Does the Didache teach that leaders are chosen by the congregation?

[Shaolen]

A part of the Didache states

“Appoint bishops for yourselves, as well as deacons, worthy of the Lord, of meek disposition, unattached to money, truthful and proven; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers.”

Some protestants use this to say that the modern protestant way of running leadership in the church (from the bottom up) is the correct way. How do we counter this?

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

I believe decons need the support of their parish to begin training, so we do “appoint” them.

Vatican II actually removed the power that secular leaders had to make priest into Bishops. This is now the Pope’s responsibility alone.

I think this ‘yourselves’ is a case of the royal “we” where it recognizes that the church is responsible for this task. AKA Jesus isn’t going to come down from heaven everytime a new Bishop is needed.

 

[Wesrock]

There have been different ways of appointing Bishops throughout history. Especially in the primitive Church, it would have been difficult to have everything go through Rome or even a “metropolitan” Church, given the persecution, secrecy, lack of infrastructure, etc . . . It wasn’t just a democratic vote, though. There would still be the sacrament, but things were often handled locally unless there was a dispute.