What responsibilities does a Worshipful Master have in a Lodge?

The Worshipful Master holds absolute authority within the lodge, subject only to the laws of the Grand Lodge, ancient usages, and his own installation vows 1. He controls all lodge business and ritual work, decides points of order without appeal to the lodge, initiates or terminates debate, and opens or closes communications at his discretion, provided he does not violate Grand Lodge statutory requirements 1.

A central duty of the Master is governing admission and preserving order. He possesses the authority to admit or exclude visitors, though an arbitrary exclusion or the admission of a visitor over a member's objection can subject him to Grand Lodge discipline 1. He is strictly responsible for ensuring that no unvouched visitor or eavesdropper enters the lodge room, and only he may order an examination committee for a visiting brother 12.

The Master carries sole authority over committee selections. While a lodge may vote to create a committee, the selection of its members belongs inherently to the Master, who serves ex officio on every committee he creates 1. Through this right, he controls the accuracy and diligence of investigations into petitioners and visitors, maintaining accountability for the lodge's acts 12.

At his installation, the Master assents to ancient charges that outline his moral and governance duties 2. These require him to strictly obey the moral law, maintain allegiance to civil authority, discountenance impostors or dissenters from the original plan of Masonry, preserve the Ancient Landmarks, and ensure that no innovations are made in the body of Masonry 2. He is also responsible for appointing officers, including his Wardens, and directing them in maintaining good order and enforcing obedience to the laws of the Fraternity 23.