Building A Positive Masonic Culture of Change, by Paterson Burns

As Masons, we are by our own admonition an institution that has flourished over the centuries and eons of evolution, adapting to suit the needs of the members of the time. Think of the social change that we as Masons have been fortunate enough to participate in. We all agree that the fraternity of today is "Night & Day" different from the fraternity it was 50, 100, 200 years ago.

Just as we the Craft, will continue to evolve over the course of the coming years and adapt to the further change and evolution that will occur, and become the norm of tomorrow.

I support my Blue Lodges because frankly, if it is within my power to influence one Master Mason's journey, from his entrance to the Lodge, to his place in the East, I certainly will do my best to convince him to put forward his best, and to expect it in others as well.

Having access to a Blue Lodge atmosphere that is not a vacuum, but is in fact a nexus and a conduit for like-minded progressive Master Masons to assemble, share and discuss their perspectives and goals for the individual Lodges that they represent, is a positive for any Masonic community. It is also an opportunity to agree on and pursue shared positive change related agendas, and impact the outcome of such endeavors that require group support and the votary of officers from many Lodges, in many districts.

Unfortunately in today's society, we are told to accept mediocrity, because its all about everyone getting a chance to participate and nobody’s a winner or a loser. Well, I personally didn't go to all the trouble of becoming a Master Mason, Master of the Royal Secret, Knight Templar and Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and everything else that I make a commitment of my time to...to discover that I should be comfortable with social mediocrity.

I want to socialize with brother Masons who share my interests in philosophy, who devote a portion of their time and effort to improving their Masonic surroundings. I want to have conversations about the essence of the Fraternity, not the cost of gas.

Too often, the lonely voice of evolution is drowned out by the roar of the sound of resistance to change, and isn't then heard by those who would listen, subscribe and apply. However, if we band together, and choose to make an individual commitment to supporting and maintaining the machinery of change, the vehicle will serve its purpose and again have a life of its own.

Adaptability and evolution are ever-present forces in our Masonic culture; perhaps you could say they are the survival mechanisms, or safety resets for the machine of Freemasonry.

Used by permission of the author