God Beyond Gender: Crafting Inclusive Liturgy

Anglican doctrine affirms that God is beyond gender, yet its official liturgy has struggled to reflect this core belief. While society has embraced more inclusive language and attitudes, the Church’s liturgical language has lagged behind. Recognising this, the Church of England recently established a Commission to explore gender-neutral language for God, though progress has yet to be reported. This practical and inspiring book offers a compelling alternative: enriching our imagery for God by incorporating images from female life alongside the traditional male ones--just as Jesus did in Luke 15, pairing the parable of the lost coin with the parable of the lost sheep. By expanding our metaphors for God to embrace both male and female experience, we deepen our understanding of the divine. For anyone seeking to enrich the ways we speak about and to God, this accessible guide provides practical tools for creating gender-inclusive liturgy. It includes sample collects, Eucharistic prefaces, blessings, and complete liturgies that use inclusive language, along with clear advice on when, where, and how these can be incorporated into the authorised liturgies of the Church of England. Whether you’re a clergy member, liturgist, or simply someone passionate about inclusive worship, this book equips you to transform our language and draw closer to a God who transcends human categories.