Should i join eastern star

Since the Order is relatively new, historically speaking, the Bible does not address it specifically. However, the Bible does have multiple passages on what to do when considering new groups and ideologies. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. We must also be sure that we are not faced with anything that distorts the truth. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

For more insight on spotting false teachings, see 2 Peter 2 or this article from affiliate Bible Study Tools. Finally, the Order of the Eastern Star places high value on works and being worthy of membership. However, we must be careful not to become like the Pharisees Jesus condemns in Matthew The main draws of the Order are probably fellowship and the opportunity to do good. However, these are things that should be found in abundance in a healthy church. If your church is lacking in opportunities to participate in fellowship, look into what you can do.

Could you start or join a Bible study? Reach out to others in the church, or even talk to your pastor about ways to connect. Churches are also meant to be positive forces in the community.

Though many opportunities to serve are probably announced at your church, others may be flying under the radar. Ask around to see how you can help, whether within the church, or with external outreach and ministry. If you see a need, work with others to fill it. There are also many Christian organizations dedicated to doing good, from major international organizations to your local homeless shelter.

There are plenty of places to get involved and affect positive change without joining the Order. Though a person can be a Christian and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the two ideologies are not necessarily compatible. History of the Order of the Eastern Star. Otherwise, all the offices are held by women. To ask what the Star does is a bit like asking what a Lodge does. The easy answer is: Not much.

However, the Star does what little it does with a tremendous amount of pomp and ceremony. Star meetings, like Lodge meetings, consist of opening the meeting with much waving of rods and banners and the singing of hymns. The officers ritually declare their stations and functions and Grand Chapter officers are introduced and honored with tedious predictability. This can easily kill a half hour to forty-five minutes.

Then, minutes are read, sick members are mentioned and any items of mundane business transacted, much like any other club. If members are to be initiated, that is done, and that can take at least an hour. Then the chapter is solemnly closed, with a lot more ceremonial ado, followed by a social hour. Ultimately, the chief function of a Star chapter, like a Lodge, is to make more members! Everything else is secondary to that. Classics like How Great Thou Art are sung. The motto of the chapter is right out of the Bible: "We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him'" Matthew Sadly, one of the key strategies a cult uses is to play upon the common interpretation of words.

Dealing with any cult involves getting through a jungle of definitions. The cult will use words which have common meanings, like "Jesus" or "saved," or well known Bible verses, but will carefully not explain to potential members that they have applied a subtext to these terms, a second layer of meaning!

Most chapters meet twice per month in the evening although some chapters meet monthly. Social activities are scattered throughout the year to allow the members fellowship time outside the regular meetings. A petitioner must a be of good moral character, b believe in a Supreme Being, c have attained the age of eighteen 18 , c believe in the laws of the United States of America, d be willing to assume the obligation of the Order, e be able to participate, with assistance if needed, in the Ceremony of Initiation, f be free from disqualifying mental illness, g be a resident of the State for six months, with some exceptions, and g be free of felony conviction or judgment as a habitual criminal under any State or National laws.

Membership requires that women have a specific familial affiliation such as daughter, wife, sister, mother, etc. The Order of the Eastern Star includes members from every race, religion, gender, and economic status. The Master Mason must have been in good standing at the time of his death.

Initiation requires a letter of verification from his Lodge before conferring the Degrees of the Order of The Eastern Star. Majority members of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls or Job's Daughters International, or members who have been active for three 3 years and who have reached the age of eighteen 18 years, are also eligible for membership in the Order of the Eastern Star.

The wives, daughters, legally adopted daughters, mothers, widows, sisters, half-sisters, granddaughters, stepmothers, stepdaughters, stepsisters, daughters-in-law, grandmothers, great-granddaughters, nieces, great-nieces, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts and daughters of sisters or brothers of affiliated Master Masons in good standing, or who were in good standing at the time of death, are eligible to membership.

The Order of the Eastern Star supports friendship and fellowship among its members and philanthropy in the community, including a strong scholarship program and cancer and heart research charities. Your husband must be a member to attend the Chapter meetings.

He is, however, always welcome at social or open events. The more people you meet the wider your network. Our members represent a variety of professions. Your membership in our Order and attendance at the meetings and social events allow you many networking opportunities with persons of like interests. Women and men join a Fraternal Order to make friends and enjoy the fellowship.

Members and their families enjoy interacting with others who share their common interests. Each Chapter has numerous fun activities for all members and their family and friends. Usually, the Worthy Matron appoints a Social Enjoyment Chairman to supplement her planned activities. Your children are welcome at our social events unless otherwise stated on the event invitation. Parents are expected to be responsible for the safety and behavior of their children.

Often there are members of the youth orders present who happily interact with the children. Children under two years of age may attend chapter meetings with their mothers. In such cases the mother must ensure the child does not disrupt the meeting. The Order is a fraternal organization open for membership to both women and men. We are dedicated to furthering the principles of Freemasonry and enjoying these efforts alongside our spouses and fraternal friends.

We support many funds that are for the benefit of our members as they age or become ill and search out public charities to support either financially or with volunteerism. Because we are fraternal we have the opportunity to form and maintain close bonds to our Eastern Star family. That family welcomes us wherever we travel and we open our doors to fraternal visitors. Our Ritual at the opening of every stated meeting is a reinforcement of our obligations to be mindful of our attitudes, responsibilities and loyalties to our God, our Country and our family.

Many of us feel a need to do something for others. These degrees are presented in a beautiful ritualistic ceremony designed to teach the lessons and provide insight for future study and understanding. The organization was founded in the mid to late s by our founder, Dr. Rob Morris, for the expressed purpose of offering support and affiliation to the wives, mothers, daughters, and grandchildren of Free Masons. The organization is open to both males and females. Local Eastern Star Chapters select their own charities and places of service in their own communities.

Some statewide projects include scholarships for ministerial students, other general scholarships for youth, and supporting a home for aging members. Eastern Star. Who can join Eastern Star? In addition to the above requirements, you must also: Be of good moral character Believe in a Supreme Being Be at least 18 years old Believe in the laws of the United States of America Be willing to assume the obligation of the Order Participate in the ceremony of initiation Not convicted of a felony or adjudged a habitual criminal under the law of any state or the United States How do I become a Member?

This is done to: Ask a few very simple questions Provide you with an opportunity to meet some Chapter members Provide some of the Chapter members an opportunity to meet you Verify your Masonic affiliation. A Way of Life in Eastern Star Eastern Star provides us with an avenue of compassion and concern, not only for our Sisters and Brothers in the Order of the Eastern Star, but for ourselves, our country, and our faith.