So, You Decided to Get in Line

by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Robert Johnson

So you decided to get in line. Congratulations on your decision to start a journey that will eventually lead to being master of your lodge, as long as nothing goes wrong and you proceed in the succession of elections over the course of 7 years, presuming you started at the first chair, Jr. Steward.

Aside from the prestige that comes with being a lodge officer, and this may be a shocker to some, but each officer has additional lodge responsibilities which may not be known to some new Masons. These duties are not always glamorous. This short explanation should serve to the new mason, a quick reference guide to your responsibilities as a lodge officer and all in layman's terms. 

The Jr. Steward & Sr. Steward should be at each meeting and help in preparing the food, serving the food and clean up after the meeting. Being early is appreciated.

The Jr. Deacon should in most jurisdictions be responsible for setting up and breaking down the lodge room for meetings. 

The Sr. Deacon should be responsible for all visiting brothers, in both introductions and accommodations.

The Jr. Warden is responsible, in most jurisdictions for providing meals.

The Sr. Warden is responsible for many arrangements including the installation of officers, budgets and Grand Lodge representation, along with any other duties the Worshipful Master may need. 

The Worshipful Master has the most responsibility, including attendance at every meeting, executive orders, conferral of all obligations for each new candidate and carefully guarding against infractions of masonic law. 

Your lodge may have some additional responsibilities for each position.  They may be different then the ones listed here in fact. Make no mistake, before you get in line, ask the specifics, know these responsibilities and perform them with pride. Your brothers are counting on you. 

~RHJ






Sir Knight Robert Johnson, 32° is the editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog.  He is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar, and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago.  Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on two books, one is of a Masonic nature.

1 comment:

  1. SK Robert, what about the Tyler & Marshal positions? What are there duties and responsibilities to the Officer line?
    sincerely
    Mark Rossignol
    Tyler of Cotner Lodge #297 for 2013

    ReplyDelete

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