I HAVE BELONGED TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH SINCE NOVEMBER 1952. I HAVE NOT SEEN NOR HEARD OF A CHURCH HAVING DEACONESSES. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT BIBLICAL, ONLY THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD NOR EXPERIENCED A CHURCH WITH DEACONESSES. CAN ANYONE IN THIS GROUP ENLIGHTEN ME ON THE SUBJECT? RECPECTFULLY BRUCE JORDAN LAUS DEO!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2004

Answers

Horace,

This is a touchy subject. If you have a Biblical leadership then there is nothing wrong with deaconesses. What I mean by that is the Evangelist and Elders are the leaders and Deacons are simply servants (ministers) within the congregation with no authority except their particular ministry.

If the Church has a traditional board system of leadership where the deacons and elders make the decisions (which is extremely UNbiblical) then you cannot have women in that position without violating I Timothy 2:12.

If you're interested their is an extraordinarily superb study on the subject of NT Leasdership here: www.crownhillchurch.com/New_Testament_Leader.pdf.

I just happen to know the guy who put it together very well;o)

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2004