I commend
to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in
the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need
from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Romans
16:1-2
In 1
Timothy 3, Paul outlined the qualifications of a deacon. The description seems more male-centric especially
verse 12:
A
deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his
household well.
Then
again, Paul addressed a number of servants at the end of the Romans including
Phoebe, who he called a deacon.
Some
churches ordain female deacons. Others
ordain the husband and include his wife in their service together. In the end, it comes down to a church’s
preference over leadership and what they feel led to impose.