(OPINION) The Methodist Church has claimed that ministers should avoid using the terms “husband” and “wife” because it conveys an assumption that is not “the reality for many people”.

The denomination made the statement in its “Inclusive Language Guide”, which will be updated every six months to advise congregations how to “repent of any hurtful language” when addressing groups which have been “marginalised and/or demonised by common culture”.

The guidance argued that “relationships come in many varied expressions”, and using the terms “parent”, “partner” and “child” are “a good place to start”.

In sections addressing ‘gender identity’, the guide claimed that “using a person’s chosen pronouns is helpful as it honours their identity”, noting that those of “different genders may choose to use a gender-neutral title such as Mx”.

It added: “Language such as ‘brothers and sisters’, while intended to be inclusive and friendly, doesn’t take into account our non-binary friends”.

The guidance pushed congregations to “share your own pronouns in conversation”, and directed them to controversial LGBT activist groups Stonewall and GLAAD for further information.