PCA Denies Female Deacons Ordination, Cites Biblical Interpretation

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has issued a formal response to a group of dissenting pastors who sought approval for allowing women to serve as deacons. The dissent arose following the denomination’s General Assembly in the summer, where the majority of delegates voted against a proposal to permit women in the office of deacon. An official PCA committee had previously urged delegates to reject the proposal.

The PCA currently allows women to assist deacons in their duties but restricts the office of deacon to men. Despite this official stance, many PCA churches list female deaconesses on their websites, according to pastor Sean McGowan. A 2025 independent review by PCA member Paul Biegler found that at least 88 churches included such designations.

In response to the dissent, a group of five PCA pastors—most of whom are presidents of Reformed theological seminaries—authored the denomination’s reply. They argued that the dissenters misinterpreted certain words and phrases in the Scriptures they cited. For example, they stated that the Greek word *diakonos*, used in Romans 16 to refer to a woman named Phoebe, generally means “servant” in the New Testament and does not necessarily imply she was a deacon.

The pastors also emphasized that the PCA bases its position on positive Biblical commands regarding church offices rather than the absence of a prohibition. They maintained that the denomination’s interpretation aligns with the text and tradition of Scripture.

The dissenters, however, contended that the proper interpretation of passages in Romans 16 and 1 Timothy 3 allows for the possibility of female deacons. They noted that some regions of the church have had female deacons for centuries, and many conservative Reformed teachers have supported this view. The Westminster Confession and other foundational Presbyterian documents were also silent on the sex of deacons, they argued.

Additionally, the dissenters pointed out that nine different presbyteries within the PCA had submitted similar proposals to allow female deacons. These proposals were consolidated into one for consideration at the General Assembly. The number of regional proposals suggested that the issue remained unresolved within the denomination.

The debate reflects ongoing tensions within the PCA over the interpretation of Scripture and the role of women in church leadership. As the denomination continues to navigate these discussions, the issue of female deacons remains a significant point of contention.

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