By: W. John Barling – Secretary of Hyde Park Lodge 370
In the previous Masonic Briefs, we talked about engaging fully in Freemasonry, guarding the West Gate, and making the Lodge experience meaningful. Now that we are building strong foundations, the next question naturally arises : How do we secure the future of our Lodges?
The answer is simple but challenging, and it is threefold. Mentorship, leadership development, and planned succession.
Without these three, even the strongest Lodge will eventually wither. With them, any Lodge, no matter its size or location, can thrive for generations.
Here is what I have learned on this journey.
1. Mentorship is the Lifeblood of Growth
The moment a man knocks at the door of the Lodge, we must be thinking about mentorship. Mentorship is not just a program, it is a living relationship between Brothers, built on trust, patience, and example.
Every Entered Apprentice should be paired with a mentor who not only helps him learn his catechism, but also guides him in understanding the deeper lessons of our degrees. Mentorship must continue even after he is raised a Master Mason. It should be an ongoing process that helps each Brother find his place in the life of the Lodge.
Good mentorship means:
- Teaching not only ritual, but culture and conduct.
- Inviting newer Brothers to participate meaningfully, not just sit silently.
- Modeling patience, humility, and zeal for the Craft.
If we mentor well, we build Masons who are not just members, but future leaders.
2. Leadership Must Be Taught, Not Assumed
In too many Lodges, leadership is treated as something that “just happens” when it is time for a new Worshipful Master to be installed. This is a recipe for burnout and dysfunction.
Leadership must be taught early and often. We should be identifying Brothers with leadership potential and working with them years before they sit in the East.
Teach them:
- How to run an efficient meeting.
- How to plan and execute events.
- How to build consensus and manage conflict with dignity.
- How to balance the traditions of Freemasonry with the realities of modern life.
The goal is to have several Brothers prepared and eager to serve, not just to fill chairs, but to lead with vision and energy.
Remember, leadership is not about titles. It is about service.
3. Succession Planning is an Act of Brotherly Love
Succession planning is one of the greatest acts of Brotherly Love a Lodge can perform for itself. It is not enough to hope that someone will “step up” when needed. We must plan intentionally and nurture leaders before the need arises.
Ask yourself:
- Who is ready to move into a chair next year?
- Who needs encouragement to step into a new role?
- Who might need more mentoring or training to succeed?
We should never leave a Brother to struggle alone because we failed to prepare him. A Lodge that plans its leadership transitions carefully is a Lodge that honors both the Past Masters who built it and the future Brothers who will inherit it.
Succession is not just about keeping the Lodge open. It is about keeping the Light of Freemasonry burning brightly for those who come after us.
If we want our Lodges to be strong today and stronger tomorrow, we must invest in mentorship, leadership, and succession. It is not glamorous work, and it does not always yield immediate results, but it is absolutely essential.
The future of Freemasonry is being shaped right now, in every conversation we have with a new Brother, in every moment we choose to teach rather than criticize, in every opportunity we take to prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead.
As I have said before, culture is not dictated from the top down. It is built Brother to Brother, Lodge to Lodge, one deliberate step at a time.
Let us be builders of men, builders of leaders, and builders of a future that will honor the great trust that has been placed in our hands.
As always, thank you for being apart of my Masonic journey.
Humbly and Fraternally yours,
One response to “Masonic Briefs: Chapter 4: Building the Future: Mentorship, Leadership, and Succession”
Amazing!