State Faith Director
July 2023
Faith in Action Faith - Programs HERE - Resources HERE
Brothers Knights,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 fraternal year. Growing up my foster father always told me that “actions speak louder than words.” It is easy to come up with ideas and a lot harder to actually put them into action. Create an atmosphere in your councils that allow ideas to freely flow, instill confidence, and empower your brothers to take the next step. The next step being, running programs. Be willing to assist those brothers, maybe as a co-chair. Try to identify the strengths of your brothers and use those to strengthen your council. Most important, come up with programs that will actually attract new members to join.
James 1:22-26
James intuitively knows that leadership integrity exists only when our words and actions meet.
1. Feeding and Clothing the Poor
2. Providing good seating at church services for the poor
3. Controlling your speech
4. Praying for the sick and those in need
James 1:22-26
22. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
23. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.
24. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like.
25. But the one who peers into the perfect law* of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.
26. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
James reminds us that we are all called to serve others. The measuring stick of our commitment is not our lip service, but our life. Leaders must act on their values; action is the gauge, not mere words of thoughts. If you want to add value to others as a leader, don't just say something, serve.
Brothers, be a leader. (we are all challenged to follow these steps) (James --all five chapters)
1. The more you walk, the less you have to talk.
2. Integrity occurs when words and actions match
3. Leaders will be judged more strictly than followers
4. If you can bridle your tongue, you can discipline a part of your life.
The Law of Solid Ground: Hypocritical Leaders Sabotage Themselves
If a man thinks himself religious, but doesn't bridle his tongue, he deceives himself. His religion is worthless. Why? Because when he thinks one way, but talks another way, he becomes double--minded. The Greek word translated "doubt" is taken from the same root as the word "double". A leader who thinks one way, but whose words stand in contrast to his mindset, will fail. The power of his mind and the power of his words neutralize each other. Such a leader fails to practice the Law of Solid Ground and will eventually sabotage himself.
The Maxwell--Leadership Bible
Bottom line, we are ALL challenged to be leaders, and to put our Faith in Action.
Vivat Jesus
James Prasopoulos, PGK
State Faith Director