02-14-2008, 11:25 PM
|
 | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rockville, CT
Posts: 2,556
Thanks: 422
Thanked 582 Times in 459 Posts
| |
Quote:
Originally Posted by fredtgreco  Quote:
Originally Posted by travis <devil's advocate>
Deacons are supposed to be servants of mercy correct? If so, how could a man truly empathize with a woman in the congregation that needs understanding in areas that could only be understood by another woman? What about women 'deconesses' that are only for women in the church? | Travis,
This is a misunderstanding of the nature of deacons. Deacons are not merely "servants of mercy." All Christians are that. Deacons are called, ordained and empowered to lead the ministry of mercy in a church. Deacons, by the very fact of the office, exercise authority. It is merely in a different sphere from that of elders (who are primarily called to minister in the Word and prayer). Deacons are not "sub-elders" or "junior elders," nor are they "just like everyone else." They are called to lead the church in its mission of mercy.
How that can be done without violating the Scriptural commands against women exercising authority ( cf. 1 Timothy 2) is beyond me. | Book of Church Order
7-2 "The ordinary and perpetual classes of office in the Church are elders and deacons....In accord with Scripture, these offices are open to men only."
__________________ Sterling Harmon
Coventry, CT
PCA
Deacon
________________
"Whatever is laudable in our works proceeds from the grace of God."
--  John Calvin, Institutes III:xv.3.
"Our Lord God must be a good man, to be fond of worthless fellows. I cannot like them, and yet I, myself, am one."
--  Martin Luther, Table Talk |