Can a female be a deacon?
Answer
Yes and no. Paul speaks of a woman named Phoebe whom he calls “a servant [deacon] of the church which is at Cenchrea.” (Romans 16:1) Whether that was an official position or a mere description has long been debated. Perhaps she was a widow being supported by the church and doing work for the congregation as a result.
That a woman cannot hold the title of Deacon, as a specially designated servant, as in 1 Timothy 3, is clear. The requirements for the position of deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. In verse 12 Paul specifies that the deacon be the husband of one wife. That would disqualify a woman, because any woman who is married to a wife (specifically a woman) would not be part of God’s body.