Presiding Bishop
Encyclopedia
The Presiding Bishop is an ecclesiastical position in some denominations
of Christianity
.
(ELCA) is the chief ecumenical officer of the church, and the leader and caretaker for the bishops of the synods. The presiding bishop chairs the biennial Churchwide Assembly and provides for the preparation of agendas for the assembly, the Church Council and its executive committee, the Conference of Bishops, and the Cabinet of Executives. The Presiding Bishop of the ELCA is elected to a maximum of two six year terms and is charged with initiating policy, developing strategy and overseeing administration of the entire church. The presiding bishop also serves as a figurehead and speaks on behalf of the entire church.
Currently, Mark S. Hanson serves in the position, having been elected in June 2001. He was installed as Presiding Bishop in a service at the Rockefeller Chapel
in Chicago, IL on October 6, 2001 in front of 1,600 persons.
(ELCIC), a mainline Lutheran body similar to the ELCA, uses the term "national bishop" for a similar position. Most other Lutheran churches in North America, especially the Confessional Lutheran
bodies use a congregationalist structure and call their national leaders "president." The Lutheran Churches of Sweden and Finland use the therm Archbishop
.
, the Presiding Bishop is the chief pastor
and primate
of the national church and its nine ecclesiastical province
s. The Presiding Bishop is charged with responsibility for leadership in initiating, developing, and articulating policy and strategy, overseeing the administration of the national church staff, and speaking for the church on issues of concern and interest. He or she is the president of the House of Bishops
and is elected by the church's General Convention
to serve a single nine-year term. The correct style for the Presiding Bishop is "The Most Reverend".
The role and importance of the office has grown over time. Originally, the Presiding Bishop was simply the senior diocesan bishop
who presided over the House of Bishops. In 1919, the office was transformed into an elected one, and in the 1940s the decision was made that the Presiding Bishop should resign any other jurisdictions for which he or she might have pastoral responsibility. In this respect, the office is different from that of an archbishop
found in other churches in the Anglican Communion
which have diocesan responsibilities in addition to overseeing a national church. In the 1970s, the Presiding Bishop was given authority to enter dioceses for sacramental
and preaching ministry, consulting with bishops, and related purposes. The Presiding Bishop was given the title of primate in 1982.
Presently, Katharine Jefferts Schori
holds the position, having been elected in June 2006. She was invested and seated as Presiding Bishop in a service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
on November 4, 2006. Jefferts Schori is the first woman to hold the position.
, first bishop of Georgia
was the only Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America
.
is the current Presiding Bishop. This church continues Apostolic Succession
through George D. Cummins
who left the Episcopal Church, USA in the 19th century.
The Presiding Bishop is an office in the church hierarchy of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint
or Mormonism
movement. Each Presiding Bishop has two counselors; the three together form the Presiding Bishopric. A man recognized as a "literal descendent of Aaron" (or Kohanim
) can, under the direction of the First Presidency
, hold the office of Presiding Bishop alone, without counselors. To date, no man in any Latter Day Saint tradition has held the office of Presiding Bishop under these conditions.
The office shares its origin with that of bishop
. Edward Partridge
was the first man ordained to the office of bishop in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 4, 1831. This office became known as the First Bishop and later the "Presiding Bishop" when subordinate bishops were called in the Nauvoo
period (1839–1844).
After the 1844 succession crisis
, the office of Presiding Bishop evolved separately in different denominations of the movement.
, the Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood. The three members of the Presiding Bishopric act as "general authorities
" of the church, oversee the temporal affairs (buildings, properties, commercial corporations, etc.) of the church and oversee the bishoprics of wards (congregations) throughout the world.
Along with the First Presidency
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Bishopric is a part of the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
, a quorum which oversees and authorizes the expenditure of all tithing
funds. The Presiding Bishopric is also responsible for overseeing the Aaronic priesthood of the church, although most of the work in this area is delegated to the general presidency of the Young Men Organization.
The current Presiding Bishop of the church is H. David Burton
. His First Counselor is Richard C. Edgley
and his Second Counselor is Keith B. McMullin
.
, the second largest denomination, are the chief financial officers and trustees of the church. As such, they are trustees in trust for all church property, including local congregational facilities. They are responsible for the administration of the temporal affairs of the whole church. They lead the Order of Bishops in providing support and mentoring to the financial officers of congregations and mission centers. The Presiding Bishopric serves also as the presidency of the Aaronic priesthood and leads the Order of Bishops in providing support, training, and advocacy in empowering the Aaronic Ministers. They direct the stewardship education efforts of the church and lead financial development efforts with major donors. The Presiding Bishopric is a part of the World Church Leadership Council, along with the First Presidency and Council of Twelve Apostles. They also serve as members of the World Church Finance Board, which proposes budgets to the World Conference for approval.
The current Presiding Bishop of the church is Steven M. Jones and the Counselors are R. Paul Davis and David J. Brown.
is currently Bishop Charles E. Blake
. His duties are to oversee and supervise everything religious that goes on in the denomination. He was preceded in this position by Bishop G.E. Patterson.
Religious denomination
A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.The term describes various Christian denominations...
of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaEvangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
(ELCA) is the chief ecumenical officer of the church, and the leader and caretaker for the bishops of the synods. The presiding bishop chairs the biennial Churchwide Assembly and provides for the preparation of agendas for the assembly, the Church Council and its executive committee, the Conference of Bishops, and the Cabinet of Executives. The Presiding Bishop of the ELCA is elected to a maximum of two six year terms and is charged with initiating policy, developing strategy and overseeing administration of the entire church. The presiding bishop also serves as a figurehead and speaks on behalf of the entire church.
Currently, Mark S. Hanson serves in the position, having been elected in June 2001. He was installed as Presiding Bishop in a service at the Rockefeller Chapel
Rockefeller Chapel
Rockefeller Chapel is, by order, the tallest building on the campus of the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. It was meant by patron John D...
in Chicago, IL on October 6, 2001 in front of 1,600 persons.
Other Lutheran Churches
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in CanadaEvangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada's largest Lutheran denomination, with 152,788 baptized members in 624 congregations, with the second largest, the Lutheran Church–Canada, having 72,116 baptized members...
(ELCIC), a mainline Lutheran body similar to the ELCA, uses the term "national bishop" for a similar position. Most other Lutheran churches in North America, especially the Confessional Lutheran
Confessional Lutheran
Confessional Lutheran is a name used by certain Lutheran Christians to designate themselves as those who accept the doctrines taught in the Book of Concord of 1580 in their entirety, because they believe them to be completely faithful to the teachings of the Bible...
bodies use a congregationalist structure and call their national leaders "president." The Lutheran Churches of Sweden and Finland use the therm Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
.
Episcopal Church in the USA
In the Episcopal Church in the United States of AmericaEpiscopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
, the Presiding Bishop is the chief pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and primate
Primate (religion)
Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
of the national church and its nine ecclesiastical province
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
s. The Presiding Bishop is charged with responsibility for leadership in initiating, developing, and articulating policy and strategy, overseeing the administration of the national church staff, and speaking for the church on issues of concern and interest. He or she is the president of the House of Bishops
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops is the third House in a General Synod of some Anglican churches and the second house in the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.-Composition of Houses of Bishops:...
and is elected by the church's General Convention
General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America
The General Convention is the primary governing and legislative body of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. With the exception of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Constitution and Canons, it is the ultimate authority in the Episcopal Church. General Convention...
to serve a single nine-year term. The correct style for the Presiding Bishop is "The Most Reverend".
The role and importance of the office has grown over time. Originally, the Presiding Bishop was simply the senior diocesan bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
who presided over the House of Bishops. In 1919, the office was transformed into an elected one, and in the 1940s the decision was made that the Presiding Bishop should resign any other jurisdictions for which he or she might have pastoral responsibility. In this respect, the office is different from that of an archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
found in other churches in the Anglican Communion
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
which have diocesan responsibilities in addition to overseeing a national church. In the 1970s, the Presiding Bishop was given authority to enter dioceses for sacramental
Sacramental
Sacramental may refer to:* Sacramental, as an adjective means of or pertaining to sacraments* Sacramentals, in Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism, objects whose supernatural effects, unlike those of a sacrament, depend on the belief of the recipient...
and preaching ministry, consulting with bishops, and related purposes. The Presiding Bishop was given the title of primate in 1982.
Presently, Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Katharine Jefferts Schori is the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Previously elected as the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, she is the first woman elected as a primate of the Anglican Communion...
holds the position, having been elected in June 2006. She was invested and seated as Presiding Bishop in a service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on November 4, 2006. Jefferts Schori is the first woman to hold the position.
Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America
Stephen ElliottStephen Elliott (bishop)
The Right Reverend Stephen Elliott was the 37th bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He was the first Bishop of Georgia and Provisional Bishop of Florida...
, first bishop of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
was the only Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
.
Reformed Episcopal Church
Leonard W. RichesLeonard W. Riches
Leonard Wayne Riches is the current Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church and bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic of his denomination. He received the Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Divinity Honoris causa from...
is the current Presiding Bishop. This church continues Apostolic Succession
Apostolic Succession
Apostolic succession is a doctrine, held by some Christian denominations, which asserts that the chosen successors of the Twelve Apostles, from the first century to the present day, have inherited the spiritual, ecclesiastical and sacramental authority, power, and responsibility that were...
through George D. Cummins
George David Cummins
George David Cummins was an American bishop and founder of the Reformed Episcopal Church.-Life and career:George David Cummins was born in Delaware on 11 December 1822. He graduated from Dickinson College in 1841, and entered the Methodist ministry.In 1845 Cummins took orders in the Protestant...
who left the Episcopal Church, USA in the 19th century.
- Note: The Reformed Episcopal Church is not in communion with the Anglican CommunionAnglican CommunionThe Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
.
Latter Day Saints
- See also: Bishop (Latter Day Saints): Presiding Bishop and Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:...
The Presiding Bishop is an office in the church hierarchy of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
or Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
movement. Each Presiding Bishop has two counselors; the three together form the Presiding Bishopric. A man recognized as a "literal descendent of Aaron" (or Kohanim
Kohen
A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
) can, under the direction of the First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
, hold the office of Presiding Bishop alone, without counselors. To date, no man in any Latter Day Saint tradition has held the office of Presiding Bishop under these conditions.
The office shares its origin with that of bishop
Bishop (Mormonism)
Bishop is the highest priesthood office of the Aaronic priesthood in the Latter Day Saint movement. A bishop is usually the leader of a local congregation of church members. The Latter Day Saint concept of the office differs significantly from the role of bishops in other Christian denominations,...
. Edward Partridge
Edward Partridge
Edward Partridge was the grandson of Massachusetts Congressman Oliver Partridge, Esq., and a member of a family noted for commercial, social, political, and military leadership in Western Massachusetts. One of the first converts to the Latter Day Saint movement, he was baptized in or near Seneca...
was the first man ordained to the office of bishop in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 4, 1831. This office became known as the First Bishop and later the "Presiding Bishop" when subordinate bishops were called in the Nauvoo
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
period (1839–1844).
After the 1844 succession crisis
Succession crisis (Mormonism)
The succession crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement occurred after the violent death of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., on June 27, 1844....
, the office of Presiding Bishop evolved separately in different denominations of the movement.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest denomination of the Latter Day Saint movementLatter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, the Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood. The three members of the Presiding Bishopric act as "general authorities
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
" of the church, oversee the temporal affairs (buildings, properties, commercial corporations, etc.) of the church and oversee the bishoprics of wards (congregations) throughout the world.
Along with the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Bishopric is a part of the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
The Council on the Disposition of the Tithes is a leadership body in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, composed of the First Presidency, the Presiding Bishopric, and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Council determines how the tithing funds of the church will be spent...
, a quorum which oversees and authorizes the expenditure of all tithing
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
funds. The Presiding Bishopric is also responsible for overseeing the Aaronic priesthood of the church, although most of the work in this area is delegated to the general presidency of the Young Men Organization.
The current Presiding Bishop of the church is H. David Burton
H. David Burton
Harold David Burton has been the thirteenth Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 27 December 1995. He has been a general authority of the LDS Church since October 1992....
. His First Counselor is Richard C. Edgley
Richard C. Edgley
Richard Crockett Edgley has been the first counselor in the presiding bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 27 December 1995. Edgley has been a general authority of the LDS Church since October 1992.Born in Preston, Idaho, Edgley was called to be the second counselor...
and his Second Counselor is Keith B. McMullin
Keith B. McMullin
Keith Brigham McMullin has been the second counselor in the presiding bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a general authority of the LDS Church since 27 December 1995....
.
Community of Christ
The Presiding Bishopric of the Community of ChristCommunity of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
, the second largest denomination, are the chief financial officers and trustees of the church. As such, they are trustees in trust for all church property, including local congregational facilities. They are responsible for the administration of the temporal affairs of the whole church. They lead the Order of Bishops in providing support and mentoring to the financial officers of congregations and mission centers. The Presiding Bishopric serves also as the presidency of the Aaronic priesthood and leads the Order of Bishops in providing support, training, and advocacy in empowering the Aaronic Ministers. They direct the stewardship education efforts of the church and lead financial development efforts with major donors. The Presiding Bishopric is a part of the World Church Leadership Council, along with the First Presidency and Council of Twelve Apostles. They also serve as members of the World Church Finance Board, which proposes budgets to the World Conference for approval.
The current Presiding Bishop of the church is Steven M. Jones and the Counselors are R. Paul Davis and David J. Brown.
Church of God in Christ
The Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in ChristChurch of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
is currently Bishop Charles E. Blake
Charles E. Blake
Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr. serves as the Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., a 6 million-member Pentecostal-Holiness denomination. On March 21, 2007, he became the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., as a result of Presiding Bishop...
. His duties are to oversee and supervise everything religious that goes on in the denomination. He was preceded in this position by Bishop G.E. Patterson.
See also
- BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
- Primate (religion)Primate (religion)Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
- Ecclesiastical polityEcclesiastical polityEcclesiastical polity is the operational and governance structure of a church or Christian denomination. It also denotes the ministerial structure of the church and the authority relationships between churches...
- Episcopal polityEpiscopal polityEpiscopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
External links
- Presiding Bishop at the website of the Episcopal Church in the USA