Grand Master’s Installation Address: June 2, 2025
Grand Master 2025 – 2026
MW Bro. Kenneth M Christofferson
Brethren,
I first saw Freemasonry at my father-in-law‘s masonic funeral in 1984. I was so taken by the outpouring of brotherly love, dignity and respect that I joined the craft a year later. Freemasonry has made me a more moral citizen, a more ethical leader in industry, a more compassionate father and husband, and a more trustworthy friend. I owe a great debt to Freemasonry.
My brothers, what we are doing here is important. I will speak more on that later. Now I have many to thank for being with me on my journey to the grand east. My wife, Barbara has inspired me though the whole of my masonic life. She brought me to Freemasonry and I thank her.
Our immediate past grand master; ‘Magic’ Mark Forster, has shared his knowledge from his many years of working in the grand lodge and of course he shared the magic. Thank you. To the many past grand masters who have encouraged and guided me, you know who you are: thank you. So many brothers and friends who shared the good times and the difficult times―the heart of Freemasonry. Thank you.
Once again, the purpose of grand lodge as stated in the Constitution is to ensure lasting welfare of the craft. The role of the grand master is to create a vision and direction for that purpose.
Previously, I laid out my vision and the direction in a two-part plan that focused on working hand in hand with lodges to improve their Freemasonry and exerting a concerted effort to save our dear masonic buildings. I call on you to join with me in this important work ahead of us.
Now, let’s get some business out of the way.
- I am extending the optional open installation trial programme for one more year. Before we vote, we should know what we’re voting on. The open installation has been used on the Island and the Lower Mainland, but nowhere else in the jurisdiction. We have created a video of an open installation that we will take across the jurisdiction this year and bring it for a vote at next year’s grand lodge annual communication.
- I’m extending the district deputy designate trial programme for one more year. The vast majority of district deputy grand masters who have participated in this program have found it to be extremely helpful in preparing them for their role as DDGMs. This year is the first year that the programme functioned properly so we will bring it for a vote at the next year’s annual communication.
- I’m extending the trial period for the consolidation of the Constitution and Jurisprudence Committees. The committee will make a resolution in favour or otherwise for the consolidation at next year‘s annual communication.
- The poor management of many of our masonic buildings is tearing the craft apart. While the legal entities that own these buildings are independent from Grand Lodge, the associated masonic members are not. Transparency and engagement with the stakeholders by the directors is essential and a masonic duty. I will require that to be so.
- A masonic trial is a failure in Freemasonry. We must diligently work to resolve our differences, brothers amongst brothers, long before a trial is required. This too is tearing the craft apart. I will be requiring all efforts be exhausted to resolve an issue before going to trial.
- I have formed a strategic planning group to develop a long term plan for our Grand Lodge. We must have a structured strategic, long term approach to secure our future.
Okay, enough business. Let’s talk about our Freemasonry. My Grand Master’s Charity is Camp Goodtime. These are camps where kids with cancer come to enjoy happy times with others. This is a place of hope and compassion. It is professionally run by the Canadian Cancer Society and reaches kids and families across our jurisdiction with camps in British Columbia on the mainland and Vancouver Island. Help me send these kids to camp. You will be moved. I will speak more of this throughout my year.
Now I speak to you as individual freemasons of British Columbia and Yukon. The pillars of the temple are indeed shaking from acrimonious masonic trials, polarized factions in our masonic family tearing at each other, and individuals fixated on holding to their selfish positions at any cost to harmony.
Hear me when I say we have the capacity to build or tear down our grand enterprise. The choice is yours and yours alone. It is between you and your conscience. Will you build our Freemasonry or tear it down? I choose to be a builder. I choose to talk about the extraordinary opportunity that lies before us as leaders in the Craft.
A number of respected studies have repeatedly shown that recent, current, and upcoming generations are seeking out meaning. That meaning is embodied in moral and ethical behaviour guided by civility. They are also seeking meaningful relationships.
Freemasonry promises to be the study of the science of moral and ethical living underpinned by trusted relationships.
These men do not come to us for nostalgia but out of necessity. Our Freemasonry is here to answer the call of so many generations of good men seeking the light. But there’s a catch. A cold reality. Let’s call it a challenge.
We are losing more freemasons than we initiate. By some reports three out of five who have been initiated quit during or shortly after receiving the degrees. It is hard not to conclude that these men are disillusioned because we are not providing what we have promised―what Freemasonry promises. We need to fix that or our future is in peril.
This is a multi layered challenge, but just for this year let’s keep it simple―focus on one thing, one really important thing.
I call on you to revitalize our commitment to the study of morality and ethics by revitalizing our ritual across the jurisdiction. Our science is all in the ritual. Let’s not just deliver it to our candidates. Let’s inspire them to want to learn more. Let’s not read it. Let’s impart those lessons with heartfelt fluency and meaning. Brethren, I call on you to reignite the masonic light of learning in our lodges with inspirational ritual.
The reward is worthy of the work. The lodge is stronger because it is proud of its work. The participants become mentors as they make that ever important connexion with the candidate. The candidate wants to come back to learn more.
Let’s also build trusted relationships with our new freemasons. This brings me to my theme for this year. How do you as an individual build trusted relationships? Be that mason you respect.
You all know them and respect them; they take the higher path, the path of true Freemasonry. Be that mason that reaches out to new freemasons and nurtures them in the craft―for their entire masonic journey; who inspires with ritual: who cares for his brothers and widows; who holds the craft above all toiling in masonic happiness.
Be that mason so when you stand at the looking glass, you respect that mason looking back!
I am humbled to be your grand master. I am here to serve you on the level.
MW Bro. Kenneth M. Christofferson
Grand Master
