KLF Facebook GroupThe decision below was overturned in May/June 2011 by a petition by our members. KLF was placed back on the ballot and eventually won in the June 2011 election as the re-instated name of our group.
KLF: No Longer the Name of Our Group
After six months of deliberation and research, on April 2, 2011, the Advisory Committee voted on and passed a proposal to officially change the use of the name Knights and Ladies of the Flame in referring to the overall young adult movement of TSL. The name KLF, however, will not be discarded. As a result of this vote, the name Knights and Ladies of the Flame will now be used to refer to a smaller interest group within the larger organization, characterized by members who are Keepers of the Flame. Providing new community for our KoF, this interest group will be open to all members who are Keepers and will help to provide a space for deeper spiritual exploration within our larger community.
To determine a new name for our larger organization, the Culture Team will launch a membership-wide name contest in late April. Members will have an opportunity to share ideas on this process, submit suggestions for a new name and vote. Stay tuned for details!
Why did we make this decision?
Several factors contributed to this decision, with a focus on the desire for increased opportunities and community within our larger organization:
- We found that the ongoing debate about the group’s name in reality was a struggle to balance the need and desire for (1) a social/demographically-based group and (2) a mission-focused, more spiritually oriented group.
- These two needs are almost irreconcilable, and it’s likely that we will continue to struggle to balance these until we provide a space for the growth of both groups
- Fully eliminating or keeping the name KLF for the larger organization has the potential to be extremely divisive, causing one group or another to become disenfranchised, as they feel their needs are not being met.
- This new change will create a place within our young adult movement for people who want strong, dedicated spiritual community (KLF), while also creating a place (larger TSL young adults organization) for:
- New youth who are exploring the teachings
- Young people who have are still deciding on their own level of spiritual commitment
- Individuals who simply want to pursue their spiritual path on their own, but still want to be part of our larger community
- This change will allow us to bring the KLF core purpose and mission into greater focus for those who wish to participate, as KLF would no longer need to be all things to all people.
- This change is by no means a new idea, but rather is the integration of thoughts from past discussions around making KLF a Holy Order or interest group within the larger group, and efforts years ago to structure KLF around the Keepers of the Flame.
- By using the name KLF for this spiritually-focused group, it allows for the continuance of this internationally-branded name and gives our members who personally identify with it’s meaning a place to continue its association.
- The Keeper of the Flame lessons comprise the core of our teachings; by building groups within the larger community around that core, we put in place a strong anchor for maintaining our bearings.
What will happen next?
- Between now and the day we vote on a new organizational name (early May), we will continue to use the name KLF to refer to our group and work. The day we decide on a new name, KLF will become the name of the interest group and the new winning name will be used from there on out to refer to our overall young adult organization.
- The KLF interest group will begin to take shape after this vote. The group’s guidelines will be discussed in the coming months and ways to get involved will be announced!
- We will also continue to work closely with our regional youth groups in Brazil and Colombia to communicate this process and involve them in the name contest and vote.
Measures will be taken to ensure division does not result from this new structure, but rather that our community is strengthened and unified to a greater extent, meeting the needs of an increased number and variety of people.
An interest group is like a club in college…
KLF will be our first interest group within the organization, helping to support those who share a common interest within the broader organization (in this case, Keepers of the Flame). Our hope is that in time, other interest groups will also pop up to support of common interests within the organization. We’ll be working to determine guidelines for these groups so you’ll know what to do if you’d like to form one!
**While the KLF interest group and others may exists, nonetheless, all overall organizational activities (i.e. summer and winter retreats) will be run under the banner of the overall young adult movement, open to all.
An International Coordinating Body
Over the past several months, our involvement and partnership with our international regional groups has been increasing by God’s grace! We’d like to clarify and formally acknowledge the nature of our group’s work in the worldwide scene:
- Our group (formally known as KLF) as we know it now, is an overarching group that represents and supports all young adults of the Summit Lighthouse throughout the world (and encompasses regional TSL young adult groups such as those in Colombia and Brazil).
- The role of the Advisory Committee and accompanying teams, therefore, is to act as an international coordinating body, guiding and supporting the growth of members and regional groups throughout the world.
As such, the Advisory Committee’s work will begin to reflect this identity through increased support to and partnering with our international community. In time you may see this played out through decree sessions in multiple languages or other means of increased coordination with our friends all over the world!
How can you share your opinion and thoughts on all of this change?
-Participate in the Culture Team’s discussion on the name change – details to come!
-Send an email any time to Sarah and Joseph at srrow26@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has worked hard over the last months to help us take this new step! Please let us know if you have any questions along the way and stay tuned for more info on the upcoming name contest!