What is the episcopacy? The English word episcopal is taken
from the Greek επίσκοπος (epis-kopos)
which literally means, overseer. In English the word evolved from bisceop to
bishop.
In the ancient church the overseer was the head of a local
congregation much like we think of as a rector today. The office is attested to in Scripture in Ss.
Peter and Paul’s letters and the Book of Acts.
Tradition holds that the office of bishop was an unbroken chain of
authority passed down from the apostles by the laying on hands and the
confirmation of having seen the risen Christ.
Therefor the office of bishop was also an apostolic ministry (to be
“sent”) responsible for proclaiming the gospel.
During the first 300 years of the Christian movement the
church grew rapidly. At times, a
congregation needed to subdivide for worship and fellowship due to
persecutions, geographical distances, as well as the lack of large meeting
spaces. As a sign of the unity between
these congregations the episkopos remained the head of these regional
gatherings. Presbyters (elders) and
deacons (servants) were given charge in the overseer’s absence.
When the church became the established religion of the Roman
empire congregations grew to the point that the office of bishop was distinct
from direct congregational leadership.
Although, he remained the pastoral, administrative, and unifying symbol
of the various congregations.
Over the centuries we have inherited a great wealth of
writings, sermons, and teachings from the collective works of these pastors and
theologians. Unfortunately, we have also
seen how the unscrupulous have risen to abuse the authority and resources for
which this office is responsible.
The question of the role of bishop was a large part of
restructuring Protestant churches during the Reformation. Congregational churches opted to dispel the
office entirely opting for local and democratic control. Others who believe in a more universal
connectivity of the church maintained the office of bishop as that symbol of
unity.
The modern Episcopal Church in the United States made its
declaration at its founding by naming itself Episcopal after the American
Revolution separated the Church of England from its former colonies.
The role of a bishop today carries similar expectations of
chief pastor for his or her diocese. While the bishop delegates to local clergy
the celebration of sacraments those functions actually belong to the bishop’s
ministry by proxy. The office continues
to be a sign of connectedness to other Episcopalians and Anglicans throughout
the diocese and internationally.
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