What is a Bishop?

The word ‘bishop’ derives from the Greek episkopos, meaning ‘overseer’. In the early days of the Christian Church, an episkopos was the leader of the Christian community in a particular city. The episkopos was assisted by presbuteroi (‘elders’; the English word ‘priest’ is derived from this) and diakonoi (‘servants’; ‘deacons’).

Yes, this is where the Episcopal Church gets its name: we are literally ‘the church that has bishops’.

Over time, as the Church grew, the episkopos would come to be the overall leader of multiple Christian groups in a wider area, while the presbuteroi and diakonoi would be dedicated to a specific group.
By the 3rd century, it was generally accepted that a bishop would have overall pastoral responsibility for a geographical area, and would ordain and appoint priests and deacons to serve the individual churches in that area.
One important aspect of a bishop’s role is the idea of ‘Apostolic Succession’; it was generally believed that bishops are ordained in an unbroken line of succession that goes back to the earliest Christian leaders or Apostles.
Because of this, the bishop has been seen as a symbol of unity and continuity in the Church.
During the Reformation, many of the Protestant churches dispensed with the traditional orders of bishop, priest and deacon, but some (including Anglicans and Lutherans) ultimately retained these roles.
There are different types of bishop in the Anglican tradition - all are bishops, but serve slightly different functions. Specifically in the Episcopal Church, there are:

The Presiding Bishop

Elected by General Convention; serves a maximum of 3 3-year terms. Acts as the overall spiritual leader of the national Church.

Diocesan Bishops

Elected by Diocesan Convention; acts as the spiritual leader of a geographical area (diocese).

Bishops Coadjutor

Elected by Diocesan Convention; assists the Diocesan Bishop and automatically succeeds them upon retirement or resignation.

Suffragan and Assistant Bishops

Elected by Diocesan Convention; assists the Diocesan Bishop, but does not automatically succeed them.

Provisional Bishops

Elected by convention or appointed by standing committee; acts as spiritual leader of a diocese during a vacancy, until a new diocesan bishop has been elected.

We (the D&NC) are charged with finding candidates for the role of Diocesan Bishop.

What is a Bishop’s role in the Episcopal Church?

A bishop is called to:

Represent the historic and universal Church to the diocese as the chief pastor

This entails overseeing the administration, strategic leadership and pastoral care of the whole diocese.

Guard the faith, unity and discipline of the whole Church

This means the bishop is ultimately responsible for ensuring the Canons (laws) of the Episcopal Church are followed, that good relations are nurtured between the members of the diocese, and that the Church remains true to the Christian faith.

Proclaim God’s Word by preaching and example;

This means the bishop preaches and celebrates the sacraments when they are visiting a parish church, and that they conduct their life in a morally exemplary fashion befitting a person who represents the continuation of Christ’s ministry.

Work towards reconciliation between all people, and between people and God, in the name of Christ;

This means that the bishop has a special responsibility to work for greater understanding and healing between individuals and communities that have experienced pain and separation from God and from one another.
This includes ministering to marginalized communities, including but not limited to those who’ve experienced prejudice due to race, gender, sexual orientation or religious identity.

Ordain bishops, priests and deacons to continue Christ’s ministry;

Only a bishop can confer ordination. It is the bishop’s special responsibility to foster vocations and (with the help of the Commission on Ministry) select and train people for ordained ministry as priests and deacons.

Confirm lay people to live out their ministry (shown in the Baptismal Covenant).

In the Episcopal church, the sacrament of Confirmation is only conferred by a bishop.

References:

The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

-Pages 517-518 (Ordination of a Bishop: The Examination)

-Page 855 (The Catechism: ‘What is the ministry of a bishop?’)

The Episcopal Church, website:

What is a Bishop?

Yes, this is where the Episcopal Church gets its name: we are literally ‘the church that has bishops’.

Over time, as the Church grew, the episkopos would come to be the overall leader of multiple Christian groups in a wider area, while the presbuteroi and diakonoi would be dedicated to a specific group.

By the 3rd century, it was generally accepted that a bishop would have overall pastoral responsibility for a geographical area, and would ordain and appoint priests and deacons to serve the individual churches in that area.

One important aspect of a bishop’s role is the idea of ‘Apostolic Succession’; it was generally believed that bishops are ordained in an unbroken line of succession that goes back to the earliest Christian leaders or Apostles.

Because of this, the bishop has been seen as a symbol of unity and continuity in the Church.

During the Reformation, many of the Protestant churches dispensed with the traditional orders of bishop, priest and deacon, but some (including Anglicans and Lutherans) ultimately retained these roles.

There are different types of bishop in the Anglican tradition - all are bishops, but serve slightly different functions. Specifically in the Episcopal Church, there are:

The Presiding Bishop

Elected by General Convention; serves a maximum of 3 3-year terms. Acts as the overall spiritual leader of the national Church.

Diocesan Bishops

Elected by Diocesan Convention; acts as the spiritual leader of a geographical area (diocese).

Bishops Coadjutor

Elected by Diocesan Convention; assists the Diocesan Bishop and automatically succeeds them upon retirement or resignation.

Suffragan and Assistant Bishops

Elected by Diocesan Convention; assists the Diocesan Bishop, but does not automatically succeed them.

Provisional Bishops

Elected by convention or appointed by standing committee; acts as spiritual leader of a diocese during a vacancy, until a new diocesan bishop has been elected.

We (the D&NC) are charged with finding candidates for the role of Diocesan Bishop.

What is a Bishop’s role in the Episcopal Church?

A bishop is called to:

Represent the historic and universal Church to the diocese as the chief pastor

This entails overseeing the administration, strategic leadership and pastoral care of the whole diocese.

Guard the faith, unity and discipline of the whole Church

This means the bishop is ultimately responsible for ensuring the Canons (laws) of the Episcopal Church are followed, that good relations are nurtured between the members of the diocese, and that the Church remains true to the Christian faith.

Proclaim God’s Word by preaching and example;

This means the bishop preaches and celebrates the sacraments when they are visiting a parish church, and that they conduct their life in a morally exemplary fashion befitting a person who represents the continuation of Christ’s ministry.

Work towards reconciliation between all people, and between people and God, in the name of Christ;

This means that the bishop has a special responsibility to work for greater understanding and healing between individuals and communities that have experienced pain and separation from God and from one another.

This includes ministering to marginalized communities, including but not limited to those who’ve experienced prejudice due to race, gender, sexual orientation or religious identity.

Ordain bishops, priests and deacons to continue Christ’s ministry;

Only a bishop can confer ordination. It is the bishop’s special responsibility to foster vocations and (with the help of the Commission on Ministry) select and train people for ordained ministry as priests and deacons.

Confirm lay people to live out their ministry (shown in the Baptismal Covenant).

In the Episcopal church, the sacrament of Confirmation is only conferred by a bishop.

References:

-https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/bishop/