Explanation

Language matters, especially for Episcopalians who believe that the words we use to pray shape our beliefs about God and humankind, and who promise in baptism to “Respect the dignity of every human person.” Our seminaries and schools of formation, whether for those seeking to expand their ministries as lay people or for those seeking ordination have the opportunity and the responsibility to teach about the ways language can be used to marginalize people. This resolution asks seminaries and schools of formation to both explore and teach the theological foundations for the use of gender-inclusive language as well as to model that usage with policies that require the use of inclusive language when referring to God or humans. Many but not all of our seminaries already have such policies. Such theological reflection and language policies will equip our lay and ordained leaders to encourage inclusive language through out our church and make The Episcopal Church a more welcoming place for all people. From the Society of Biblical Literature Handbook of Style, second edition (2014), section 4.3.1: “The generic use of masculine nouns and pronouns is increasingly unacceptable in current English usage. Historians must obviously be sensitive to the requirements of their sources, but in many cases the assignment of gender to God is best avoided.”