Bishop

=== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ===
{{Main|Bishop (Latter Day Saints)}}

In [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], the [[Bishop (Latter Day Saints)|Bishop]] is the leader of a local congregation, called a [[ward (LDS Church)|ward]]. As with most LDS priesthood holders, the bishop is a part-time lay minister and earns a living through other employment. As such, it is his duty to preside, call local leaders, and judge the worthiness of members for certain activities. The bishop does not deliver sermons at every service (generally asking members to do so), but is expected to be a spiritual guide for his congregation. It is therefore believed that he has both the right and ability to receive divine inspiration (through the [[Holy Spirit]]) for the ward under his direction. Because it is a part-time position, all able members are expected to assist in the management of the ward by holding delegated lay positions (for example, women's and youth leaders, teachers) referred to as callings. The bishop is especially responsible for leading the youth,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/6?lang=eng#title_number8| title = General Handbook, 6.1.2}}</ref> in connection with the fact that a bishop is the president of the [[Aaronic priesthood (LDS Church)|Aaronic priesthood]] in his ward (and is thus a form of Mormon [[Kohen]]). Although members are asked to confess serious sins to him, unlike the Catholic Church, he is not the instrument of divine forgiveness, but merely a guide through the repentance process (and a judge in case transgressions warrant excommunication or other official discipline). The bishop is also responsible for the physical welfare of the ward, and thus collects [[Tithe|tithing]] and [[fast offering]]s and distributes financial assistance where needed.

A literal descendant of Aaron has "legal right" to act as a bishop<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/107.76?lang=eng| title = Doctrine and Covenants 107:76}}</ref> after being found worthy and ordained by the [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|First Presidency]].<ref name="Doctrine and Covenants 68:20">{{cite web| url = https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/68.20?lang=eng| title = Doctrine and Covenants 68:20}}</ref> In the absence of a literal descendant of Aaron, a [[high priest (Latter Day Saints)|high priest]] in the [[Melchizedek priesthood]] is called to be a bishop.<ref name="Doctrine and Covenants 68:20"/> Each bishop is selected from resident members of the ward by the [[stake (Latter Day Saints)|stake presidency]] with approval of the First Presidency, and chooses two ''counselors'' to form a ''bishopric''. An priesthood holder called as bishop must be ordained a high priest if he is not already one, unlike the similar function of branch president.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/6?lang=eng#title_number13| title = General Handbook, 6.2}}</ref> In special circumstances (such as a ward consisting entirely of young university students), a bishop may be chosen from outside the ward. Traditionally, bishops are married, though this is not always the case.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1990/10/i-have-a-question/what-callings-are-open-to-single-members-of-the-church?lang=eng| title = Ensign, 1990 October, What callings are open to single members of the Church?}}</ref> A bishop is typically released after about five years and a new bishop is called to the position. Although the former bishop is released from his duties, he continues to hold the Aaronic priesthood office of bishop. Church members frequently refer to a former bishop as "Bishop" as a sign of respect and affection.

Latter-day Saint bishops do not wear any special clothing or insignia the way clergy in many other churches do, but are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly and conservatively per their local culture, especially when performing official duties. Bishops (as well as other members of the priesthood) can trace their line of authority back to [[Joseph Smith]], who, according to church doctrine, was ordained to lead the church in modern times by the ancient apostles Peter, [[James, son of Zebedee|James]], and John, who were ordained to lead the Church by Jesus Christ.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Joseph|title=Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith|year=2007|page=101|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/content/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-8?lang=eng}}</ref>

At the global level, the [[Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)|presiding bishop]] oversees the temporal affairs (buildings, properties, commercial corporations, and so on) of the worldwide church, including the church's massive global humanitarian aid and social welfare programs. The presiding bishop has two counselors; the three together form the presiding bishopric.<ref>{{cite web|last=McMullin|first=Keith B.|title=The Presiding Bishopric|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2005/07/the-presiding-bishopric?lang=eng|work=Ensign|access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> As opposed to ward bishoprics, where the counselors do not hold the office of bishop, all three men in the presiding bishopric hold the office of bishop, and thus the counselors, as with the presiding bishop, are formally referred to as "Bishop".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/topic/presiding-bishopric|title=Learn More About the Church's Presiding Bishopric|work=www.mormonnewsroom.org|access-date=2018-08-19|language=en}}</ref>