The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum More Sticky Issues of Women in the Church

John,

Your confusion is 100% due to a typo on my part! What I initially wrote, and which has since been corrected, thanks to you for bringing this to my attention, "I believe that the Elders have any authority to delegate their authority to anyone who cannot qualify, should be "I believe that the Elders do not have any authority to delegate their authority to anyone who cannot qualify".

On this one, and let's see if I can type my actual thoughts correctly , I believe that the collecting of the tithes and offerings is a specific task which belongs to the Deacons, which is an ordained office of the Church and of which only men may serve. Contrary to what John Piper thinks and others which hold to similar positions concerning the office of Deacon, the Scripture is VERY clear that only men may serve as Deacons and that it IS an office which has authority; e.g., the determination on how to distribute the Lord's money to those who are in need, etc. It is very unfortunate, as of late, that the office of Deacon is often looked upon as inferior to that of Elder and in the case of many, not even recognized as an "office" in the Church, but rather one akin to a Social Worker made up of willing volunteers, etc.

Does that help?

In His Grace,