ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Biblical Foundation

Requirements

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  Count the cost (Luke 14:28) - Understand commitment level
  "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it"

  Luke 14:28 NKJV
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  Deny self (Matt 16:24) - Surrender personal agenda
  "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me'"

  Matthew 16:24 NKJV
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  Take up cross daily (Luke 9:23) - Daily commitment to discipleship
  "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me'"

  Luke 9:23 NKJV

Responsibilities

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  Follow Christ (Matt 16:24) - Primary allegiance to Jesus
  "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me'"

  Matthew 16:24 NKJV
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  Bear fruit (John 15:8) - Evidence of spiritual growth
  "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples"

  John 15:8 NKJV

Biblical Foundation

Requirements

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  Worthy of respect (1 Tim 3:8) - Dignified character
  "Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money"

  1 Timothy 3:8 NKJV
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  Sincere (1 Tim 3:8) - Not double-tongued or deceptive
  "Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money"

  1 Timothy 3:8 NKJV
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  Hold to deep truths of faith (1 Tim 3:9) - Sound in doctrine
  "holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience"

  1 Timothy 3:9 NKJV
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  Tested first (1 Tim 3:10) - Proven faithful in smaller matters
  "But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless"

  1 Timothy 3:10 NKJV

Responsibilities

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  Faithful men who can teach others (2 Tim 2:2) - Multiplication ministry
  "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also"

  2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV
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  Disciple assigned Swordsmen - One-on-one mentorship
  "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend"

  Proverbs 27:17 NKJV
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  Submit to accountability (Heb 13:17) - Report to Forge Keepers
  "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account"

  Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

Biblical Foundation

Requirements

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  Above reproach (1 Tim 3:2) - Blameless character and reputation
  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach"

  1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
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  Husband of one wife (1 Tim 3:2) - Faithful in marriage/relationships
  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach"

  1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
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  Temperate, self-controlled, respectable (1 Tim 3:2) - Emotional and spiritual maturity
  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach"

  1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
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  Hospitable (1 Tim 3:2) - Opens life and home to others
  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach"

  1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
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  Able to teach (1 Tim 3:2) - Can communicate God's truth effectively
  "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach"

  1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV
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  Not given to drunkenness (1 Tim 3:3) - Self-disciplined with substances
  "not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous"

  1 Timothy 3:3 NKJV
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  Not violent but gentle (1 Tim 3:3) - Peaceful conflict resolution
  "not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous"

  1 Timothy 3:3 NKJV
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  Not a lover of money (1 Tim 3:3) - Content, not greedy
  "not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous"

  1 Timothy 3:3 NKJV
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  Manages household well (1 Tim 3:4-5) - Proven leadership in family
  "one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)"

  1 Timothy 3:4-5 NKJV
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  Not a recent convert (1 Tim 3:6) - Spiritually mature, tested over time
  "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil"

  1 Timothy 3:6 NKJV

Responsibilities

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  Shepherd the flock (1 Pet 5:2) - Spiritual care and guidance
  "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly"

  1 Peter 5:2 NKJV
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  Be examples (1 Pet 5:3) - Model Christ-like living
  "nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock"

  1 Peter 5:3 NKJV
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  Teach sound doctrine (Titus 1:9) - Defend and proclaim truth
  "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict"

  Titus 1:9 NKJV
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  Keep watch over souls (Heb 13:17) - Spiritual accountability
  "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account"

  Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

Authority

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  Final decision-making in group matters (Acts 15:22)
  "Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch"

  Acts 15:22 NKJV
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  Church discipline when necessary (Matt 18:17)
  "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector"

  Matthew 18:17 NKJV
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  Accountable to God for those under their care (Heb 13:17)
  "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account"

  Hebrews 13:17 NKJV