PCA 38th General Assembly (2010): Overture From Tennessee Valley Presbytery

The Tennessee Valley Presbytery has overtured the PCA General Assembly to 'affirm unordained deaconesses' (Overture 16). 

The overture states

Whereas the Scripture calls us to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3); and

Whereas the Scripture teaches us not to pass Judgment on disputable matters (Romans 14:1), and to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:19); and

Whereas there has been a history of disagreement within our Reformed and Presbyterian circles concerning the exegesis of Romans 16:1 In regard to the word "servant" or "Deacon" in describing a woman, namely Phoebe; and

Whereas that disagreement also extends to the exegesis of I Timothy 3:11 as to whether the translation should be woman or wife, and to the understanding of the symmetry of that passage without describing the qualifications of wives of Elders; and

Whereas there is enough Biblical evidence to support the theory, if not the idea, that widows on the roll (I Timothy 5:9710) or other godly women; and

Whereas there are Presbyters who in good and sincere conscience believe there is a Biblical basis for the role of Deaconess; and

Whereas the Scripture is to be our only rule of faith and practice; and

Whereas to disallow what the Scripture does indeed and at least "might" appear to do would put the rules of men above Scripture; and

Whereas the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES) did allow congregations to appoint women as "Deaconesses" and this practice was recognized upon the Joining and Receiving (J&R) of that denomination Into the PCA; and

Whereas the practice of having women serve in the role of non-ordained Deaconess has been continued in some of our congregations for 28 years since the J&R; and

Whereas the practice is now much longer than the tradition of the PCA was before J&R (only nine years); and

Whereas In most of our congregations that have held to this practice there has been no dissension concerning the ordination of women, nor has it become a movement to in any way undermine the authority of Scripture;

Whereas this ministry has been conducted in all humbleness and love, with our congregations submitting to the brethren within the General Assembly in their concern that women not be ordained to the office of Deacon; and

Whereas this ministry has brought great comfort and blessing to the churches and to the poor.

Therefore, Tennessee Valley Presbytery requests that the 38th General Assembly adopt this statement: "The 38th General Assembly affirms that unordained deaconesses may serve the church, to the glory of God."

What does this even mean?  It means very little.  For one, it is not like the PCA General Assembly to adopt 'statements.'  The thought is, "Let's settle this dispute once and for all, and let us be rid of it pressing on for the spread of the Gospel."  I desire to settle this dispute so we can move on as well, but there are problems with this. The basic gist of the overture is: here is our practice for the past 28 years therefore this is what we have, let us continue.  It seems like those coming out of the RPCES, others who have been raised up in those churches, or those who are of the pro-deaconess camp; they have forgotten that when they entered the denomination they took on the PCA's government.  Yet, citing BCO 9-7 (at least now), they have continued a practice contrary to the PCA's government.  Now that 28 years have passed with nothing done by our courts.  Let's affirm our (RPCES) practice.  Well, first, if that is what you want to do, just have the BCO changed (it is already being tried this year).  

This overture desires to affirm that unordained deaconesses may serve the church, but no where in our BCO defines what a deaconess is.  Is she to help out the deacons like BCO 9-7 states or does she serve on the 'diaconate' or 'board of deacons'?  The practice of some PCA churches is for them to serve on the diaconate contrary to our government.  But if they are not ordained, why are they on the diaconate?  Some churches, because they do not ordain the women as deacons, do not ordain any men either.  That's the biggest problem here.  That is a lack of following a basic foundational doctrine: the laying on of hands or 'ordination' (Heb. 6:1-2).  

I just don't understand why all churches in the PCA cannot follow exactly what BCO 9-7 says, "It is often expedient that the Session of a church should select and appoint godly men and women of the congregation to assist the deacons in caring for the sick, the widows, the orphans, the prisoners, and others who may be in any distress or need."  If the elders of a church believe a women should serve in a special way the local congregation, then make them assistants to the deacons.  Don't put them on the diaconate.  That is for ordained men only (Acts 6).  Don't have the congregation nominate/elect them (as many PCA churches do contrary to the BCO).  No, let us be rid of using our practice to justify how we ought to interpret the BCO or how we ought to support this overture.  This overture is misguided, wrong, and should be voted down.  Please pray for our denomination and our General Assembly this year.