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

The terms for “pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop” are virtually synonymous, and probably refer to the same office, with emphases on different roles and responsibilities of Christian leadership in the Church. The origins and the development of the office of the bishop may probably be connected to the council of elders in Jewish rulership where an elder could be recognized as one to speak on behalf of and represent the entire council of elders. Through church history, the office of the bishop has expanded to refer to those individuals who have been either appointed or elected to a position of oversight over a number of pastors or groups of congregations in a given context. The qualifications for bishop are clearly outlined in the New Testament, including extended passages in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and concretely demonstrated in the example of Jesus, referred to as the “Shepherd and Bishop of our souls,” 1 Pet. 2.23. Bishops have been selected in various ways through the history of the Church, and once installed, have been given substantive authority to oversee pastors and churches for their edification and growth. As a “pastor of pastors,” bishops provide concrete answerability to all pastors and churches under their charge. While some traditions may reject the nomenclature (i.e., language) of the bishop, most groups have supervisors who assume the function of a bishop, i.e., ongoing oversight and supervision of churches in association together. The Word of God and church tradition provide us with several key images to understand the role and function of the office of the bishop: the bishop as overseer of pastors and churches functions as supervisor, apostle, and as spiritual director. As supervisor the bishop functions as a superintendent, coordinating and organizing the outreach, personnel, and resources of churches under his/her care to make maximum impact for the Church’s edification and the Kingdom’s advancement. As an apostle , the bishop functions as one charged with the ongoing care of new churches and their leaders, doing all they can to ensure the protection, edification and development of the them.

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