As communities of Christians we are held together in the love of Christ. Our many differences are gifts that can build us up in trust and mutual affection, or they can mar the image of Christ that we are called to reflect through our life together.

These Pastoral Principles cards are for you to use in your church community to examine afresh your life together. The focus relates to LGBTI+ people, but they apply to all sorts of difference and diversity among God’s people.

Each of the six principles has a card that describes the principle, offers some reflections and suggests some questions to ponder.

They may be used as:

· as a series of small group studies

· on a parish weekend or a PCC away day

· as part of a training session for people involved in pastoral care in your church

· as a resource for teaching and preaching.

The House of Bishops commends them to the dioceses and parishes of the Church of England.