Austin Church Distributed Inclusive Bible Translation
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church utilized the gender-neutral text to welcome new congregants.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Religion — General
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In August 2026, Austin’s St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was highlighted for its practice of providing new members with the Inclusive Bible. The congregation uses this 2007 edition to replace traditional gendered language with neutral titles.
Why it matters
The church views the Inclusive Bible as a superior theological tool because it substitutes terms like Son of God with phrasing such as Only Begotten to avoid gendered connotations.
First published in 2007 by Priests for Equality, this version replaces gendered language with terms like Sovereign One and Most High. Rev. Jim Rigby has led the congregation for 35 years.
The players
Jim Rigby
Jim Rigby serves as the head pastor at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and has held the position for 35 years.
James Talarico
James Talarico is a candidate for the Texas Senate who was previously baptized at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is a religious institution based in Austin, Texas.
The details
Staff at the Austin church explain the text's purpose to new members during services, highlighting the decision to remove gender-fueled language from the scriptures. The congregation's approach gained attention following the release of undercover video footage recorded in August 2026.
Timeline
The Inclusive Bible was first published in 2007.
James Talarico made comments about God during a 2021 House debate.
Undercover video footage of the church was recorded in August 2026.
Culture Shift
The use of gender-neutral scripture reflects a broader movement within some progressive religious circles to modernize traditional theological texts. This practice follows a pattern set by previous public discourse involving congregants like James Talarico.
The adoption of the Inclusive Bible influences how new church members interact with liturgy and scripture during weekly services. Residents may notice the shift in traditional language during sermons and communal readings at the church.
The takeaway
The use of inclusive translations highlights a significant shift in how some congregations approach historical texts in modern settings. Readers interested in religious trends may find that institutional language choices increasingly mirror evolving societal norms.
Further reading
For more on evolving religious practices, visit our Religion — General section.
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Should religious institutions update traditional texts to use more inclusive language?
