(Tim) A proposed amendment to the Presbyterian Church in America's Book of Church Order adopted by the session of Atlanta's Westminster Presbyterian Church is being presented to Metro Atlanta Presbytery, today. One part of Westminster's argument depends upon an abuse of the statement of the Biblical authority of the office of deacon relative to the office of elder. This equivocation is a cornerstone in the propaganda put out by churches in Redeemer's camp who are trying to get woman officers into the PCA--a denomination, it should be remembered, largely founded to repent of this sin.
Proposed Amendment: WHEREAS, the New Testament office of deacon was established, not by the direct revelation of a divine command, but by apostolic prudence, and not in a governing office but as an office of service, Acts 6:2 – 4 “‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.’”; and...
It's clear from the New Testament that the office of deacon is normative. To say that it was not divinely instituted is misleading.
But, more seriously, the oft-repeated statement today, that the office of deacon is "not a governing office, but one of service," is only helpful when demonstrating the relationship of these two offices, one to the other. It's equivocation when dealing with the relationship of church members to the office of deacon...
Yes, elders have authority over deacons, and the specialization of the two offices can be spoken of as a distinction of authority versus service. But to the congregation, the work and leadership and office-government of deacons will often be one of authority.
Should this widow be helped or does she have a son-in-law in the church whose obligation precedes that of the church? If so, which of the deacons should go and talk with him, exhorting him to fulfill his obligation?
These are the questions and responsibilities the deacons, when properly caring for the body, handle constantly. They are the exercise of authority over a male member of the congregation by an officer of the congregation, and therefore never properly fulfilled by a woman deacon/deaconess.
Thus, with respect to the congregation, we must be done with the implication or explicit statement that male deacons don't exercise authority over the congregation. They always have, and will today (if, in a particular church, the office is vital--not moribund).
