As the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana approaches its Annual Communication, the sense of tradition and transition becomes central to our collective experience. The change of leadership in the Grand East is a moment of both reflection on our past and anticipation for our future. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Right Worshipful Brother John Bridegroom, Deputy Grand Master, as he stands upon the threshold of his upcoming term.
Our discussion delved into the profound responsibility of the office and the personal journey that leads a Brother to such a distinguished station. For RWB Bridegroom, this path is paved with a deep respect for those who have previously held the gavel and a commitment to the enduring values that define Indiana Masonry. In the following interview, we explore his thoughts on the historical weight of the Oriental Chair, the mentors who shaped his perspective, and the vision he carries forward for the benefit of the entire fraternity.
1. I sincerely hope this marks your first interview regarding your upcoming term as Grand Master of Masons in Indiana. Next month, as you ascend to the Grand East, you will wear the jewel previously bestowed upon only one other member of Porter Lodge: the late MWB Blasingame. Following in his footsteps, how do you feel as you prepare to take the Grand Oriental Chair?
Honestly it is both exhilarating and weighty. I knew Bill well, and I was very aware of the distinct honor he held and what it meant to Porter Lodge. He was an incredible and principled man. He was very pivotal in Porter Lodges history, and to perhaps occupy the same station in Grand Lodge as him is surreal. It is an honor I take very seriously, and I only hope that in the years to come, I can perform in a way that will make my Lodge proud to claim me as a member!
2. What is the “North Star” of your upcoming term? If you could accomplish only one major goal this year, what would it be?
There are so many fronts that the Grand Master has to consider, and we have lots of programs and projects in the works, but for me personally it is to try and encourage each Brother to think philosophically about the teachings of the Craft. Think about, deeply, the teachings of our rituals and learn to interpret them in such a way that they enrich your daily lives and they change who you are as a man for the better. If you truly understand what Freemasonry is teaching, you WILL change your life.
3. How do you define “Masonry in the 21st Century”? What does our ancient craft look like in a modern, digital world?
Freemasonry is a very personal journey. Its actual premise if for the individual to work on himself. In this way, it doesn’t matter much that the outside world is changing, the principles of Freemasonry are always relevant to the individual man trying to improve himself. As such, the work out to be small, focused and personal, but will change the world at large effectively. Lessons like destroying our vices, being circumspect in our conduct, exhibiting Love and compassion, practicing personal charity... These things make men better and change the world. The 21st century Digital mason needs some of these now more than ever.
4. What challenges do you believe Freemasonry in our jurisdiction faces today?
I truly believe our biggest challenge is losing our fraternity before we as a generation understand it. I think a man who studies the Craft, learns the deeper concepts it teaches, will remain a member his entire life. Many of our Brethren have not endeavored to learn it well enough to teach it to new brothers. Our greatest loss in people leaving the Fraternity, and I attribute that to them not getting anything out of it. That is a failure on our part to reveal to them its deeper meanings, and not showing them the strength of our brotherhood. This is a very solvable problem, but we must believe that there is something profound to teach, and start teaching it that way.
5. How can local lodges maintain strong traditions while also adapting to the needs of modern society?
We cannot be afraid of modern cultural developments. Communication is essential, and we must communicate with our brothers in the way that THEY communicate. But we also must keep in mind the tenets of the institution when we do... Utilize the benefits of these advances, while not falling into the traps of their negative effects. The world has shifted much in the last 100 years, we can evolve in our practice while maintaining the integrity of our ancient philosophy. There is no easy button, but we can do it if we work at it and don’t dismiss things because we fear change. I’m sitting in an airport, answering these questions on a laptop, tethered to my phone for wifi... great things are possible in the modern era, and those tools are available to us as well!
6. Quality vs. Quantity: How do we balance the need for new members with the necessity of maintaining high standards for the West Gate?
In my opinion the focus must always be quality. Quantity follows quality. While we need to remember we are not looking for perfect men, we must also remember that as the great masonic author Wilmshurst said, Freemasonry is not a reformatory. We are not looking for every man no matter how broken and trying to fix him. We are looking for good men, who sincerely want to better themselves. Unfortunately, many men have led lives that are not the caliber of what freemasonry is looking for. Primarily, this is an indicator that the individual is not ready to embody the teachings of the Fraternity. Often times they are still in a position where they need too much help themselves, to be able to fulfill the obligation of a Mason to help those around him. In those cases, we actually do the man a disservice by allowing him to join. We burden his time, his wallet and his energy when he needs to sort those things out first, before knocking on the door of Freemasonry. Let us be patient and fill our halls with quality men, and let the gravity of those men attract like minded men to us. Then , the fraternity will grow.
7. How can we better engage our younger brothers and prevent them from drifting away after they receive their degrees?
Probably the most effective first step is to work hard to be their friends. Build a relationship with them. It is challenging to build real relationships across age gaps sometimes, but that is the first secret of Freemasonry, that it is about relationships first. If they feel like they are among friends who care about them and their lives, it is much easier to take time out of their day to be in lodge, give the fraternity their time in place of other distractions, and then they begin to open to the deeper meanings in our Craft.
8. Do you believe Masonry should be more “outward-facing” in our local towns, or should we remain more focused on internal labor?
I think the Lodge should be visible in the community. Primarily I think this is accomplished by men doing good works, exhibiting a welcoming outward demeanor, and being unashamed about their membership as well as being able to discuss it with anyone who asks. Lodges undertaking community projects gain support from their communities, and it positions them to give back to the community in meaningful ways. Everyone wins, and we get opportunities to practice the tenets of our institution.
9. The Weight of the Gavel: What has been the most surprising lesson you’ve learned about leadership during your time in the Grand Line? (I am not referring to that one time when I gaveled you down lol)
Hahaha, I was actually very proud of you for gaveling me down that day. I said what I needed to say, even though I knew it was inappropriate in open lodge. On that day, you used the gavel correctly and effectively, a good lesson for everyone involved! I think the largest lesson I have learned over my many years of leadership is that in order to accomplish anything worthwhile, we need brethren to work together as a large team. This isn’t easy with strong personalities and opinions. Leadership, to me, is most effective when you level yourself with everyone, agree to reach for a common goal, and then the leader does his best to bring out the best in each personality. A heavy hand rarely advances the project. While it is sometimes needed, it is always a hindrance to the goal. The good leader sees a larger picture, understands everyones role, and works to make each piece succeed in its part. Real leadership is often a mixture of vision, navigation and guidance. The gavel is authority, the trowel is leadership.
10. Mentorship: Who was the Mason who most influenced your journey, and how are you honoring their teachings in your new role?
I have been incredibly blessed with several over the years. My Grandfather, Jack Kuckuck was my earliest mentor. Not only did he provide an incredible example, he also made sure to teach me his views of how a Mason behaves and carries himself, and taught me dedication to the lodge. He also introduced me to my next monumental mentor, Rick Elman. Rick took me under his wing in a significant way, and he and his wife Shelley became second parents to me very quickly. I would not be the mason I am without his guidance, patience and support. He introduced me to Roger VanGorden, who helped me develop a love for the rules and structure of Freemasonry, without losing the love of the mystery and philosophy. He showed me how they intertwine and to this day teaches me important lessons. Another huge influence on me was Lawrence Kaminsky, who developed my masonic character in so many ways. Larry is very hard to define in his influence on me, because it was so ubiquitous. Every aspect of my maturity in Freemasonry was guided by his gentle hand, and his immense knowledge. He taught me to be a student of the individual man. He taught me to find the sacred pieces of this fraternity and live them. His mentorship is so invaluable to me, and I think of him almost daily. He is a part of me, forever. Lastly I would mention Chuck Wood. Much like Larry, chuck became a dear friend and his guidance and unending support of me has inspired me to accomplish so many things. All of these men I admire so much, and over the years they have helped shape me into not just the Mason I am, but the Man I am as well. I could never repay their kind influences, but can only hope to offer that to those who I encounter. There are many others, as we are all products of the people we surround ourselves with. I suppose I am grateful, and the lesson is to learn to be a mentor to those around you, and as another masonic lecture says, wherever God may cast my lot, there I will be found, dispensing Masonic light to my uniformed Brethren.
11. The Esoteric vs. The Social: Many lodges struggle to balance deep ritual study with “pancake breakfast” social culture. How do you plan to harmonize these two sides of the Craft?
I find that we can get lost in the chase of the great mysteries, and forget that the point is to bring them to the world. As they say to Spiritualize the Material, so that we can materialize the spiritual! All of the deepest esoteric teachings can only find profit in improving our relationships with those around us. The Esoteric Mason that dismisses the Social Lodge is only getting half of the teachings. What better way to learn to live the philosophy then amongst your Brethren in social situations! Another aspect to consider is that every Brother is individual and comes to the Fraternity from different starting points. Perhaps what that Brother desperately needed in his life was strong social interaction? A need for Brothers who he can work out the great problems of life with. A support group that will help him navigate darker periods in his life? In that way, the Social Lodge is making him a better man, and will lead him to the other aspects of the Craft. We must resist thinking that Freemasonry is only how I experience it. Each brother is on a personal journey, our goal is to support him not tear him down. If you are not seeing what you are looking for in your lodge, Create it. That is what A master Builder does.
12. With many historic buildings facing high maintenance costs, what is your stance on lodge mergers or “European-style” lodge models?
This is one of the bigger struggles of modern day Freemasonry. To often we are seeing Lodges collapse under the financial burden of our Lodge buildings. This in turn drives the mentality of quantity of quality, because they have a very real need for income to support the structure. Our buildings are an important piece of our visibility in our communities, so I don’t fully subscribe to the idea that they are unnecessary, but they should not become an anchor that kills a lodge either. While here in the United States we have a strong attachment to the Lodge we were raised in, I believe Lodge Mergers can be healthy for the Craft. In life everything expands and contracts, it is a natural phenomenon. Communities change, and thus Lodges change. The goal should be to keep Freemasonry strong in the state or local community, and if a Lodge Merger serves that it is not a failure for anyone. The European model is one of smaller Lodges, much less loyalty to individual lodges, and as often as they close a lodge they try to make it easy to open lodges. It has been very successful for them and I am sure aspects of that would benefit us as well.
13. Are there specific pieces of Masonic history or philosophy you want every brother in this state to study this year?
In general we need to be better at learning our history and philosophy. Freemasonry is so much more expansive than your local Lodge culture, The more you learn and travel, the better you are at managing things in your local lodge, and the more you understand that often times your struggles are not that awful and many are happening everywhere. I always find that comforting because it means its not the fault of the individuals, and therefore the solutions are not tied to the individuals involved. I hope that makes sense. Sometimes todays struggles seem like the worst its ever been, then you read a Masonic Book from 150 years ago and realize they were saying the exact same things and you can breath a sigh of relief knowing that its just our turn to hold the line for future generations.
14. Which of the working tools are you leaning on most heavily as you prepare for your installation?
These days it is the 24” Gauge!! Time management in an undertaking of this scale is paramount. The level is big, because I know I must remember that I am just a Brother who has a task to do, and my position as Grand Master does not make me any better or worse than my Brothers. We are all doing our part, and my part happens to involve some larger commitments, some harder decisions, but ultimately it is just about serving the craft, so that is continues to be something I love, find great reward in, and its effects continue to uplift mankind. All of the working tools are essential for my current position... And reminding myself which ones to apply at any given moment is very important. This position carries much more responsibility, so Virtuous action, being just and upright, spreading brotherly love and affection, managing my time, all of these have daily relevance in my attempt to honor the Craft in the performance of my duties. My hope is that there is Corn wine and oil on the other side!
15. How has your family supported your journey to the East, and how can the brothers better support your well-being during this busy year?
One of the side effects of committing to the Craft at this level is that my family inevitable suffers for my dedication. The saving grace is that it is ultimately temporary, and I have been blessed that they agree to endure those deficiencies so that I may accomplish something uncommon and important. They have been so gracious in understanding how much this means to me, how ingrained in my heart it is, and they have supported me 150%. It wasn’t easy of course, and there were times when it has been more trying that we may have liked. The burden of time, money and attention is very real, and the Fraternity correctly tells us that our obligations correspondingly increase with our honors. This journey in particular is not for the faint of heart. I am grateful for this rare opportunity, and I am grateful for a loving wife and loving children that allowed me to pursue it with such fervor. Theirs is a debt I fully hope to repay.
16. What advice would you give to newly raised Master Masons who wish to grow deeper in their Masonic journey?
First to soak it all in. Take your time, which is advise I rarely heeded. Go at a pace that makes sense to you, find the aspects you love about the Craft and lean into them. Those focuses will change often along the way, follow them. When committing, always have an eye on the horizon for what you want to accomplish, and commit to things that head in that direction, so as to not get locked into places you don’t want to linger. We have a lifetime to experience it, and that is a wonderful thing! Where else can you enter into a pursuit that offers a lifetime of discovery, fun and fellowship! Before you know it, you will look back on a personal history and marvel that you were a part of such things, added to the long and storied history stretching back several hundreds of years.
17. How can individual Masons contribute more effectively to the strength and harmony of the fraternity?
The best way is to get involved. Do anything you think you can. Learn a lecture. Take a part in a degree. Do the dishes. Serve the food. Organize charitable activities for the Lodge. Offer masonic Education to the members. Perhaps the easiest of all is just attend. Be a part of this great Fraternity, make friends and have a goal of just enjoying this journey with great men. Dont try to be the same old you in just another club, work on becoming the new you with new people and see where it goes. This Fraternity is now yours, and you comprise one aspect of what it is. It is now you as much as it is everyone else. As you become a better you, it becomes a better Fraternity.
18. Looking back on your Masonic career, what moment or experience in the Craft has been the most meaningful to you?
Well, I have had some very negative encounters that shaped me. I don’t want to share those details, but only to say that sometimes negative experience strengthens you, helps you to see the truth of a situation, and teaches you that the checkered pavement is present in every interaction. I don’t even harbor ill feelings against those involved in some of the circumstances, I chose to use them as opportunities to fine tune myself, and keep my eyes on my goals. That being said, I have experienced may honors in my masonic career, and I am grateful for them all. Many of them hold very special meaning for me because they represent the culmination of hard work and years of fellowship with men I have grown to love. I have found, however, that I get the greatest enjoyment of seeing my closest Brothers be honored for their work. Perhaps others feel that for me when i have received various honors, but it is a genuine joy when I see my friends get honored for their efforts. I have felt disappointment along this journey when i didn’t get awards here and there, and I realized that it was vanity and ego to feel that way, so i have worked to chisel off that rough corner and find contentment in what I accomplish for its own sake. Once I was able to do that, the joy of watching others be recognized flourished and it is a true selfless joy. Some may say thats easy for me to say, and I get it, but it doesn’t make it untrue!
19. What do you hope the brethren will remember about your year as Grand Master when it concludes?
This will sound contrite, but I am sincerely unconcerned with being remembered. I feel a genuine satisfaction in the things I have accomplished, and that journey was always meant for me alone, granted by my creator. I have received so much support from so many incredible brothers, and I have found the warmest, most welcoming experiences from the Craft, that I could never hope for anything more. What I truly want to is my best job on the task at hand, and try to reveal the craft to as many seekers as I can. If I can somehow ensure that another Brother has an opportunity to experience what I have found in Freemasonry, than it is worth all of my time and effort. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent my lodge and become a part of its history, if Indiana’s Masonic history, and if there is any chance at a lasting legacy, I hope it is one of dedication, knowledge and Loyalty. The Grand Master has little control over what challenges arrive during his term, and often those decisions are hard, and can be unpopular even when just and correct. Legacy can be marred by contention in the face of difficult decisions, and I feel one cannot allow that to affect judgment in the performance of duty. All I can ask if for trust, support and understanding from the Craft I have sworn to serve.
20. If you could give one guiding principle to every Mason in the jurisdiction, what would it be?
Be a Builder. In every action, be constructive. Seek to improve, everyone and everything around you, even at the inconvenience to yourself. If you can understand the scope of that, you will finally be a Master Mason. To know the power you wield to build the world around you. Build it with intention, should be the sounding board of every action. That is the gift we have been given.
21. Your final thoughts and messages to the Craft:
Freemasonry is this giant, beautiful tapestry woven from all of us. Embrace the vast variety of its many aspects, while remembering that it is truly about focusing on yourself. This personal journey you are on is lifelong, and there are wonders and secrets to be revealed beyond anything you have yet even imagined. It is truly magnificent. The wonder we had as children is still there to be found, and it will enable you to change your life. You can “Change your stars” as they say. To the Brethren, thank you for allowing me to have this experience, and thank you for being my Brother. Lets work to make Freemasonry what it is destined to be, and show the world what it is possible for good men to become and accomplish.
* * *
The interview was conducted by WB Lucas Pacukovski 33°
