Biblically, can women be deacons?

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I am struggling with this. It appears the more liberal churches allow for women to serve as deacons. Previously Ive rejected churches that allow it but Im getting a bit desperate in my search for a church.....your thought would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[glfredrick]

Not a liberal issue. There are women deacons mentioned in the Bible.

BUT, that also presupposes that the deacons are actually serving and not leading, which is a failed assumption in most congregations. Deacons have exceeded their biblical role in many a church, and so women dare not be deacons because they end up in positions of leadership.

Can of worms properly opened... :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Not a liberal issue. There are women deacons mentioned in the Bible.

BUT, that also presupposes that the deacons are actually serving and not leading, which is a failed assumption in most congregations. Deacons have exceeded their biblical role in many a church, and so women dare not be deacons because they end up in positions of leadership.

Can of worms properly opened... :smilewinkgrin:

I get it....but thats what Im dealing with on the landscape. Just shoot me.

 

[Jerome]

GLF is right that if the saints have allowed some individual or group of individuals to usurp biblical congregationalism via some authoritarian contrivance—be it the monarchical pastor or these oligarchical elders or deacons schemes—that church has much deeper problems than what chromosomes the autocrat(s) happen(s) to have.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Phoebe was a deacon ... of course in English the word would be deaconess to make it female.

Paul uses a Greek word that over 20 times is translated as Deacon. Some translations change it in the case of Phoebe to servant. Of course that does not really change anything as the office of Deacon was to be a servant in the church. So all-in-all it is the same meaning.

GLF is correct, it is not a liberal issue.

The Baptist church I am a member of does not have any deacons. The reason being is that when the church was organizing the question was asked, "Has anyone been in a Baptist Church where deacons did much beside cause problems. No one had. So it was decided there would be no deacon board. We have ministry groups and all members and serious attendees are expected to serve on a ministry board.

 

[Jerome]

http://sojournchurch.com/ministries/leader-and-member-development/deacons/

Deacons within Sojourn are servant leaders recognized for their service, their leadership, and their character.

Not quite sure how this fits with GLF's a-woman-mustn't-be-a-leader pronouncement.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

http://sojournchurch.com/ministries/leader-and-member-development/deacons/


Not quite sure how this fits with GLF's a-woman-mustn't-be-a-leader pronouncement.

Oh, but they can be leaders -- in the kitchen.

 

[mont974x4]

http://sojournchurch.com/ministries/leader-and-member-development/deacons/


Not quite sure how this fits with GLF's a-woman-mustn't-be-a-leader pronouncement.

It does not matter, really. That statement only impacts the Sojourn churches.


Since Baptist churches are autonomous we don't rely on the edicts of any denominational organization on these things.



GLF is right on. Women can be deacons. Deacons, in many cases, have come to have to much power but that isn't really the fault of the ladies. It is a minefield of an issue so care must be taken.

 

[glfredrick]

http://sojournchurch.com/ministries/leader-and-member-development/deacons/


Not quite sure how this fits with GLF's a-woman-mustn't-be-a-leader pronouncement.

Interesting that you look up my ex-church for your example. Especially in that Sojourn generally follows the Scriptures more closely than any other Baptist church I've run across in my many years of service.

But, of course, because the BIBLE allows for female deacons, so does Sojourn. Noted is that the "leader" aspect is qualified -- not JUST leaders per se, but rather "leaders in their area of ministry -- a position that women can certainly fulfill without transgressing any biblical mandate to the contrary.

It should also be noted that Sojourn is a congregational SBC church that also has elders who do the pastoral leading, so deacons have no requirements in that area of responsibility.

 

[mandym]

Ti 3:12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.


If Pheobe was a church Deacon then why the command here for Deacons. This would be a clear contradiction. Even if you claim the command above is a cultural issue and not an intent of scripture.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

Ti 3:12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.


If Pheobe was a church Deacon then why the command here for Deacons. This would be a clear contradiction. Even if you claim the command above is a cultural issue and not an intent of scripture.

And what about Paul telling women to shut up in the church -- and yet there were women prophets. Doesn't quite jive, does it?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

GLF is right on. Women can be deacons. Deacons, in many cases, have come to have to much power but that isn't really the fault of the ladies. It is a minefield of an issue so care must be taken.

I dont know what you mean by minefield so I wont presume to even take a shot at it.... my experience has been RC & then Presbyterians with Elders....all male.

I really dont know what a deacon does....but someone has to take out the trash.

 

[mandym]

And what about Paul telling women to shut up in the church -- and yet there were women prophets. Doesn't quite jive, does it?

Yes it does

 

[Michael Wrenn]

Yes it does

Wow, what a well-thought-out response. You have convinced me! :laugh:

 

[annsni]

Define the role in the church and then I can answer the question.

 

[mont974x4]

I dont know what you mean by minefield so I wont presume to even take a shot at it.... my experience has been RC & then Presbyterians with Elders....all male.

I really dont know what a deacon does....but someone has to take out the trash.

What I meant by minefield is that it is an emotionally charged issue. Most of the time the discussion of women as deacons you will get passionate people on both sides of the issue.

 

[jaigner]

Biblically women can do anything men can do.

 

[mont974x4]

yeah, not so much.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

Biblically women can do anything men can do.

But by nature and talent, they are specifically created to cook and serve it to the male members, and wash the dishes afterward.

 

[convicted1]

I am struggling with this. It appears the more liberal churches allow for women to serve as deacons. Previously Ive rejected churches that allow it but Im getting a bit desperate in my search for a church.....your thought would be appreciated. Thank you.

I don't have one problem with a woman being a deacon, and I would set in any presbytery they arrainged to examine her........provided she meets the qualifications stated in Titus chapter 1, and 1 Timothy chapter 3 :smilewinkgrin: