Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention acknowledges as has the Society of Biblical Literature Book of Style,that “bias-free language respects all cultures, peoples, and religions” (SBL Handbook of Style sec. 4.3.1) and encourages the use of inclusive and expansive language for both God and humanity; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention in the spirit of effective evangelism and proclamation of the Gospel affirm the use of “bias-free language” defined by the principles below:

• Eliminate the perception of conscious or unconscious bias by the distracting use of biased language when not central to the meaning of the text.
• Avoid the generic use of masculine nouns and pronouns which is increasingly unacceptable in current English usage.
• Avoid the use of language that perpetuates stereotypes based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
• Avoid the assignment of gender to God, except when required by the text.
• Respect all cultures, peoples, and religions by sensitivity to the uncritical use of biblical characterizations such as “the Jews” or “the Pharisees” that can perpetuate religious and ethnic stereotypes.
• Structure sentences to communicate clearly while using gender-neutral language, for example:
  • Omit the pronoun.
  • Repeat the noun.
  • Use a plural antecedent.
  • Use an article instead of a pronoun.
  • Use the neutral singular pronoun “one.”
  • Use the relative pronoun “who.”
  • Use the imperative mood;

And be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention urges that the Executive Council, the Office of General Convention and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and all its employees shall follow give priority to using these guidelines in all published communications; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention exhort Episcopalians, dioceses, and congregations, and institutions, and organizations affiliated with the Episcopal Church to follow these guidelines in all published communications.