Question 179: What is the ministry of bishops?

Answer:

The ministry of bishops is to guard the faith, unity, and order of the Church. As successors to the apostles, bishops are entrusted with overseeing the Church’s teaching, sacramental life, and pastoral care. They ordain deacons and priests, confirm the baptized, shepherd the flock, and represent the Church in unity with the wider Anglican Communion. (1 Timothy 3:1–2, Titus 1:7–9, Acts 20:28, 2 Timothy 2:2)

Full Scripture References

“This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach.” — 1 Timothy 3:1–2 (BSB)

“Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” — Titus 1:7–8 (BSB)

“Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the Church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” — Acts 20:28 (BSB)

“And the things you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will also be qualified to teach others.” — 2 Timothy 2:2 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

Bishops are the chief pastors and overseers of the Church. As successors to the apostles, they are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of guarding the doctrine, unity, and discipline of the Church. They ensure that the Word of God is faithfully preached, the Sacraments rightly administered, and the clergy properly trained and supported.

A bishop’s ministry is both spiritual and pastoral. He is to be a shepherd to his clergy and congregations, a teacher of sound doctrine, a defender of the faith, and a visible symbol of the Church’s unity. Bishops also represent the diocese in wider Church gatherings and maintain communion with other bishops across the Anglican Communion.

Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “The bishop is not a mere administrator—he is a successor to the apostles, called to proclaim Christ, safeguard the faith, and shepherd the Church with wisdom and courage.”

Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word, ACNA) explains, “The bishop’s ministry is grounded in Scripture and service. He is to be a watchman for the truth, a pastor to the pastors, and a guardian of the Church’s integrity in a confused world.”

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer Ordinal describes the office of bishop as one called “to feed the flock of Christ… to be a shepherd, not a wolf; to hold up the doctrine of the Gospel, and banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine.”

J.C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool, wrote, “A true bishop is no prince or lord, but a minister of Christ—a teacher, a pastor, and a servant of the Gospel. His strength lies in Scripture, not in status.” (Knots Untied, 1874)

Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “Bishops must lead with humility, preach with boldness, and walk in holiness. Their task is not to build empires, but to build up the Body of Christ in truth and love.”

The ministry of bishops glorifies Christ when exercised in faithfulness to Scripture, in loving care for the Church, and in bold witness to the truth.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD): “Where the bishop is, there is the Church. Let all revere the bishop as they would the Lord, for he is Christ’s appointed overseer.” — Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 8

St. Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200–258 AD): “The bishop is in the Church and the Church is in the bishop. Whoever is not with the bishop is not with the Church.” — Letter 66

St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “The bishop must first be a humble servant of Christ, that he may rightly oversee the people of Christ. Let him teach with clarity, love with sincerity, and lead with courage.” — Sermon 340

St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD): “The bishop’s heart must be near the people and near to God. He must comfort the suffering, defend the truth, and bear the weight of many souls.” — Pastoral Rule, I.2