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Originally Posted by servantofmosthigh  The Bible does have both deacons and deaconesses, but the office of elders is for men-only. I agree with Mark Dever who encourages Baptist churches to not be divisive on the issue, but be wise. If the church has the office of deacons as the leadership, then the office needs to be men-only. If the church has the office of elders as the leadership, then the elders need to be men-only and the diaconate office can be both men and women because the diaconate office is a serving position, not an authoritive one. |
The problem with what you have stated is that the Scriptures affirm both the office of elder and deacon as perpetual offices in the church. This is the position of Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Elders are to rule and teach and deacons are to serve. Deacons are not called to rule or teach and elders are not called to serve. The two offices are distinct in its function. The deaconate is
not a stepping stone to the office of elder as some erroneously teach.