Freemasonry is a major contributor to the failure of many churches today from becoming what they set out to be. God withdraws His hand and ear from those congregations whose shepherds have allowed them to become diluted and polluted by having Freemasons as members.
Nobody minds fielding objections, as long as someone has somewhat to support the arguments they make. I haven't forgotten, you were on a thread not so long ago, doing the same thing, making unsubstantiated claims with automatic presumptions that they were true. You are doing the same thing once again. I really can't imagine you have any sort of objectifiable material to support anything you just said, so your comments really contribute nothing but your own subjective criticism, which proves very little if anything at all, and certainly nothing of any substance.
I can add my own subjective material in response, since you seem to consider it a valid approach. When I grew up in my home church, I never knew any of the people there as anything other than Christians, and some very sincere and dedicated ones at that. Years later, when some of these godly men, who had been such a strong Christian influence on myself and many others as well, began to grow old and die, I started noticing in obituaries that mention was made that they had been Masons. So I started keeping my eyes open for it, and noticed that all the men who had been the most dedicated Christian servants in the church, and the ones of the greatest character and influence, were all Masons.
Later, the Lord began to lead me toward joining, but I had had my mind filled with the same kinds of objections that a lot of people have, simply because I had been fed that same information and believed it. Closer investigation began to show me better information, and eventually I joined. I can truthfully say, my ministry has improved since that time. I have served in four separate appointments, two before joining and two after. The appointment I was given immediately after joining, I accomplished more, by the grace of God, in the three years I was there than I did in the five years I spent in the previous appointment. I went to a church that was paying about 25% of their apportioned budget each year, which was in financial shambles after a former treasurer had been suspected of misappropriating church funds, where the pastor was doing some bizarre and unexplainable things, and the daycare had just been reported to DSS.
In the three years there, we got some good people put into place who straightened out the finances and started making regular reports to the administrative council of the church; we put a capable assessor to the task of getting to the heart of what the daycare problems were, which wound up with the director being dismissed and a new one put in place. When I left the church last year for this new appointment, the daycare had a full slate of as many kids that could be allowed in the space available, with a long waiting list of people who wanted their kids in our daycare, the budget and finances of the church were sound, the church had increased their apportioned giving from 25% to about 85%, and attendance had begun to increase, going from an average in the 40's to an average in the 60's. At last report, after talking with the new pastor there recently, the church continues to grow, averaging in the 80's and 90's each Sunday.
At the church here, we have gone from a very inactive church in many ways, to being much more active in both church and community. In fact, a group just departed yesterday who had been at our church for the last ten days using it as sleeping space, while they did some construction work at our neighboring Baptist Church. I was pleased that our people were willing to offer this service across denominational lines to help out our neighbors, for there are a lot of churches who would have had one or more excuses not to extend a helping hand. At our finance committee meeting this month, it was reported that despite our small numbers, we had already met 100% of the budget, and did so in July! Involvement in Sunday School has increased steadily, and this church is beginning to attract visitors to the worship service.
I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for all the good things I see happening, for it is He who gives the increase in all that we do. Contrary to your claims, I am seeing thriving ministries developing in the places where the Lord has called me to serve. No "dilution" or "pollution" or "withdrawing His hand" going on here, just enjoying doing ministry here in this place.
