Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

II. Origins and Development of the Office of the Bishop

Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would be strife on account of the office of oversight. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore- knowledge of this, they appointed those already mentioned. Afterwards, they gave instructions, that when those men should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, there- fore, that those eminent men, with the consent of the whole church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. ~ Clement of Rome (c. 96, W), 1.17., Ibid. appointed by the apostles or after- wards by other

A. The Council of the Elders in Jewish governance

1. The council of elders = those leaders who served as leaders over the various tribes of Israel, and who together exercised authority for its protection and growth

2. Elders were equal in status; governed through dialogue and consensus reached on issues together.

B. Notion of the Bishop

1. Probably emerged in relation to the concept of oversight within the Council of the Elders

2. A bishop = an elder recognized by the other members of the council as an overseer to speak on behalf of and represent the entire council of elders

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a. Rooted in Jewish precedents

b. Informed by secular systems of governance

C. Definitions of leadership in great transition during NT era

1. Phil. 1.1 and Acts 20 show that the definitions between the various terms (i.e., pastor, elder, and bishop) are in a period of transition.