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What Is Anglicanism?

Anglicans form the third largest body of Christians in the world and descend from the Protestant Reformation as it transpired in England in and around the sixteenth century. Anglicans strive for unity, not uniformity, and welcome elasticity both in worship style and in less essential aspects of doctrine. The distinctives that define us as uniquely Anglican are our beliefs, our practice, and our governance.

Beliefs

Anglicans are, most fundamentally, Christians. Rooted in the ancient church and affirming the Nicene Creed, Apostles’ Creed, and Athanasian Creed, we, like all Christians, believe in and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and ascended. Our beliefs are best summarized in a document called the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, the foundational statement of Anglican belief. In it you will see that we both hold to the fundamentals of the ancient church and embrace the central tenets of the Reformers, such as salvation by Christ alone, the authority and sufficiency of the scriptures for defining belief and doctrine, and justification by faith. We are committed to promoting and protecting the biblical gospel and mission to the world, as stated in the Jerusalem Declaration.

Practice

Anglicans are distinctive in our use of standards for discipleship and worship. We use ancient modes of worship brought together in the Book of Common Prayer. That worship is led most often by clergy, but it is highly participatory through the responses of the congregation. We follow the church calendar with holidays and seasons like Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. These rhythms remind us of different aspects of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus and aid in devotion, education, and spiritual formation.

Governance

In keeping with the pattern of the ancient church, Anglicans retain three “orders” of clergy:
  • Bishops, who oversee a geographical diocese (a collection of churches or congregations)
  • Presbyters or priests, who oversee a church or congregation
  • Deacons, who serve those in need within a local congregation
While our congregations are led by clergy, we are governed by councils. On the diocesan level, the council is called a synod or convention. On the parish level, it is called a vestry or parish council. In this conciliar model, both the voice and vote of clergy and laity come together in the decision-making processes of the church.

Governance

In keeping with the pattern of the ancient church, Anglicans retain three “orders” of clergy:
  • Bishops, who oversee a geographical diocese (a collection of churches or congregations)
  • Presbyters or priests, who oversee a church or congregation
  • Deacons, who serve those in need within a local congregation
While our congregations are led by clergy, we are governed by councils. On the diocesan level, the council is called a synod or convention. On the parish level, it is called a vestry or parish council. In this conciliar model, both the voice and vote of clergy and laity come together in the decision-making processes of the church.
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Watch the Bishop's Video Series

In our “What Is Anglicanism?” video series, Bishop Alex expands upon the qualities that separate Anglicanism from other Protestant denominations:, including our ancient-rooted beliefs, our standards of discipleship and worship, and the governance of our diocese and churches.
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