No one seems to know just how the single pastor, assisted by the elders and deacons, became the widespread pattern within the churches, but we know it did. Several factors probably influenced the trend. Apparently one of the presbyters emerged to correspond with other churches, to handle the funds for the poor, to preach the true faith in the conflicts with heretical teachers, and to administer the Lord’s Supper (or Eucharist). It took some years before Ignatius’ threefold ministry was adopted everywhere. We know, for example, that Alexandria had no single bishop until about A.D. 180.
