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HISTORY The earliest organization of the 1:5,7 and 1 Peter 5:1f indicate, and the terms were interchangeable. The earliest post-apostolic writings, the writings of St. Ignatius Of Antioch . The bishop was understood mainly as the president of the council of presbyters, and so the bishop came to be distinguished both in honor and in prerogative from the presbyters, who were seen as deriving their authority by means of delegation from the bishop. Each church had its own bishop and his presence was necessary to consecrate any gathering of the church. Eventually, as the Church grew, individual congregations no longer were served directly by a bishop. The bishop in a large city would appoint a presbyter to pastor the flock in each congregation, acting as his delegate. In Presbyterian churches, the office of Bishop was abolished in the 16th - 17th centuries, the heads of local congregations using the name ''minister''. In this arrangement, the ministers' leadership is shared with presbyters (also called '' Elders '', usually elected by the local congregations), who help them shepherd the church while keeping their secular professions. In these traditions, the term ''presbyter'' is generally restricted to the Presbyterian churches, while other Reformed Churches tend to use the term ''elder''. MODERN USAGE The Roman Catholic Church , the Orthodox Church , the Anglican / Episcopal Communion and other groups often refer to presbyters in English as ''priests'' (''priest'' is etymologically derived from the Greek ''presbyteros'' via the Latin ''presbyter''). This usage is seen by some Protestant Christians as stripping the Laity of its Rightful Priestly Status , while those who use the term defend its usage by saying that, while they do believe in the ''priesthood'' of all believers, they do not believe in the ''eldership'' of all believers. This is generally true of United Methodists , who ordain elders as Clergy ( Pastors ) while affirming the priesthood of all believers. The term ''father'' for presbyters is generally restricted to Catholic and Orthodox usage, though many Anglican s and even some Lutheran s will use the term, as well. It is not generally thought of as a title, however, but simply as an affectionate term of address for the presbyter. See also Presbyterianism , Methodism , Holy Orders SOURCES
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