Titus was presumed to be the Bishop of Crete. He was given a bishop-like office by Paul,
Titus 1:5. Timothy the same for Ephesus,
1 Timothy 1:3.
A bishopprick is an office that is similar our modern day description of pastor. A pastorate is a also an office.
Ephesians 4:11 mentions pastors as one-fifth of the five-fold ministry (or 4-fold, however you view it).
Technically, an assistant pastor and many other leaders within the church are pastors. The senior pastor is actually a bishop. A presbyter or superintendent would also fill the role of bishop, whether over a city (Ephesus) or a region/island (Crete). Simply meaning that a bishop is a leader of pastors.
In my experience, some bishops are simply elected political leaders. A few will show the signs of an apostle (notice the lower case "a"), one of which is the ability to train, develop, and lead other ministers into callings and commissions of their own (based on Paul's ministerial example; i.e., everywhere he went (
Acts 13+) aspiring ministry was drawn to him and found guidance from him).
But that is all off the subject. I have also noticed a change in the Church in the last 20 (appx.) years. I think it has to do with pastors who fear men rather than God. I think it also has to do with organizations (notice the plural) that harped on one small category of holiness for far too long, ignoring the need for cleansing of the spirit (human spirit), as well as the outward lifestyle. And thus, allowing those human spirits, clothed in holy attire, to run rampant withing their churches.
At any rate, as we near the coming of the Lord, we will see much more of this move away from actual Biblical teaching towards a much-favored universalism. This is inevitable and prophecied by Jesus and other men of God in Scripture. We shouldn't fear this, or allow it to cause bitterness. These people and their pastors still know the Word hasn't changed. They are just acting out of one of several factors.
One of these factors, and the main cause of most universalist-type church movements throughout history, is ignorance to the Word. The Bible is a self-interpreting book. Neither needing "private interpretation" nor apology for its teachings. If you don't really know the Word, you'll be likely to stumble over it.
Another factor, I think, is bitterness towards the ministry. I know my organization, has created many enemies with its past policies and politics. Many ministers have left our ranks because of political misunderstandings and now fail to preach the whole truth of the Word (don't misunderstand me as saying that all who leave an organization are not preaching the Word, I fellowship with a large variety of Apostolics). So, in essence, their failure to now teach the fullness of the truth is out of a seeming desire to get back at who hurt them.
In the midst of this move away from righteousness teaching, a remnant will begin to shine brighter and increasingly inspire persecution from the mainstream accepted universalist movement. A universalist movement which neither teaches holiness as prescribed and commanded by God's Word, nor the need for teachings on man's sinful nature (for proof of this, just listen to any, and I mean any, of JO's sermons at Lakewood.cc; he and his ministry are a NEW mainstream for evangelicals).
People who stand on principle are destined to be in the minority. That is not a mark of self-righteousness, however. And we must do all we can to keep reaching our world with the full truth of the Word.
- when my pastor introduces himself to someone he uses his first and last name - sometimes just his first. People get too carried away with titles.
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