Apparently not officially. Not now, anyway.
Tim Bayly wrote on Thursday sometime:
Just now, I received a report on what is likely the most significant decision facing this year’s General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. Several overtures to the asembly–most notably, one from Philadelphia Presbytery sponsored by Tenth Presbyterian Church–asked the assembly to appoint an ad interim study committee on women deacons. Others opposed such a study committee, seeing it as a Trojan Horse for northern city churches moving the denomination in an egalitarian feminist direction.
and further he wrote:
David and I are hopeful that those whose church practice is out of conformity with our Book of Church Order will honor their ordination vows and submit themselves and their churches anew, both to the Book of Church Order’s prohibition of women deacons, and now also the will of the assembly in reaffirming that prohibition.
I hope so too. But let’s not breath too easily yet. This issue will be back. See Tim’s post here.
June 13, 2008 at 7:10 am
If a denomination wants to ensure its entry into liberalism and perhaps even apostasy, ordaining women would be a good place to start. It will begin with the office of deacon. After that, ruling and teaching elders are the obvious next step. When that occurs, then anything goes as is evidenced by the PCUSA and the Methodist and their acceptance of homosexuality, both in their clergy and in their membership.
Ever wonder why the WCF does not even mention women officers? The Bible is very clear on that subject. I am thinking that “the husband of one wife” pretty much says it all.
As Christians, we all are called to be “servants.” However, not all are called to be ordained in to the office of deacon. I see the push for women’s ordination as being a part of a bigger agenda. Once again the church is trying to appease the world…. This time it is the “feminists” to which they are pandering.
June 14, 2008 at 12:39 pm
What is wrong with studying this issue in Scripture together?
June 14, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I echo the sentiments toward Fred Greco, the Chairman of the overtures committee and who spoke for the majority. Thank you. For those who seem to desire studying the issue…there are some issues that are settled. The apostle Paul is pretty clear. The BCO and the WCF is clear. When we formed our denomination, we actually did study the matter. It is settled. Now that does not mean that it is settled for everyone. But part of the reason we have a WCF and BCO is because good and godly men hammered out the issues through much study. To open up any and all issues is to be baptist, not presbyterian. I’m sure it will eventually “get studied” or brought up again. But for now it is settled even though the minority may not agree.
Gage Browning
Post Tenebras Lux
June 16, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I was at the General Asembly and sat in on the Overtures Committee one day. I think they spent about 13 hours in their meetngs putting together their report. I was very pleased that the Committee voted against having a study committee, even though the speaker for the minority committee, Bryan Chapell, made a good case for the study. I was expecting a more heated discussion, after observing the discussion on the “New Perspectives on Paul” last year, but everyone was very orderly, gracious, and respectful of their fellow brothers’ viewpoints. The vote was closer that I would have expected, though. Experiencing the General Assembly was both educational and an inspiration.