The Presbyterian Church (USA), at its national convention, “received” a policy paper which suggests that the church adopt gender-inclusive language for the Trinity. Referring to the Trinity as “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” is obviously sexist and alienates womyn everywhere. It’s a wonder any female would want to become a Christian, huh?

So here are their alternate ways to refer to the Trinity:

• Rock, Redeemer, and Friend
• Mother, Child, and Womb
• Lover, Beloved, and Love
• Creator, Savior, and Sanctifier
• King of Glory, Prince of Peace, and Spirit of Love

So instead of being baptized “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” you could be baptized “in the name of the Rock, Redeemer, and Friend.”

I begin most of my prayers with, “Dear Father,” for whatever reason. Learned it as a kid, I guess, and fell into that rut. Perhaps I should begin prayers with, “Dear Creator,” or “Dear Lover.” Yeah, that would catch Pam’s attention in a public prayer meeting.

Then there’s the familiar Doxology, which ends “…praise father, son, and Holy Ghost.” The delegates sang a version which uses alternate language and avoids male nouns and pronouns for God.

I learned about this on Mark Driscoll’s blog. He referred to “some folks at the Presbyterian Church (USA) who have free time because no one is going to their church.” Oooooh, touche!