As a Chaplain, how can I encourage my Brethren to attend church and engage better with their faith?

Advancing specific theological views or directing brethren toward a particular church falls outside the recognized function of a chaplain in the Craft. Neither in lodge nor at any time in his capacity as a Freemason is a brother permitted to discuss or advance his views on theological questions, as the United Grand Lodge of England states.

Freemasonry is not a church and holds aloof from separate sects and creeds 1. Newton emphasizes that the Craft does not require acceptance of abstract dogmas or sectarian uniformity, but rather seeks to bring together men of all creeds upon shared moral foundations while preserving the right of each individual to his own religious faith 1. While early chaplains such as Hutchinson attempted to identify the Order directly with Christianity, Newton argues that such views misapprehend the non-sectarian nature of Craft masonry established under the Grand Lodge of England 1.

In modern practice, spiritual leadership by a chaplain emphasizes unity across traditions rather than denominational attendance. A Provincial Grand Chaplain led a multi-faith service in a collegiate church featuring readings given by members of the Hindu, Sikh, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian faiths on the theme of 'togetherness', as the United Grand Lodge of England records. Rather than encouraging church attendance or dogma, a chaplain supports a brother's faith by upholding an altar where no man is asked to surrender his liberty of thought 1.