Last time I described Presbyterian opinion and practice on gender in language about God. In this essay, I'll show, using other findings from the same Presbyterian Panel survey (February 1999), that many Presbyterians favor gender-inclusive and gender-neutral language when people are the focus of attention.
The preference for gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language when referring to other human beings comes across most clearly in responses to questions on alternative words or phrases that "people speaking in worship" might use when making "broad references to the church and the people of God." As the figure shows, when given a choice, few select a gender-exclusive option (e.g., brothers) when a gender-inclusive (e.g., brothers and sisters) or gender-neutral (e.g.,people) alternative is readily available. And this finding holds for both clergy and laity.
Interestingly, when both gender-neutral and gender-inclusive options are presented, most Presbyterians reveal a distinct preference for the gender-neutral word or phrase. Almost no one, for example, chooses God's sons, but of the other options, God's children is selected by eight times as many members as the alternative God's sons and daughters (82 percent to 10 percent). A similar differential is found among pastors.
Despite these clear preferences, relatively few lay Presbyterians are likely to be upset if the pastor or other worship leaders use gender-exclusive terminology where people in general are concerned. Almost three in four members (72 percent) indicate, on another Panel question, that it is not very important or not at all important to them that worship leaders use gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language when making "broad references to the church and the people of God." But pastors are just the opposite 74 percent believe it to be very important or important that gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language about people be used.
Very few congregations have official, session-approved policies "encouraging the use of gender-neutral or gender-inclusive terms in worship when referring to the church ... the people of God." Only 7 percent of members and 8 percent of pastors report having such a policy. Nevertheless, somewhat larger minorities, including 36 percent of members and 43 percent of pastors, believe "the PCUSA ought to have a general policy on what gender-related language is appropriate when Presbyterians refer to the people of God." These percentages are, interestingly, a bit higher than the corresponding ones in a parallel question on gender-related language about God; there, 31 percent of members and 29 percent of pastors indicated a preference for a denominational policy.
In sum, most pastors are sensitive to the need for gender- inclusive and gender-neutral language about people in worship, and it follows that most Presbyterian worship services contain such language often, perhaps even preferentially. But it's also true that few persons in the pew would object if the pastor used a phrase like "brothers in Christ" to refer to the whole of the church.
The full report on the February 1999 Panel Survey on Inclusive Language (#65100-99259) is available for $5 from PDS at (800) 524-2612. The summary is available on-line at: Presbyterian Panel Summary: Language and God
Research Services