THE CRAFT DRIVEN LODGE · provide an understanding of the ritual; the words, phrases and more...
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Page 6 • 2nd Qtr. 2016 THE CRAFT DRIVEN LODGE Book Review By Stephen Hill, FPS Author – Danial D. Hrinko Publisher – Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc. Published – 2014 After joining the Ohio Lodge of Research and beginning to read the works of authors like Carl Claudy and Albert Mackey, Daniel Hrinko began to realize that his lodge, the lodge where he served two separate terms as worshipful master, had failed him. Hrinko quickly learned the ritual and performed it as man- dated by the grand lodge, without additions, deletions or variations, and with all of the required actions and gestures done at the appropriate time. What his lodge failed to do is provide an understanding of the ritual; the words, phrases and more importantly the lessons contained in the ritual. This failure gave birth to the concept of the Craft Driven Lodge. A lodge where every member has a voice in lodge op- erations, understands the lodge’s vision and has an active role in the lodge. In the traditional lodge the worshipful master places the de- signs for “his year” on the trestle board. Conversely, in the Craft Driven Lodge the members of the lodge are the “Board of Directors” who establish the goals and activities for the up- coming year, while the worshipful master is the “CEO,” the person responsible for ensuring that the board of director’s plans are carried out. However, in the end the worshipful master is still responsible for ensuring that the rules, regula- tions and requirements of the grand lodge are obeyed. In the first section of the book Hrinko introduces the concept and the four key principles of the Craft Driven Lodge. Section two is a case study that explains how Arts & Sciences Lodge No. 792 applied the concept and principles presented in the first section. Arts & Sciences Lodge No. 792 was started by a group of brothers who enjoy stimulating Masonic discussion and the in-depth study of speculative masonry. They put formal practices in place to ensure each member has a voice in how the lodge operates. For example, their annual meeting starts with an evaluation of the quality of the past year’s Masonic experience. The annual meeting closes with a discussion of the goals, and activities the members want in the upcoming year. Brother Hrinko reminds us that not everyone is interested in the same kind of lodge experience, that men come to our fra- ternally for various reasons. Therefore, Arts & Sciences Lodge should not be used as a blue print. He goes on to say “We [Arts & Sciences Lodge] are not ‘better than’ any other lodge. We do not ‘know more’ than any other lodge. We do not do things ‘the right way’ compared to other lodges… There is one claim we should wish to make, if it can be made honestly: the claim to interesting meeting.” The advice of the aged will not mislead you. ---- Welsh Proverb
Transcript of THE CRAFT DRIVEN LODGE · provide an understanding of the ritual; the words, phrases and more...
Page 6 • 2nd Qtr. 2016
THE CRAFT DRIVEN LODGEBook Review By Stephen Hill, FPS
Author – Danial D. HrinkoPublisher – Macoy Publishing &
Masonic Supply Co., Inc.Published – 2014
After joining the Ohio Lodge of Research and beginning to read the works of authors like Carl Claudy and Albert Mackey, Daniel Hrinko began to realize that his lodge, the lodge where he served two separate terms as worshipful master, had failed him.
Hrinko quickly learned the ritual and performed it as man-dated by the grand lodge, without additions, deletions or variations, and with all of the required actions and gestures done at the appropriate time. What his lodge failed to do is provide an understanding of the ritual; the words, phrases and more importantly the lessons contained in the ritual.
This failure gave birth to the concept of the Craft Driven Lodge. A lodge where every member has a voice in lodge op-erations, understands the lodge’s vision and has an active role in the lodge.
In the traditional lodge the worshipful master places the de-signs for “his year” on the trestle board. Conversely, in the Craft Driven Lodge the members of the lodge are the “Board of Directors” who establish the goals and activities for the up-coming year, while the worshipful master is the “CEO,” the person responsible for ensuring that the board of director’s plans are carried out. However, in the end the worshipful master is still responsible for ensuring that the rules, regula-tions and requirements of the grand lodge are obeyed.
In the first section of the book Hrinko introduces the concept and the four key principles of the Craft Driven Lodge. Section two is a case study that explains how Arts & Sciences Lodge No. 792 applied the concept and principles presented in the first section.
Arts & Sciences Lodge No. 792 was started by a group of brothers who enjoy stimulating Masonic discussion and the in-depth study of speculative masonry. They put formal practices in place to ensure each member has a voice in how the lodge operates. For example, their annual meeting starts
with an evaluation of the quality of the past year’s Masonic experience. The annual meeting closes with a discussion of the goals, and activities the members want in the upcoming year.
Brother Hrinko reminds us that not everyone is interested in the same kind of lodge experience, that men come to our fra-ternally for various reasons. Therefore, Arts & Sciences Lodge should not be used as a blue print. He goes on to say “We [Arts & Sciences Lodge] are not ‘better than’ any other lodge. We do not ‘know more’ than any other lodge. We do not do things ‘the right way’ compared to other lodges… There is one claim we should wish to make, if it can be made honestly: the claim to interesting meeting.”
The advice of the aged will not mislead you.
---- Welsh Proverb
