What About Women as Deacons?

In September, I finished up a series about the doctrine of the church. In my last message, I talked about deacons in the church and even tackled the question on whether or not the church should have deaconesses or woman serving in this leadership role.

In doing so, I looked at both sides of the issue and came up to what I, as a fallible and finite person believes the Scriptures teach in this area. However, I also stated from the start that this is a gray area in Scripture and there are many scholars whom I hold in high esteem, that come down on both sides of this issue. Considering that, I don’t believe it’s prudent to be known as a church that’s calling out other churches for deciding to use women as deaconesses. Furthermore, it has been my experience, that the churches that are so polemic about it, are not themselves using deacons as taught in Scripture. On the other hand, as a church, think it's best to be known for a body of believers that worship and glorify God well. To be known as a church that has a passion for Christ by making disciples of all nations. It's about what really is important and of utmost priority. Especially when you consider that there are 6,426 unreached people groups and another 3,724 unreached/unengaged people groups.

However, it is believed that in making those statements above that I, in a sense, left the door open for women to question and ultimately pursue these positions. In response, I would say that it's not my statements that should be of great concern. The greater alarm and questions are. Where are all the men who meet the qualifications of a deacon? Where are all the men who are willing to be leading servants of the church? Where are all the men who are striving for and have a desire for being leaders in our churches?

By the way, for the record, my theological position is a Complementarian. Complementarianism in contrast to an Egalitarianism, holds the view according to Grudem "that men and women are equal in value before God but that some governing and teaching roles in the church are reserved for men." Thus, men and women are in their essential nature equal, but in many instances, functionally, take subordinate roles. The Trinity is an example of this, where the God head is equal, yet function in different roles. These differences complete or “complement” each other. Because of these differences, there will be some things that women are predisposed to do more than men. Additionally, there will be some things that men are predisposed to do more than women. Therefore, there are ideal roles for both men and women that should be celebrated, exemplified, typified, and promoted in the church, family, and society. To deny these differences is to deny God's design and purpose in His creation.

In addition, I stated in my message that titles are not as important as doing the ministry of the church. In other words, although I don't believe that everyone is called to be an Elder/Pastor, the Scripture clearly states that we are all to be ministers of the Word. Although there are certain qualifications that a pastor/elder must meet, ALL are called in other places in Scripture to have the same character qualities of a pastor.

The same is true for the office of a deacon. Again, although all are not called by the church to be a deacon, we are ALL called to be servants of the church. The same is true in regard to the qualifications of a deacon. Although the Bible states the qualifications of a deacon, we are ALL, in other parts of the Bible required to meet those same character qualities.

In conclusion, I hope this helps clear up any ambiguity about my position on leadership roles of the church. It's also important to know that we are not going to avoid or skip over the more difficult doctrines, questions, and verses that Scripture may raise. We are to men and women who wrestle with God and labor in His Word. I also encourage all of us to be good stewards of the Word and search the Scriptures for themselves, but additionally to receive the word with all readiness (Acts 17:11). In other words, I'm a Complementarian because as I have searched and studied the Scriptures that is what I believe the Word teaches. Although I looked at several different resources in my studies, my conclusion was that based on the text and context of what I studied that the women are not to serve in this leadership role. I would finally submit to you that I don't have all the answers and there are still yet many "holes" in my theology. The only problem with this is I don't know where those holes are yet.

May we all heed what Paul told the young Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). And...

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim 5:17.


Bibliography:

Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology : An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 1994), 1238.

Grudem, Wayne A. Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood. Foundations for the family series. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2002.

Geisler, Norman L. Systematic Theology, Volume Four: Church, Last Things. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2005.