by esther phinias | 24 March 2025 08:46 pm03
In God’s divine plan for the church, He has established various ministries and spiritual gifts to perfect His people, equip them for service, and advance His kingdom on earth. Each of these roles is crucial to maintaining a healthy and growing church body.
In the New Testament, God instituted five primary ministries to help guide the church, teach the Word, and equip believers for the work of ministry. These ministries are:
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers (Ephesians 4:11-13)
While these ministries are foundational, other roles in the church support and collaborate with these primary ministries. Specifically, elders, bishops, and deacons are essential for the spiritual oversight and practical needs of the church.
1) ELDERS
The office of elder (Greek: presbyteros) has its roots in the Old Testament Jewish tradition, where elders were appointed to lead the community and make decisions in the congregation. The role evolved in the New Testament, with the apostles continuing this tradition in the early church.
Elders are spiritually mature leaders tasked with overseeing the spiritual health of the church, teaching, shepherding, and providing counsel. The office of elder is reserved for men, as reflected in the New Testament letters.
Biblical Qualifications for Elders
The qualifications for an elder are outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The qualities required include:
Above reproach: Their lives should be blameless and free from any major accusation. This does not mean perfection but consistent Christlikeness (1 Timothy 3:2).
Husband of one wife: A man who is faithful in marriage, reflecting the purity of the marriage covenant (Titus 1:6).
Temperate, self-controlled, respectable: Elders should have a well-ordered life, with self-discipline in both their emotions and actions (1 Timothy 3:2).
Able to teach: This is essential for instructing the congregation in sound doctrine, and protecting the church from false teachings (Titus 1:9).
Not quarrelsome: Elders should be peacemakers, not prone to conflict or division (1 Timothy 3:3).
Manage their own household well: A man who cannot manage his family should not be entrusted with the church, as the family is often a training ground for leadership (1 Timothy 3:4-5).
Not a recent convert: Elders should be spiritually mature, with a well-established faith (1 Timothy 3:6).
Biblical Role and Responsibilities of Elders
Elders are responsible for:
Shepherding the flock: Elders are called to care for the spiritual well-being of the church, protecting them from harm and guiding them in the truth (Acts 20:28).
Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28, NIV)
Teaching sound doctrine: Elders must teach the Word of God with clarity and faithfulness, ensuring that the church remains grounded in the truth (1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:9).
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17, NIV)
Praying for the sick and troubled: Elders are to be involved in praying for the healing and restoration of the church members (James 5:14-15).
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14, NIV)
2) BISHOPS
The term bishop (Greek: episkopos) means “overseer” or “supervisor.” Bishops are primarily responsible for overseeing multiple congregations or the broader ministry within a region. While bishops share many responsibilities with elders, their scope of ministry is typically broader.
Biblical Qualifications for Bishops
The qualifications for a bishop are similar to those of an elder, as seen in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. However, bishops are often viewed as those who have the responsibility of overseeing a group of churches, while elders typically focus on individual congregations.
Biblical Role and Responsibilities of Bishops
Bishops have the following key roles:
Overseeing the church: A bishop’s primary responsibility is the spiritual oversight of churches, including doctrinal integrity, pastoral care, and leadership development (Titus 1:5-9).
An overseer is entrusted with God’s work; they must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. (Titus 1:7, NIV)
Guarding the faith: Bishops must safeguard the purity of the gospel and ensure that the church remains faithful to the truth of Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
Providing leadership: Bishops are entrusted with guiding and leading the church in its mission to reach the lost, equip the saints, and strengthen the church in its pursuit of God’s purposes (1 Timothy 3:1).
3) DEACONS
Deacons are servants in the church, tasked with overseeing practical matters and meeting the physical needs of the congregation. The role of deacon (Greek: diakonos) is rooted in the early church when the apostles recognized the need for individuals to manage the distribution of resources to widows and others in need (Acts 6:1-6).
Deacons are often chosen for their ability to serve selflessly and demonstrate faith in action. The role is not less important than that of elders or bishops, but it is more focused on hands-on ministry and service.
Biblical Qualifications for Deacons
Deacons are required to meet certain moral and spiritual qualifications:
Dignified and trustworthy: Deacons must have a good reputation, integrity, and a deep commitment to Christ (1 Timothy 3:8).
In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.” (1 Timothy 3:8, NIV)
Biblical Role and Responsibilities of Deacons
Deacons serve in the following ways:
Serving physical needs: Deacons are entrusted with meeting the practical needs of the church, including caring for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized (Acts 6:1-6).
We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4, NIV)
Serving with a spirit of humility: Deacons demonstrate Christlike humility by serving others with no expectation of recognition or reward (Mark 10:45).
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. (Mark 10:43-44, NIV)
Conclusion
In conclusion, elders, bishops, and deacons all play vital roles in the life of the church. Elders provide spiritual oversight and shepherding, bishops oversee multiple congregations and protect the faith, and deacons handle practical matters, serving the church body in tangible ways. These roles are not hierarchical but complementary, working together to ensure the church’s spiritual health, practical needs, and doctrinal integrity.
Each office reflects a unique aspect of Christ’s own ministry: His shepherding care (elders), His authority and oversight (bishops), and His servant-hearted nature (deacons). May God continue to raise up faithful men and women to serve in these critical roles for the advancement of His kingdom.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2025/03/24/what-is-the-difference-between-bishops-deacons-and-elders-in-the-church/
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