Female elders have been in the Methodist tradition for some time. I don’t remember anything from the Wesleys on it, so it had to develop after that. They were Anglican, and at that time, the Anglicans did not permit it.
For some time, we’ve had elders at all levels who are female.
I can’t find a legitimate biblical basis for it. I can find female deacons, and have a reasonable argument for it. But the biblical argument for female elders is tenuous.
The ARP, my current home, does allow for female deacons.
I find support for that in Scripture, and the question often bubbles up in the PCA, but thus far has not found support.
News to me. Although I was a trustee before leaving UMC. But I’m so much more comfortable in my present worship environment where all the elders, all the ushers and all those who serve the Lord’s Supper are men. There are female (as well as male) altar assistants to the Pastor during the Divine Service, and women lectors, teachers and deaconesses, as well as many female committee members and chairs of the various ministries; but the adult men’s role in our services and oversight is not diluted by pushy feminists. Love it!
Hope you had a wonderful Easter, xzins!