Women’s roles in the church have been a long debated topic amongst both sexes. It is wondered if it is biblically appropriate that women maintain specific roles that have been held by men since the New Testament church rose up. This essay will address what the New Testament definitions of an “elder” and “deacon” are and the biblical requirements for being permitted the office title, can women hold those positions and supporting Scripture, my personal interpretation and counter arguments, and are women limited in the church as well as outside of it. We will also discuss if women can make contributions to theology, leadership and management in their local churches. According to Towns’ Theology for Today, an “elder” in the New Testament church is someone who has been designated into the highest pastoral position that requires spiritual maturity and literally means “aged man”, while a “deacon” is an office in the church and literally means “servant.” The requirements of becoming an elder is that they must rule over their own house well, referencing 1Tim 3:4-5 which uses the word overseer, and that they should rule or lead the church by feeding them the Word as seen in Kepha Aleph (1 Peter) 5:1-2. The office title of Deacon has different requirements as referenced in Theology for Today mentioning Ma’asei (Acts) 6:1-6 which states they must be of good report, full of the Spirit, full of wisdom, and full of faith. They must also be blameless, husband of one wife, grave, not given to wine or greedy for money, a good ruler of his house, of proven ability as a servant, and not double-tongued or two-faced. My understanding is that women are not permitted to be elders or deacons. In other words, they may not be leaders of men. Based on Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Cor.) 14:34-35 that speaks of women being silent in the assemblies and if they wish to learn they should ask their husbands at home. Timotiyos Aleph (1 Tim.) 2:11-15 also supports Qor. Aleph 14 that further addresses women learning in silence and not teaching or having authority over any man. Women are to be ruled by man as has been the command since the creation of Adam and Hawwah in Bereshith (Genesis) 3:16. Galatiyim 3:28, “There is not Yehudi (Jew) nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua.” This passage, in context with its surrounding verses and chapters emphasizes our spiritual equality that we all may achieve when we are within Yeshua. This does not mean that we lose our chain of authority where Elohim is the head of Yeshua, Yeshua is the head of man, and man is the head of the woman. Some use the argument that Phoebe of Romiyim (Romans) 16:1 held a position in office as a deacon, however I do not feel this is the case. The Greek word used is “DIAKONOS” which is birthed from the word “DIAKO” which has multiple definitions or meanings that range from “to run on errands,” to “servant,” to “deacon.” I feel this word given to her in respect is inclusive of being, a servant. Supporting that women are not intended to be deacons, I look back to 1 Timotiyos 3:8-13 and see that when describing the requirements of the likewise “DIAKONOS” or “attendant,” it specifically starts in verse 12, “Let attendants be the husbands of only one wife, ruling children and their own houses well.” This rings clear to me the requirement of being male in order to hold the position of a deacon, which Phoebe would not fall under. Women should respect the headship of men, regardless of if they are within the church body or not. In respect to our Elohim, those not of Him will see His authority through us in time. I view it as I do the passages of an unequally yoked marriage in Kepha Aleph (1 Peter) 3:1-3. If women do not allow themselves to be subject to the G-d head through men, we become a negative light in the eyes of those believers and non-believers who are observing us, looking for His Truth. Women are not without their many opportunities and abilities to contribute to their local church and beyond. They may study theologies and present findings or lessons to their husbands and other women. Women can be delegated management and leadership tasks in which we organize church events and teach the other women and the children whom they may have authority over in their church. However, it should never be forgotten the headship He has placed over women, so we do not forget what we are taught by Scripture that man is our head.

Word count: # 800

Bibliography (must be according to your chosen writing style)
Walter, A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001, 2nd ed.
Towns, Elmer L. Theology for Today, Mason, OH: Cengage Learning, 2008.