adminIN my last article I was lamenting moral decadence in some of our clergy. Immediately after doing that article it occurred to me that for some of these priests/pastors some of their behaviour is not of their making really, it’s not their fault. The problem lies with their leaders, the bishops. These priests will just be furthering the agendas of their bishops. We all know that a rotting fish smells from the head and the behaviour of certain priests can also be a manifestation of the behaviour of their leader, the bishop.
What is a bishop? Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia defines a Bishopas an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Old Catholic and Independent Catholic churches and in the East, bishops claim apostolic succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles. Within these churches, bishops are seen as those who possess the full priesthood and can ordain clergy – including other bishops. One who has been ordained deacon, priest. Bishop is understood to hold the fullness of the (ministerial) priesthood, given responsibility by Christ to govern and teach. Priests, deacons and lay ministers co-operate and assist their bishop(s) in shepherding a flock in a Diocese.
I was going through the Paul Pastoral Epistle, 1 Timothy 3 : 1-7 where Paul speaks twice regarding the office of the bishop which he refers to as the “qualifications of elders”, those he considered the leaders of the local church.
Paul says “if anyone aspires to the office of overseer (bishop), he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity, keeping his children submissive. If someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”
Going back to Paul’s list we conclude several things. First, the job is a noble task that needs someone above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober minded and self-controlled. The Bishop’s name must not be mentioned in bad stories such as drunkenness, womanising or homosexuality. This is an abomination to the office of the bishop. When a bishop is said to be sodomising other men in his church it’s a mockery to the holy office.
The bishop should be respectable and hospitable. Respect is not automatic; the bishop should earn respect by being humble like Jesus. Humility is crucial for the office of the bishop. I like the Shona idiom, “Gudo guru petamuswe vapwere vagokuremekedza” (“If you are big, be humble so the little ones will respect you). I have a problem with Church leaders who always remind their folk that they are the leaders and it’s their authority that reigns. This is a sign of some inferiority complex and immaturity. It’s like a father who always reminds his family that he is the father and he calls the shots. The fact that you are father is known already even by your dogs, why remind your family?
To be Continued next week
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