The Bishops
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Episcopalian government in our, well,
Episcopal Church is ruled by a hierarchy of bishops (episcopoi is
Greek for "bishop" and literally means "overseer"). You'll find the
word "episkpos" or bishop in the New Testament five times: Acts of
the Apostles 20:28, Epistle to the Philippians 1:1, First Epistle
to Timothy 3:2, Epistle to Titus 1:7, First Epistle of Peter
2:25.
The episcopalian (regulated by bishops) style of government has been adopted by the majority of Christian denominations and for most of the history of Christianity it has been the only form of church governance known. Now, there are differences in governmental principles among episcopalian governed churches and the roles bishops play.
In our Anglican Communion, bishops are primus inter pares "heads among equals"; priests who have been elected to oversee ecclesiastical and polity aspects of church governance. While it's always a wonderful and special Sunday when the bishop visits a parish, it's also good to keep in mind that parish visits are part their job description.
In other words, you have to have some folk to run things (settle disputes, sign the checks, provide a system for balances, etc). Though bishops perform special ecclesiastical tasks (ordination, confirmation, etc.), they're no more "priestly" than any other priest.
Ah, but here's the rub: There are very important historical and biblically based reasons why we have bishops... Here are but the very basics: Jurisdictional oversight of the Church is not a power that derives from human ambition, but strictly from the authority of Christ which was given to his twelve apostles. From this one authority, all legitimate, governmental representation of the authority of Christ on the earth is committed, by the Holy Spirit; from the Apostles to the bishops, and from bishops to priests, and in our Anglican Communion, in a continuous historical succession from Christ himself.
So, you see it's not all mitres and copes and staffs. Sure, there's pomp, but there's also weighty and historical circumstance. Episcopalian bishops take on what can an overwhelming position in our church. Give 'em a handshake and wish 'em well next time you meet with one.
The episcopalian (regulated by bishops) style of government has been adopted by the majority of Christian denominations and for most of the history of Christianity it has been the only form of church governance known. Now, there are differences in governmental principles among episcopalian governed churches and the roles bishops play.
In our Anglican Communion, bishops are primus inter pares "heads among equals"; priests who have been elected to oversee ecclesiastical and polity aspects of church governance. While it's always a wonderful and special Sunday when the bishop visits a parish, it's also good to keep in mind that parish visits are part their job description.
In other words, you have to have some folk to run things (settle disputes, sign the checks, provide a system for balances, etc). Though bishops perform special ecclesiastical tasks (ordination, confirmation, etc.), they're no more "priestly" than any other priest.
Ah, but here's the rub: There are very important historical and biblically based reasons why we have bishops... Here are but the very basics: Jurisdictional oversight of the Church is not a power that derives from human ambition, but strictly from the authority of Christ which was given to his twelve apostles. From this one authority, all legitimate, governmental representation of the authority of Christ on the earth is committed, by the Holy Spirit; from the Apostles to the bishops, and from bishops to priests, and in our Anglican Communion, in a continuous historical succession from Christ himself.
So, you see it's not all mitres and copes and staffs. Sure, there's pomp, but there's also weighty and historical circumstance. Episcopalian bishops take on what can an overwhelming position in our church. Give 'em a handshake and wish 'em well next time you meet with one.