'The word ‘bishop’ derives from Greek episkopos, meaning, quite literally, over-seer: we perform the role of Good Shepherd ‘watching over’ the flock.' Photo: by Brett Jordan on Unsplash.
Role call: Celia Waterhouse says one name is an oversight
‘We may well intend the Good Shepherd, but are we really listening to the meaning?’
by Celia Waterhouse
1st January 2021
As I reach the end of my second triennium as an overseer I’ve been considering our name for this role. How many Quakers realise that overseers are the bishops of our church? The word ‘bishop’ derives from Greek episkopos, meaning, quite literally, over-seer: we perform the role of Good Shepherd ‘watching over’ the flock. In many churches the bishop carries the ceremonial crook, symbol of pastoral care.
