of Bishops

What does the Bible say about bishops? Paul wrote a pretty concise and clear set of qualifications to Timothy in Chapter Three, he said:

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Bishops are not only to be the commanders, but more importantly the leaders of the Church. They are to “Go forth and preach the Word of God!” They are to be exhort their followers to follow them towards God, to do His Will, to serve the Lord in all they do. Understanding that, do you know how many bishops lead their flocks from the heresy of the TEC? Zero, that is how many. The so called “conservative” bishops who remain in the TEC have a plan for their flocks, they just cannot tell anyone. They would rather be collegial with their fellow bishops or bishopettes than “Go forth and preach the Word of God!” They are willing to associate collegially with those who publicly admit they do not believe in God, that they do not believe Jesus was the Son of God.

What did Jesus say about this desire to “just get along”?

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his church, and the deacon against his priest, and the bishop against the arch bishop. And a man's foes shall be they of his own church. He that loveth his place in the church more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth priest or bishop more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:34 – Slightly modified

If you look around the Anglican and so-called Anglican Communion, you will see how fortunate we are to have Bishop Boyce. He is a follower of God, a good man and a leader. He knows what he should do and he does it, regardless of who is looking. Such are few and far between.