The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - A Biblical Argument for Men Only as Deacons

Scott1 · #47 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJClark

Scott;

Quote:

I think we are getting closer to clarifying the issues here. It seems to me some are confusing the office of Deacon (elected, ordained, with administrative authority over mercy ministry and property stewardship) with "diaconal" (e.g. mercy, servant) ministry. A few may in fact be advocating installing women in the office with its accoutrements, but many are mainly concerned that women be allowed to do "diaconal" (mercy, servant) ministry and that there be no barrier to doing that. That is a very legitimate concern.

Under the oversight of the Deacons, women can do all sorts mercy ministry and be commended as godly servants, prayed for, and highly valued.

Keep in mind also, that men can also do all sorts of mercy ministry under the oversight of the Deacons.

There is an issue here some are not considering, if we highly value the office of Deacon and its ordination and its administrative authority in governing God's church and then advocate having women "deaconesses" who are not elected, ordained and are under the oversight of the Deacons, what do we call the men who do the same?

In the PCA, our Book of Church Order allows the Elders to appoint godly men and women to assist the Deacons.

My own thinking is that it might be wise to allow the Board of Deacons to also appoint godly men and women to assist them in mercy ministry (under their oversight). This might help clarify the administrative authority of the Board of Deacons over mercy ministry in each local church, might even prioritize mercy ministry more by creating this mechanism, and lead to more women in involved in "diaconal" ministry- a goal that I think is biblical.

I think the issue is they want to be "Ordained" to this position.

For a few ordination is the main issue. The large majority are not advocating ordination at this time. For most, the issues are election, whether Deacon is an authoritative office, whether women can perform the same function as the office, and whether they or the congregation can take the similar vows as the office. Also, whether "commissioning" can be used to install officers and whether a church can ordinarily be constituted without Deacons.

Should they be ordained?

No.

I would acknowledge that there is a case for "deaconesses," but it is at best unclear. In addition, the best case is closest to the "servant widow" model of I Timothy 5 which requires a minimum, age 60, widow, good reputation, etc. My understanding of that is that it is an "office", could be paid by the church, could have vows, is under the administrative authority of the Deacons, and is not ordained.