By: W:. John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370
Todays Topic: How to Engage in Freemasonry to Get the Most Out of It
I was sitting in my office with a former District Instructor after a recent School of Instruction. As often happens, we began reflecting on the Craft and how transformative Freemasonry has been in our lives. That conversation sparked a question in my mind: How does one truly get the most out of Freemasonry?
That question led to this brief.
Freemasonry is more than just a membership—it’s a journey of personal growth, brotherhood, and service. Those who engage fully in the Craft soon discover it’s a lifelong path of learning and self-improvement. But to truly benefit from Freemasonry, you have to be more than just a name on the roster.
How to Get the Most Out of Freemasonry
1. Show Up and Be Present
The first and most important step is to show up. Attend meetings. Participate in degree work. Go to our NEFMA meetings (for those not in the 8-9th Masonic district, that is our district Masonic association meeting), go to our Annual communication every year and other fellowship events. The more you’re there, the more you’ll build meaningful relationships and gain real insight from your Brothers.
2. Learn and Reflect
Freemasonry is full of lessons; moral, symbolic, and philosophical. Take the time to study the ritual, understand the symbols, and reflect on what they mean to you. Let those teachings guide your conduct, your leadership, and your service to others.
3. Serve with Purpose
Whether you’re helping with a lodge dinner, mentoring a new Mason, or stepping into a leadership role, Masonry provides countless opportunities to serve. That service deepens your connection to the Craft and pushes you to grow.
4. Let It Change You
Freemasonry is meant to improve men. If you let it challenge your ego, sharpen your character, and shape your decisions, you’ll undergo real, lasting transformation.
5. Build Brotherhood
Don’t be a Mason in name only, be a Brother in every sense of the word. Build real friendships. Be someone your lodge can count on. Encourage, support, and learn from each other. The strength of our fraternity is found in those bonds.
Key Takeaways:
- Freemasonry is not a club you join…it’s a path you walk.
- Simply paying dues without participating is like buying a gym membership and never working out.
- If you’re not willing to be active, to grow, and to let the experience shape you, you’re wasting your time and money by joining.
That might sound blunt, but it’s the truth. And many Brothers won’t say it out loud, even though they know it to be true.
If you’re already a member of a Lodge, especially one involved in investigating candidates, remember this: part of our duty in guarding the West Gate is ensuring the men we bring into the fraternity understand what Freemasonry is truly about and are willing to allow it to transform them. We must be clear about our expectations, and help them set the right expectations for themselves from day one.
We’ll dive deeper into that topic in Masonic Briefs: Chapter 2 – Guarding the West Gate.
As always, thank you for reading and being apart of my Masonic journey towards ever greater enlightenment.
Humbly and fraternally yours,
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