Many Masonic leaders today feel that our greatest challenges are membership and finances. I used to be one who felt that way. As I have both worked professionally in the Masonic world as well as been a participant, I grew to realize these were symptoms, not the disease. Our greatest issue is ensuring every lodge is providing the lessons, fraternalism, organization and quality that makes it worth the brethren who are members to sacrifice the time to be engaged. Time is perhaps the most valuable commodity in today’s world, if we are not compelling enough to keep our members engaged, they will go elsewhere, and the profane will not be interested in knocking at our door.

One of the keyways we can maintain the interest of our brethren and show the public at large the value of Freemasonry is by living our obligations.

Living our obligations to our brethren-Do we mentor the new brother as he advances through the degrees? Do we find a task for him to perform so he is invested in the lodge? Do we provide quality programs at every stated communication? Do we have organized business agendas for the stated? Do we have fun activities to keep him engaged such as a fishing trip, bowling event, etc.? Do we visit our member when he is sick? If he loses his job, are we trying to help share his resume and to get back on his feet? Do we help him if he is in a time of financial distress? Do we listen to him when he is going through loss such as the death of a family member, divorce, personal illness?

Living our obligations to our brethren’s families-Do we encourage his children to join a Masonic youth group? Do we encourage his wife to consider membership in the Eastern Star or Amaranth? Do we help the family if their husband/father is ill? Do we visit them or offer assistance if the wife or children are suffering from a medical issue? Do we contact the wife with hours of learning she is now a widow? Do we continue to look after the widows beyond the funeral? Do we hold family events at our lodge where the wife and children can meet and build relationships with others?
Living our obligations to the community-Are we active in our House of Worship? Do we serve on service committees or board in our local community? Do we perform to our best ability each day in our profession? Do we help coach a local sport or serve in a manner to mentor youth? Are we active in our neighborhood civic association? Do we help the elderly family down the street when it snows, or a tree has fallen in their yard? Do we stop at the auto accident and try to provide aid until professionals arrive? Are we honest in all of our transactions, both public and private? Do we follow the Golden Rule?

When Virginia Freemasonry was at its height, it was because our brethren lived their daily lives at home, work, church, community as Master Masons. Lodges provided value in attending that made the sacrifice of time worth it. We can only grow the fraternity if we make our lodge activities must attend events. We can best strengthen our image in the community not by helping once a year with a special event, which may have merit, but in serving o a board all year long, volunteering once a quarter to assist with a charity. Ongoing, continual efforts produce the best results.

Freemasonry thrives when the membership and community see it as “Masons” doing things. You often hear the comment “all the important people were Mason’s then-the city council member, the deacon at church, the little league coach. We will prosper because of what we do to live our obligations, not by what we say. By setting the example, men of good moral character will ask, seek and knock at our door.

In order to “Live our Obligations”, we must “Fulfill our Obligations”.