Actually, depending on the bylaws of the denom, an Elder may not have authority over men, but the Pastor would have the authority over all of them. So... then a woman could be an elder. 

I believe Jesus would have stood by His word.  He would have revealed to Paul the truth and not have people going down the wrong path.

While I don't believe in women being a bishop/presbyter/overseer/elder/pastor, I also do not agree with a church leadership model of a single pastor/elder and deacons.  I believe in the plurality of overseers who take care of the spiritual needs of the church, and deacons who take care of the physical needs of the church.

Coming in on this a little late!  Can you guess what my answer is? A GREAT BIG YES!

This subject cannot be effectively understood by just reading a verse that, in all but a very small number of NT versions, is not translated correctly and without having a good foundation in the early church's history, geographical laws and geographical customs.   I have discussed this issue before with others and it usually ends up in both sides holding their own particular choice of translation--restrictive or not restrictive.

The best study I have found on this subject is a small book written by Richard and Katherin Clark Kroeger.  It is a thorough study but is not so large that one feels that they will never get through it.  There are two versions available.  A pdf that is an earlier version than the book and the book, which can be ordered from http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/index.shtml .  The pdf version can be downloaded from http://www.pcusa.org/womensministries/history-theology/women-elders.pdf .  The Kroegers als wrote a very in depth study of 1 Tim 2 11-15 under the title "I SUffer Not A Woman."  It is available through a number of book retailers, including CBE and Amazon.  This book is worth every penny you will spend on it.  I highly recommend it as it presents a very good explanation of some of the most mistranslated and misunderstood verses in our modern Bible.

I used to be of the opinion that women could never be elders.  However, after doing my own study using available resources from numerous church fellowships (not just CoC) I came to the conclussion that the Church of Christ (sof) has a lot to learn where women are concerned.  I came to the definite conclussion that not only can women be elders, but we are probably sinning in God's eyes by refusing to let women stand equal with men and use their God supplied talents and abilities equally with men in the church.

Okimar
In part you are making my point for me.  Yes I said it is one who has the over site that does not a bishop make.  The word bisop as used in the KJV refers to a bisop an official office in the COE and the RC.  It literally said "If any one (not man) desire the WORK not office.  Again how do you scripturally get men into an official office of an elder in the assembly??   If one is following a pattern for the "church" the pattern must be complete.  The only way elders were ordained (reconized) in the NT was by the Holy Spirit or by an inspired preacher.  So which one of those 2 do you want to use to ordain elders?   Now if we are talking about a man made institutional church.  I think they are free to set up their leadership by their rules.   

We can get down in the weeds of the Greek text if that is what you wish.  But to keep it simple here is I Tim 3:1 from Young's literal translation.


1 Timothy 3
 1Stedfast [is] the word: If any one the oversight doth long for, a right work he desireth;


The rest of the NT talks about older men well worn in the faith who are to persude us with their live and ensample.  They are to watch out for warn and be there for the younger converts.  It is not a position of power and authority.  I know this for at least 3 reasons.  1.  Jesus (when He was ask about who could sat on His right hand..) said the power and authority of a ruler would not be in His Kingdom.  2.  Jesus said all power and authority was given to Him that leaves none for men.  3. The letter to the assemblys were not addressed to elders and there is no example of elders ever making a decision on any thing seperate and apart from "the whole assembly".

I believe we are equal in God's love for us.  He doesn't love the Jew more than the Gentile, or a man more than a woman.  Although some would argue over that. LOL
He is also referring to our future state in heaven.

Okimar here is another thought for you.

Ephesians 4:11 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

   
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

 Now why are not these other works made official offices in an institutional church?

If you look at verse 10 you will see that God made all of these folks what they were not man.  Jesus came to set up a spiritual kingdom not another version of the Jewish system where one had to do certain things and follow a certain pattern to be acceptable to God.  Later my brother

Jason
When God told the slave to obey his master and the master to treat the slave fairly was He upholding slvaery or telling folks to work within the culture and circumstances they found themselves in?