When it comes to any matter related to the Christian life—which is, in fact, every matter—our first priority is to ask what God desires for his people. This is true not only in our personal lives but also in matters of God’s revealed order for his church.
In some conservative churches, there is renewed debate over whether women may serve in the church under the title “deaconess.” While various progressive denominations have ordained women as elders and deacons for decades, some conservative churches have more recently adopted the practice of “commissioning” deaconesses in a non-ordained capacity.
A growing narrative suggests that Scripture permits women to hold the title deaconess and that withholding this designation prevents some women from fully exercising their God-given gifts—thus signaling a lack of appreciation and respect for their contributions to the church.
Before going any further, it is important to acknowledge that some women genuinely feel unseen or undervalued in their churches—not because they lack titles, but because they lack meaningful relational connection, intentional pastoral care, clear pathways for service, and affirming reminders of their God-given dignity within the church’s biblical structure. Naming this helps us recognize the Christ-centered longing many women have to fully participate in the life of the church—a longing that may at times be mistaken for a self-centered pursuit of recognition or position.
I appreciate that many women who advocate for female deacons or deaconesses are motivated by a sincere desire to uphold women’s dignity and bless the church. Likewise, many women who have served—or currently serve—in such roles do so with a heartfelt desire to honor Christ and care for his people. Yet good intentions, however commendable, must always be tested and governed by God’s Word. What, then, does the Bible teach about whether women should hold the title of deaconess?
We first encounter the office of deacon in Acts 6:1–6, where “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” were selected to meet the practical needs of the church so that the apostles could devote themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (vv. 3–4). These seven men were “set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them” (v. 6).
According to 1 Timothy 3:1–13, God has appointed the offices of elder and deacon for his church (see also Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; and 2 Tim. 1:6). In this passage, Paul lays out specific qualifications for both offices: Read more»
Le Ann Trees | “Does God Want Deaconesses in the Church?” | January 21, 2026
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