What is the role of a bishop?
The Outline of the Faith provided by our Book of Common Prayer answers the question: “What is the ministry of a bishop?” in this way: The ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry.” (BCP, p. 855) Thus, a bishop is the chief priest and pastor of a diocese, and all other clergy derive their ministry from him or her. He or she is the guardian of the faith, responsible to see that the full truth of the Gospel of God in Christ is proclaimed. He or she administers the discipline of the Church and is responsible for seeing that the official worship of the Church is regularly used in the Churches under his care. In the Book of Common Prayer, the Preface to the Ordination Rites st
