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The basic organization of the first-century Jewish synagogue called for a "ruler" or "chief ruler" to be the presiding officer for the group. The office was that of an "overseer." This overseer served as the chief executive officer of the local synagogue. A second layer of officiality, who functioned as a general council or board, consisted of "elders," or rulers (Mark 5:22; Acts 13:15). All of these officers were men. The organization of the early Judeo-Christian synagogue arose from this practice. In early Christianity men charged with ministerial, teaching, and administrative responsibility by the laying on of hands for the office of ministry as overseers. The typical Judeo-Christian synagogue, had a bishop, or literally an "overseer," in authority over the local congregation. This overseer, who was the local pastor of the congregation, had support from a second layer of officials of ordained rank. These were the elders who were also "rulers." The bishop and the elders, at times referred to as presbyters, presby�teros, were in charge of the affairs of a local church congregation (see church). The leading elder was the presiding overseer or bishop. Collectively the bishop and the elders were known as �p�skopos, "overseers" (Philippians 1:1) with responsibility "to shepherd the church of God" (Acts 20:28). This ministry was exclusively one consisting of men (I Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9).
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