Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/13/2006

Question
What does the Bible say about women serving as deacons in any denomination?
What would a Southern Baptist Church say about a woman serving as a deacon?

Answer
Hi Kay,

The word deacon means servant.  We have the Greek verb used in Acts 6 describing the function of a deacon without using the term for the office of a deacon.

Acts 6:1-7


And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Here are the Biblical qualifications for a deacon:

1 Timothy 3:8-16
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.  
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

It would seem from this discription that women were not considered for the position.  Some believe that Romans 16:1 refers to a woman who is a servant, therefore she is a deacon, but that is not what the Bible says specifically.

I believe that if a church has the office of deaconess, and she is a servant helping to meet the needs of members, there is no problem with it.  The problem comes if this deaconess teaches men or preaches to men.  I am not sure what the Southern Baptists teach specifically.

1 Timothy 2:11-13
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this is a help to you.

In Christ
Pastor Don