BECOMING A BISHOP

   Across the Christian world we use a wide variety of titles to identify different leaders. From denomination to denomination, and from group to group, these titles mean very different things to different people. As a result, when someone is consecrated, commissioned, charged, or ordained into a position with a title, the real meaning of that title lies within the boundaries of its purpose. So, when the title of Bishop at Large was conferred to me last Tuesday, it carried very distinct implications connected to its purpose.

   My function is within the ACTS Network (Apostolic Council of Transformational Servant-Leaders.) This is an internationally operational network of Christian leaders,  unaffiliated with a specific denomination. However, that does not minimize the work and purpose it fulfills. As a network, ACTS is committed to the development and expansion of biblical Christianity under an apostolic framework. This means we are committed to a straightforward, unadorned approach to church polity, governance, and order.

   Early believers knew very little of the wide variety of church perspectives that have become so much a part of modern Christianity. Yet, most of our leadership roles have their origin and identities rooted in the writings of the New Testament. This is true of the office of Bishop. And this defines the nature of the function I now embrace.
   From the earliest days of Church life, the role of a bishop was one of wide-ranging authority over unspecified numbers of church congregations. The office could have been as far ranging as a national or territorial bishopric, or confined to a city and its immediate surroundings. Whatever its scope, a bishop was responsible to promote the well-being and stability of those who were a within his oversight.
   The earliest bishops were drawn from the ranks of the growing body of apostles and their spiritual sons who crossed the face of the known world spreading the Gospel and expanding the Church. Today, the role of bishop looks much different from that, though the basic function has not changed a great deal. In my particular case, I have the opportunity to provide encouragement, insight, and assistance to other bishops and overseers across the length an breadth of this nation.
   Since my formative years were within a Baptist denomination, the idea of being a bishop is a bit alien to many of my friends and colleagues. Baptists are generally unfamiliar with this terminology. except as it is applied to other denominations. Still, they have men who, to some degree, fulfill the role by the manner in which they function.

   Being installed as a Bishop within my network expands my ability to influence other leaders in a positive, Godly way. Furthermore, it challenges me to use my gifts, education, experience, and influence more effectively. I receive this appointment as an honor, but I also embrace the elevated level of responsibility it brings toward those who will be touched by my life and message.

   To the leaders of ACTS, I extend a commitment to assist you in achieving your God-given assignments and vision. To serve you is to serve Christ, and I sincerely desire to do that.

   Serving the King and the King's servants,
                                   Dr. Philip Byler
                                               Bishop at Large - USA

































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   Across the Christian world we use a wide variety of titles to identify different leaders. From denomination to denomination, and from group to group, these titles mean very different things to different people. As a result, when someone is consecrated, commissioned, charged, or ordained into a position with a title, the real meaning of that title lies within the boundaries of its purpose. So, when the title of Bishop-At -Large was bestowed on me last Tuesday, it carried some very distinct implications connected to its purpose.
    My function is focused within the ACTS Network (Apostolic Council of Transformational Servant-Leaders.) This is an internationally operational network of Christian leaders which is not affiliated with an oganized denomination. However, that does not minimize the work and purpose fulfill. As a network, we ar committed to the development and expansion of biblical Christianity in an apostolic framework. This means we are committed to a straightforward, unadorned approach to church polity, governance, and ornder.
     The early church knew very little of the wide variety of church prespectives which today are so much a part of the Christian genre. Yet, most of the leadership roles have their origins and identities rooted in the words of the New Testament. Such is the office of Bishop, and such is the nature of the function I now embrace.
     Within the earliest days of Church life, the role of a bishop was one of wide ranging authority over an unspecified number of church congregations. This could have been as far ranging as a national or territorial bishopric, or as confined as a city and its immediate surroundings.Whatever it was, a bishop was responsible to promote the well-being and stability of those who were a part of his oversight.
     The earliest bishops were drawn from the ranks of the growing body of apostles and their spiritual sons who crossed the face of the known world spreading the Gospel and changing the world. Today, the role of bishop looks much different, although the basic function has not changed a great deal. In my particular case, I have the opportunity to provide encouragement and insight to other bishops and overseers across the length an breadth of this nation.

































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