It depends on what you want out of that career. As one of our correspondents has noted, his goal is Masonic rank. In that case, yes, taking a chair is important. It is also a form of service, and a means of paying back what we have been given.Do you think entering the line is important in a persons masonic career?
Some seem to prefer collecting degrees, writing papers, teaching or charitable works.
What do you think?
Interesting notion for sure, I can definitely see why many brothers join the craft and perpetual sit on the sidelines when you have officers who fee that much pride in their station.I recall a young fellow being invested as JW at the installation. He was sitting in the chair looking so pleased with himself that afterwards I asked him what he experienced. He said he was aware of energy/light coming from the South behind him and radiating through him into the temple in an arc of about 60 degrees..
In my view he was a particularly good line of least resistance for the light and hence was able to feel the intensity of the flow.
My aspirations after becoming a Mason, were to learn the meaning of the degree work. I'm still searching for more light. The best way for me to learn was by doing, pitching in
You and I look at the Craft in similar ways Brother.I wanted to learn more, so I joined the York Rite,
Totally agree.If your lodge needs help and you're able take a chair, awesome. If you can't that's ok, get involved in helping the charities your lodge supports.
Each Mason has to make their own decision.
So you are of the opinion that the way to really learn value of the degrees is to perform them?
....
I hadn't really looked at it this way before but you're absolutely right!Going through the line is a bit like an abbreviated career complete with formal training in leadership, management and administration, though the differences among those are not taught. Stewards are gofers learning the business. Deacons are mentors leading the candidates into the craft. Wardens are management. The junior warden manages the physical aspects like the kitchen. The senior warden manages the temporal like the events calendar and degree teams. The master and secretary administer by setting the agenda. It's an entire course in how to move up the corporate ladder.
So you are of the opinion that the way to really learn value of the degrees is to perform them?
Assuming that you are fully at liberty to take office or decline and the lodge won’t think worse of you nor will the lodge cease to function.
Honestly I started the conversation just to see people’s points of view and have a discussion, personally I would in time love to sit in the east, however I’m a long way off.I think you develop a much better understanding of Freemasonry by learning its ritual, and an appreciation for ceremonial by getting involved in performing it. You also make a contribution to the lodge and future Freemasons and the future of Freemasonry; you received our degrees only because men took the time and effort to learn the work and doing that yourself is a way of paying that forward.
As I tell all I mentor, when I was at school, I thought it was stupid that teachers made us learn poems off by heart. It made no sense to me - why do that when you can read them ? As a Freemason, in learning charges, I came to appreciate in learning something by heart and contemplating it, this gives you the opportunity (which not all take, even if they do learn ritual) to develop a deep understanding of a charge, when you learn several, how they mesh and what they say in toto.
I would encourgage you to take office brother, if your circumstances allow.
Honestly I started the conversation just to see people’s points of view and have a discussion, personally I would in time love to sit in the east, however I’m a long way off.
I had spoken to my WM about the possibility of delivering a charge should a friend of mine petition, I would need dispensation however..
I’m an EA.Just out of curiosity, why would you need dispensation to deliver a charge?
Very well said Brother.I think you develop a much better understanding of Freemasonry by learning its ritual, and an appreciation for ceremonial by getting involved in performing it. You also make a contribution to the lodge and future Freemasons and the future of Freemasonry; you received our degrees only because men took the time and effort to learn the work and doing that yourself is a way of paying that forward.
Very true! One of the lodges that I belong to does have several members joining each year but two of them are hurting for members. I am an officer in both of the latter.Now, if you have a large lodge where brothers are clamoring to sit in a chair, maybe that's not an issue, but I haven't seen many of those.
I’m an EA.
Here you need to be a MM to deliver any part of the ritual I belive, that’s said my WM said he delivered the NE charge as an FC to his friend so he was too willing to help me should be friend be in that same position.Excellent. I've seen an FC deliver a lecture.
I'm puzzled that it requires a dispensation in your jurisdiction. Maybe you just expect that. Usually a Brother has be be an MM to be installed into a chair, but any brother of that degree or higher who knows the ritual can sit in that chair pro tem. Same with the degree team.
That said, while you are working through your degrees, until you have delivered your MM proficiency it is best to put your efforts into your proficiencies and learn ritual later. But if you happen to be good at learning ritual, have at it!