Brother William,

A literal translation of Acts 14:23 is "chosen elders".  Whether chosen by church voting (which is one connotation in extra-Biblical usage) or by appointment, this word does not in any sense connote a ceremony like our current ordinations.

Actually in the NT church there were several leadership roles - Apostle / Spokesperson / Evangelist (apostolos), Bishop / Overseer (episkopos) of multiple churches within a geographical area, Elder (prebuteros) who led a local congregation, and Deacon / Helper (diakonos).

Examples of Apostles in the SDA church would include Ellen White and HMS Richards Sr and Mark Finley.  Examples of Bishops would include various levels of Conference presidents.  

It is the role of Bishop that the GC policy mavens are vigorously defending against women.  There is no overt GC opposition to women serving (and being ordained) as local elders, or conference officers other than President.  A woman Conference President is what forced the issue.