For the sake of guidance within the church the following working definitions and guidelines for inclusive language are offered. Guideline 1.A. Effort should be made at every level in the life of the church to use inclusive language with respect to the people of God. Further, we show responsible sensitivity to the many women and men who are offended when exclusive language is used. Guideline 1.B . The reading of Scripture in the context of worship is an especially important event for the church.
Careful preparation is advised.
When standard translations are altered in the effort to render them more inclusive, proper acknowledgment is in order. Our language about God should be as intentionally diverse and varied as is that of the Bible and our theological tradition. This diversity should be reflected in the language and life of the church. Guideline 2.B . In some languages such as Spanish, in which nouns and their modifiers are grammatically either masculine or feminine, additional care must be exercised in order to be both inclusive and theologically sound.