Baptist Women as Deacons

The Debate Over Whether Baptist Churches Should Ordain Female Deacons

Jun 23, 2009

Women deacons in churches? Many Baptist churches ordain women as deacons, while others only ordain men as deacons. What does the Bible say about women as deacons?

Baptists have long wrestled over the role of women, with debates concerning women deacons and female pastors being among the most contentious. This article will explore the subject of female deacons in the Baptist Church.

Women Deacons in Baptist Church History

While Baptists trace their theological beliefs to the time of Christ and his apostles, congregations formally called "Baptist" began to appear in the 1600s, with the earliest Baptist creed (an official statement of faith) being penned in 1611. Written by John Smythe, that creed (officially titled Propositions and Conclusions concerning True Christian Religion, containing a Confession of Faith of certain English people, living at Amsterdam) is considered the first Baptist Confession of Faith.

Interestingly, Propositions and Conclusions provides for women deacons. When addressing the issue of church officers, Smythe's document reads: "That Christ hath set in His outward church two sorts of ministers: viz., some who are called pastors, teachers or elders, who administer in the word and sacraments, and others who are called deacons, men and women: whose ministry is, to serve tables and wash the saints' feet. (Acts vi. 2-4; Phil. i. I; I Tim. iii. 2, 3, 8, II, and chapt. v)."

Writing for the Baptist History & Heritage Society (BH&HS), Charles DeWeese notes that, while early Baptist pioneers like Smythe and Thomas Helwys allowed for women deacons, a more conservative trend soon took hold in the denomination and women deacons gave way to the new office of "deaconness."

DeWeese explains: "For about 300 years, deaconesses prevailed in Baptist church life....Two key factors, among others, led to the demise of women deacons in the 1600s and converted them into deaconesses: general cultural resistance to women as leaders in the church and the influence of John Calvin, Protestant Reformer of the 1500s."

The Resurgence of Baptist Women in Ministry

In the 19th and 20th centuries, women began a comeback of sorts. These gains mirrored societal changes, and were also inspired by noteworthy figures, such as famed missionary Lottie Moon, who called Baptist women to action in supporting foreign missions. That wave helped form, in 1888, the Women's Missionary Union (WMU).

Throughout the 20th century, the role and influence of women expanded in Baptist churches, with many taking a more active role in denominational affairs. And many Baptist churches began ordaining female deacons.

The Debate Over Women's Roles in Baptist Churches

The debate over women serving as deacons has tended to become a lightning rod in the "Culture Wars" going on between "liberal" and "conservative" groups within Baptist circles. The more "liberal" Baptist denominations and congregations favor women deacons (as well as pastors), while conservative Baptists tend to ordain only men to those positions.

The largest (and most conservative) Baptist denomination in the United States is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). In the 1960s and 70s, the SBC drifted toward the "left," allowing women pastors and deacons. However, in the 1980s and 90s, conservatives fought back and took a majority in the SBC.

The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message (the official statement of faith for the Southern Baptist Convention) explicitly limits the office of pastor to men. While it is silent on the matter of deacons, its tone is definitely conservative on the role of women, in both the church and home.

According to Baptist Women for Equality, the Southern Baptist Convention "went wrong" on the issue of women deacons (and pastors) because "[t]hey refuse to move into the future," preferring instead to "cling to the past, citing scripture to keep women in submission to old-fashioned ideas and an old fashioned standard of living."

The Future of Women in Baptist Ministry

The debate over whether women should be ordained as deacons will likely continue in Baptist circles for quite some time. Those supporting women as deacons point to Baptist pioneers, such as Smythe and Helwys, who apparently had no problem with the concept. They also cite the importance of women and changing cultural norms.

While some of those opposed to women as deacons may be acting simply on tradition (or some would say "sexism"), the majority of conservative Baptists oppose women deacons, based on their reading of Paul's instructions to Timothy (I Timothy 3:8-13). They cite the traditional English translation of I Timothy 3, which appears to limit the office of deacon to men. And they argue the Bible must be the church's authority, and not "the changing values of society."