaking away. It is probable that the two issues are linked. Outside my Masonic activities I am actively involved in working with organizations that are struggling to understand how they arrived at their current position and to help them devise actions which will create their desired future. If the question ‘what is the central critical purpose of this organization’ is posed to a Board of Directors, a wide difference of opinion usually emerges.
     Most organizations can agree on a range of aims and objectives but universal agreement on the one central critical objective is rare. Why is this important?
     Well, without this how does an organization know what form success takes for them? How does it know who best to recruit, what decisions to make, and what course to chart? Organizations are, after all, only groups of people pursuing common goals.
     Knowing the Central Purpose Over time, an organization’s aims and objectives can become blurred. Methods of achieving stated objectives become points of disagreement. For example, if the central critical purpose of Freemasonry is to build an organization of men of high moral integrity, committed to self development and developing like minded men via a system based upon initiation, then, how the craft is explained to potential members would take a certain form and contain specific messages.
     These messages would differ considerably from an organization whose central critical purpose was purely to raise membership, or large amounts of money to work for charitable purposes, or to become an exclusive dining club.
     Knowing the central purpose of an organization is important because it sets expectations in the minds of new members. It is the cornerstone on which the superstructure rests. I would strongly suggest that the main reason people leave any organization is that it fails to deliver against expectations.
     In Freemasonry, attracting new members does not seem to be the real issue; retaining members seems to be the problem - expectations not met perhaps?
     Another aspect of an organization’s survival is its uniqueness. What can it offer the individual that is different? In the case of Freemasonry the answer to this is perhaps easier to address. Does it seek to improve the morals of men in society? Yes. Is it inclusive of race, creed and colour? Yes. Does it seek to raise money and distribute it to good causes? Yes. Does it encourage social interaction and support for the wider community? Yes. But are any of these aims unique to Freemasonry? No.
     And there’s the rub. I do not have to engage with Freemasonry to fulfill these aims.
     However, Freemasonry does have something totally unique. In addition to the good works mentioned above, it is also a fantastically rich initiatory system of self improvement for members who are coached through it by people who understand. And, it doesn’t really matter if a prospective member has read the latest exposé in a book or on the web because it is the direct experience that matters.

The Place for Spirituality

This brings us to the question of spirituality. Let us be clear about one thing: there is no automatic link between religion and spirituality. Can religious ceremony create feelings of spirituality? Yes. Can Masonic ritual invoke feelings of spirituality? Yes. Can mountains, lakes, and deserts, for example, conjure up feelings of deep spirituality? Yes.
     I would argue, therefore, that in order to maximise the learning experience of the Candidate we should be actively aiming to create a sense of spirituality in our rituals. Otherwise what are we doing?
     The process of initiation delivers the learning aided by our ability to bring solemnity and spirituality to our proceedings. Our Ritual is our jewel in the crown. As we progress in delivering the ritual, so we learn; and it is not just in the words! It is a subtle and sublimely crafted system created by people who really knew what they were doing. The delivery of meaningful ritual is perhaps the central critical purpose of Freemasonry. From this purpose, brotherly love, relief and truth naturally follow.

Freemasonry’s Uniqueness

This is not the place to dwell on ‘the right way’ the ritual should be delivered, but it is the place to consider its importance in relation to the membership and organizational growth. If the delivery of unique direct experience and the message of self development are not at the core of our being, then we will continue to attract people who are there for other reasons.
     If we don’t emphasize that self development will occur not only through initiation but by moving through the lodge system and delivering the ritual, then we will continue to attract people who want a club that requires no effort.
     ‘People don’t have the time these days’ is a common reason for leaving or not joining the Craft but I strongly suggest that time is not the issue. Let me explain. Golf is popular pastime. It takes a lot of time and money: joining the club, paying fees, taking lessons to improve their game and not to mention the hours spent on the course. And yet, I read nothing in the press about the Professional Golfer’s Association seeking to speed up the game because players don’t have the time or that life is very stressful these days! The point is that players make time for golf. They know what they are getting and they want to be a part of it.
     Freemasonry must build its strong message based upon our uniqueness. We can be open and confident that Freemasonry can deliver things that the modern world is craving and that no other organization can offer. That through the direct experience of the lodge system Freemasonry offers self development not linked to the materialistic world or its often superficial goals, opportunities to help the wider community and, dare I say it, enjoyment and brotherhood.
     Boldness is required: this strong message needs to be delivered to the masonic and non-masonic world with pride.

Psychologist Derek Bain MA was initiated into St. Peter’s Lodge, No. 481, in Newcastle by his father in 1976. He recently saw his son initiated into the same lodge.