Women deacons

[Elzee]

Someone in my Bible study had mentioned that in our area when married men were studying to be deacons, that their wives would attend classes with them so that they could share in their ministry. She referred to the wives as deaconesses.

I have heard of several areas where the wives of men who are preparing to be ordained deacons are invited to attend all the classes with him (I think it’s about a 5 year process, isn’t it?) but I’ve never heard them called ‘deaconesses’. They are not ordained along with their husbands. I have heard the wife is encouraged to attend the sessions with her husband for several reasons:

1. It’s for the benefit of their marriage, so she can grow WITH him in the understanding of the faith and what his role will be. The last thing the Church wants is for a husband and wife to grow apart because the husband is answering a call and earning and growing in his faith in an environment secluded from his wife.
2. They are parnters in life, and as a Deacon’s wife she may be naturally asked to assist him with ministries lay people can help with - teaching RCIA classes, leading marriage encounter weekends, etc.
3. She will get to know the other wives of men preparing to become Deacons - women who will share similar experiences throughout their lives.