Just a quick note. Deaconess is not the same as deacon. Deaconesses are special non-ordained servants.
So one can be a complementarian, believe in male-only ordination, be a conservative liturgicalist and still believe in a unique and official role of service for women in the church.
This is an important distinction to keep in mind during these times of truncated debate on the subject.
Agreed here -- the problem is contemporary language. Today, the term "deaconess" implies "ordained office." I would like to change that.
Posted by: RevK | June 16, 2008 at 02:41 AM
If I recall, in the Canons of the first seven Ecumenical Councils, there were two seperate offices: Deacon and Deaconess. The Deacon could be ordained at 25 (presbyter at 30) and Deaconess could be ordained at 40 and had to remain unmarried. FWIW.
Posted by: Ron Jung | June 17, 2008 at 02:50 PM