The position of Bethlehem Baptist Church is that eldership is open to any man in the church who meets the spiritual qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. We believe that the office of deacon is open to any man or woman who meets the spiritual qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8-13. For a discussion of our views on manhood and womanhood as they relate to the office of elder, see the following resources:
Wayne Grudem and John Piper, eds., Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, section two, "Exegetical and Theological Studies," especially chapters eight and nine.
John Piper, "Manhood, Womanhood, and the Freedom to Minister"
John Piper, "Sexual Complementarity"
John Piper, "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: The Sermon Series"
Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership