Response:
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I believe that the Masonic Lodge represents a false religious system. However, I also believe that many people, including many Masons themselves, do not realize this. As I heard one Bible College graduate say, "It's just a boys club for old men". He was wrong about that, but I understand that many are ignorant about the Lodge.

I require all our potential members to read, and agree to, the church Doctrinal Statement, which includes the following section:

"To members, prospective members, and friends, be it known that Ambassador Baptist Church is holding tenaciously to the cardinal doctrines of the faith, and we at this time most happily bring them to the remembrance of all people, that they know our doctrinal position. Ambassador Baptist Church of Pittsburgh is opposed to any kind of compromise with error. We are disheartened and alarmed by the following trends among evangelicals throughout our country. Such trends are as follows:

• 1. The making of concessions to unsaved intellectuals
• 2. The willingness to accept theistic evolution and other theories that are contrary to Genesis1-6.
• 3. The recognition of the ecumenical movement.
• 4. The willingness to reconsider Biblical inspiration and preservation.
• 5. The acceptance of worldly, secular methods in the worship of Christ, including contemporary music, pop psychology, teachings designed not to offend the unsaved, and the neglect of Biblical preaching.
• 6. The willingness to cooperate beyond proper doctrinal lines for the sake of evangelism, social change, or improved family relationships.
• 7. A compromising attitude toward worldly practices such as social drinking, smoking, dancing, theater attendance, gambling, and membership in secret orders; and a critical attitude toward those who oppose worldliness among believers. Let all who read this Statement of Faith be assured that the Ambassador Baptist Church of Pittsburgh is absolutely opposed to Liberal Theology, Neo-Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, and the Charismatic Movement." (emphasis added)

Thus, anyone entering the church knows where we stand on the issue. I will teach on it occasionally, and I would like to see the individual grow spiritually to the place where he realizes that membership in the Masonic Lodge is improper. I personally would not make it a requirement for church membership, for I think we need to give people, particularly newer Christians the opportunity to grow spiritually. It would be nice to know if a potential member is a Mason, but normally, if a man realizes the error of Masonry he will get out of it, and if he doesn't recognize the error of Masonry he won't think of it as being important enough to mention to the pastor.

I must say that, if I had a church member who was a Mason, and after being clearly shown the errors of that organization and the Biblical principles involved, still refused to leave it, I might ultimately have to pursue some form of church discipline because the problem would no longer be ignorance, but rather rebellion. I definitely would not allow him to hold a leadership position in the church, and this is spelled out in our Leadership Standards ("They should not hold membership in any lodge or secret society").

I hope this is a help. May the Lord bless you.

By Pastor Dr. Mark Montgomery Email: Ask the Pastor Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210