Leaders in the Church: Bishops, Deacons, and Elders

Jesus Christ’s Example

Jesus Christ was the greatest leader who ever lived. He watched over others as the good shepherd. He ran to serve and minister, even washing his disciples’ feet. And he grew and matured in God’s Word, love, and power because of his meek and lowly heart. He set the example of what a bishop (one watching over), deacon (minister, servant), and elder (mature leader) should be.

I Peter 2:24,25:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop [episkopos] of your souls.

Jesus Christ gave his life for us and brought us into God’s fold. We were like lost sheep, but Christ came to save us and watch over us as our Lord. He fulfilled what Isaiah said he would do.

Isaiah 53:5,6:
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus Christ was also the greatest minister and servant of all time.

Matthew 20:26-28:
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister [diakonos];
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [diakoneō], and to give his life a ransom for many.

And Jesus was an elder, the most mature leader of his time. But the so-called “elders” did not acknowledge God’s only-begotten Son as their Messiah and true ruler. Jesus said so.

Luke 9:22:
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders [presbuteros] and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Yet, Jesus Christ was the meekest and wisest of men. From his childhood, he grew and learned and matured to be God’s well-pleasing Son.

Luke 2:52:
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Three Types of Leaders: Peter’s Description

These three types of leadership—watching over, serving all, and living with maturity—are important aspects of serving in the Christian church. Jesus Christ taught perhaps his greatest disciple what these types of leaders should be. The Apostle Peter spoke of the qualities that true leaders should exemplify.

I Peter 5:1-4:
The elders [presbuteros] which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [episkopeō] thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Elders and bishops (and deacons) were not to be motivated by fleshly desires, but to walk by the spirit of God in the love of Christ. They were to lead with the following attitude and mindset:

Not by constraint or being forced to (by worldly ambition or pride or obligation)

But with personal desire out of a love for God, Jesus Christ, and others

Not get any money or personal gain from such service

But with a great passion to give and bless others

Not acting as someone better or “holier than thou” among the people

But setting an example for others to follow

Three Types of Leaders: Paul’s Description

Jesus Christ appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, who later became Paul, a servant of his Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul was a strong and valiant leader in the early Christian church. He traveled and ministered around the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. He took two young men with him while spreading the good news about Jesus Christ. Paul taught both Timothy and Titus by his example, and also by letters written to them.

God gave Paul the revelation in these letters to describe these three types of church leaders: bishops, deacons, and elders. A bishop is literally one who “looks over” and cares for others. It comes from the Greek preposition epi, meaning over, and skopeō, meaning to look at. A deacon is literally one who “runs to serve” to meet the needs of others. It comes from the Greek diakō, meaning to run errands. An elder is someone who has matured in the Christian faith, irrespective of their physical age. It comes from the Greek presbuteros, meaning an aged and wise person.

The following chart shows Paul’s description of what each of these types of leaders should be in serving the church. There are common qualities required for this type of service. An episkopos (bishop) seems to have been a leader who watched over the diakonos (deacon) like a shepherd. Both the bishop and deacon could be “elders” (presbuteros) because of their maturity in the Christian faith.

Please note the attitude of service required for bishops, deacons, and elders in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. The New Testament Greek is given, along with transliterated English for comparison.

In looking at this chart, we see 25 qualities required for service in the church as a bishop, deacon, and elder.

1. ready on all points: not tricked by the adversary’s devices
2. husband of one wife: faithful to care for others, even if unmarried
3. sober: alert and awake to the challenges of life
4. not given to much wine: able to control passions, especially alcohol or drugs
5. sound minded: thinking whole thoughts, keeping God’s Word in heart
6. orderly, in step: able to follow and stick to responsibilities
7. hospitable: loving to share and be with others
8. teaching well: always ready and able to instruct with God’s Word
9. living the mystery: seeing self as a part of the one body of Christ
10. a good steward: maintaining and properly caring for what God gives
11. not self-willed: overcoming pride and selfish ambition
12. but doing God’s will: lowly and humble in heart
13. not a striker: never looking to hurt or ridicule others
14. not after shameful gain: knowing that God meets every need
15. patient: not hasty or in a hurry, giving people time to learn and grow
16. not antagonizing: never looking for a fight, accommodating others
17. loving good: thankful for God’s blessings in this life
18. not loving worldly wealth: not covetous and trying to be own sufficiency
19. ruling well his own house: keeping his family life in order
20. having Word-living children: training children in the truth
21. grave: showing dignity and godliness with a peaceful way of life
22. just: fair and honest with all, never playing favorites in the body of Christ
23. holy: pure-hearted and thankful for our sanctification in Christ
24. well proven: experienced in service and loving deeds
25. able to speak God’s Word to those inside or outside the Church: preaching and teaching

May we, as those who watch over and serve and maturely lead the body of Christ, take heed to what our Father has called us to do. Let’s be like our Lord Jesus Christ in our service and love. Let’s follow the qualities and standards set forth in Peter and Paul’s epistles so that we can be well pleasing to our Father.