The Ad Interim Committee on Women Serving in the Ministry of the Church released its final report on Thursday, April 20, 2017.

“What we’re trying to do with the report and our work is encourage a gracious and robust complementary practice,” says Committee Chairman Irwyn Ince. “It certainly does exist, but we want to encourage [the PCA] to continue moving in that direction.”

The 44th General Assembly directed the committee to consider three issues:

The biblical basis, theology, history, nature, and authority of ordination.
The biblical nature and function of the office of deacon.
Clarification on the ordination or commissioning of deacons / deaconesses.

Should the findings of the study committee warrant changes to the Book of Church Order, the study committee was also charged with proposing such changes for the Assembly to consider.

Committee member Mary Beth McGreevy hopes the report will help church leaders gain a new appreciation for Scripture’s pattern of complementarianism.

“My hope is that the readers of the committee’s report will gain new appreciation for that pattern,” McGreevy said, “that they will help the women of their churches use their gifts and abilities within the prohibitions of Scripture but not falling short of them; and will help them, through their encouragement and intentional support, live fully in their distinctive roles for the well-being of the church.”

The report is available for viewing and downloading here.