Ordained male-only elders and deacons; universal priesthood; no sacerdotal priesthood
The PCA affirms a limited, functional ordained ministry of male elders (teaching and ruling) and male deacons. This distinction between ordained officers and the congregation does not create a sacerdotal priesthood that mediates salvation, as in Catholicism or Orthodoxy.
The universal priesthood of all believers is maintained: all Christians have direct access to God through Christ and can intercede for one another. The ordained office is a functional distinction for leadership and teaching, not a metaphysical elevation that grants special sacramental powers.
The PCA restricts pastoral and ruling elder offices to qualified men on the basis of complementarian theology and biblical texts such as 1 Timothy 2:12-13 and Titus 1:6. Women are affirmed as full church members with gifts for ministry, but not as teaching or ruling elders. Deacons serve in mercy ministry, and deaconesses may be appointed as their female counterparts.
Key Distinctions
- Ministry model:
- Teaching elder (pastor) and ruling elder; deacons for mercy
Scripture References
Sources
- Westminster Confession of Faith XXVI
- PCA Book of Church Order