St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology (Jun 2023)
Bishops
Abstract
This article examines the phenomenon of bishops in Christian theology, church history, and the present role, work, and identity of a bishop. The article tries to answer the questions: ‘what does a bishop do?’ and ‘what is a bishop for?’ The approach to answering this question assesses scriptural, historical, theological, liturgical, and ecumenical material, but it concentrates on the ministry of a bishop as an ecclesial practice, looking at it phenomenologically, functionally, and experientially. The role of bishops in the church and especially in church unity has been extensively discussed in ecumenical dialogue during the past century. But surprisingly – and in contrast to the literature on the ministry of priests and even (more recently) deacons – little has been written about the actual work and role of a bishop in the church and about what it is like to be a bishop: the unique episcopal experience (Avis 2015). The article begins by looking at the origins of episcopacy in the New Testament and in the early Christian era, and goes on to survey the variegated evolution of episcopal ministry in the worldwide church. The article then concentrates on the common tasks and responsibilities of bishops, how the episcopate is related in theology and practice to the ministries of priests, deacons, and lay people in the church, and the role of bishops in the public square. In conclusion, the article briefly examines the way that the ecumenical movement and its theology has treated the perceived promise and problem of episcopacy for Christian unity.
