With Overture 16, Tennessee Valley Presbytery has asked the PCA’s 38th General Assembly to affirm that “unordained deaconesses may serve the church to the glory of God.”

The latest overture stands in opposition to Overtures 2, 9, and 13, which seek to amend the Book of Church Order 9-7 by adding the following language: “… assistants to the deacons shall not be referred to as deacons or deaconesses, nor are they to be elected by the congregation nor formally commissioned, ordained, or installed as though they were office bearers in the church.”

Overture 16 notes “a history of disagreement within our Reformed and Presbyterian circles concerning the exegesis of Romans 16:1.” It also asserts differences regarding 1 Timothy 3:11 and the translation of “woman” or “wife” and the subsequent implications.

In support of its position the Overture cites the longstanding practice of the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod (RPCES), prior to that denomination’s joining the PCA. It further states that in “most of our congregations that have held to this practice there has been no dissension concerning the ordination of women … .”

With reference to 1 Timothy 5:9-10, the Tennessee Valley overture claims that there is “enough biblical evidence to support the theory … that women did serve the early church in the role of deaconess … .” To disallow what Scripture “might” allow, the Overture says, would “put the rules of men above Scripture.” On that basis, the Overture requests the Assembly to affirm that “deaconesses may serve the church to the glory of God.”

To view this and other overtures, please visit the 38th General Assembly website.