1 Timothy 3:8-13

Can women be deacons?

This verse is tucked into the middle of 2 verses clearly meant for men:
v. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

That first word is also translated "deaconess" Is a "deaconess" a female deacon? A wife of a deacon? What was Phoebe (also called a "deaconness" in Romans 16)?
16:1 "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well."

I've already reached the conclusion here that women can't be elders, as that would put them in a position of authority over a man. That conforms with 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, etc.

But, what about a deacon? A deacon's role is not to have authority, but to serve.
In too many churches there are deacon committees that pretty much run the church and vote on very important decisions. That's not what they're called to do in Scripture. Seems to me that's the elders' job.

So, if the "deacons" of your church are actually exercising elder authority, then I can easily say "no, a woman's role is not to be a deacon." But, if your deacons are actually like the ones in Scripture and don't have authority and are instead servants to authority, then what keeps a woman servant (like Phoebe) from holding the title of deacon?

Many would point to verses 10 and 12 which clearly say "men." And I'm okay with exercising caution about giving a woman the title of deacon based on these verses. But, in two letters Paul clearly mentions deaconesses, one of which (Phoebe) is clearly serving just like a male deacon.

From this chapter, I'm left with 1 conclusion and 1 question:
Conclusion: Deacons should be servants to authority rather than holders of authority.
Question: Since women who are servants to authority (like Phoebe) are found in Scripture, are they also deacons?