For those who like to follow the issues being addressed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, one of this year's overtures proposes a study committee be formed to consider whether or not the Book of Church Order speaks to the ordination of women as deacons, either forbidding or permitting it. You can read a brief article about it on the PCA's online news site, byFaith Magazine. This will likely be more interesting in June 2009 (assuming this overture is approved) when the committee presents it's findings. Earlier in the Spring of 2009 they will likely publish their report so that the delegates will have time to consider it before voting on it.For the language of the overture, please read here. This is a list of all overtures to this year's GA (received so far). You want Overture 9. The sections in the BCO that are pertinent are referenced in the overture. You can find an online version of the BCO here.
Of note is the language in the overture not only asking for clarification of the BCO, but requesting that this issue be studied biblically. This would seem to be the result of a lesson learned from last year's report re: Federal Vision. Also, don't miss the subtle nature of two separate questions here. First, what does Scripture teach on this subject? Second, if the position is sustained that women may not be ordained, can men be licensed and ordained who take an exception to this? There are also a handful of other equally interesting questions. This will be an interesting discussion. Let's pray that the next two years find our leadership thinking through this biblically, with respect and charity for one another, keeping in mind what is best for the Church and brings glory to God.
6 comments:
I was reading that the ARP ordains women deacons, without sliding down that slippery slope towards women elders and pastors. An interesting subject. I wonder if the PCA would loose some of the harder fundy Presbyterians if they did. I read about a few churches that left over FV and are now "independent Presbyterians." Don't know how that oxy-moron works...like a catholic church independent of a bishop or an episcopalian church function without an open bar. But I'll be interested to see their report.
If your church is led by presbyters, wouldn't you call that presbyterian? It wouldn't be baptist (although "elder-led" baptist churches are becoming more popular). It wouldn't be episcopalian, either. So as far as government goes, it would still fall within the presby stream. But I think most of those churches are only independent until they find a group with which they might associate. After all, if you are FV and the PCA won't have you, which denomination do you join right now? You aren't likely to go with a less conservative group, and the more conservative the group, the less likely they are to accept you (if you're FV). Seems like they will have to remain independent or seek each other out to form their own denom.
As for women, I believe the EPC allows each session to determine whether or not it will allow women deacons as well. But I don't think they allow women elders. I'd have to check to be sure.
I think the EPC allows women ordination in all things, which is why break-offs from the PCUSA find it easier to associate with the EPC than the PCA, because associating with the PCA would mean kicking out their women elders - something the women elders may not be up to voting for...
I think a lot of FV churches have joined the CREC. But the CREC allows their churches to use any Reformed confession they want: Belgic, Westminster or even the London Baptist Confession. That's too loose in my book.
http://www.crechurches.org/
I stand corrected on the EPC. They do indeed allow their churches to ordain women to either office.
As for the CREC and the London Baptist Confession, I'm with you.
I've put a link to your blog on my webpage compiling all the PCA Deaconess info. Thanks for your contribution!
http://www.waysidechurch.org/femdeacs/blogs.htm
Great! Thanks!
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