Scholars speculate that the Epistles to Timothy were not penned by Paul himself but by one of his followers. They reflect a degree of organization in the Church that we recognize, bishops, deacons, elders (priests), unlike the more fluid church structures (apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, administrators) in the assuredly Pauline letters like Corinthians and Romans. What that says to us is that the Church developed the kind of leadership that it needed to bring the gospel over time. Of particular note to us is that there seem to have been women deacons as part of the early structure of the Church. Deacons should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified. Pope Francis have even formed two separate commissions to investigate whether restoring women to serve as deacons is appropriate today. He has received their report but not issued his response. The bottom line: the Church must constantly seek to find the right kind of leadership in order to evangelize a constanly changing world.
