What is Anglicanism?

As Anglicans, we are part of a global communion of churches established over the centuries by the Church of England. The word Anglican actually means “of England.” As British Anglicans, compelled by the word of God and the Holy Spirit, took their faith around the world, churches were established on every continent and in many nations. British pastoral leaders encouraged autonomy and collegiality with these daughter churches, and over time, 39 separate “provinces” of the Anglican Church were established around the world. Today these provinces function in a voluntary communion based around common beliefs and practices. The leaders of each province, called archbishops, gather periodically to discuss the work of the church and to resolve issues that may arise.

The Anglican Church is a Biblically-based church with ancient roots and a treasure of rich resources that help us grow as followers of Jesus Christ to Love God and serve our Communities as Christians.

Anglicans have always sought to worship God faithfully with living forms of worship. Therefore, our services and liturgies mirror the worship of the ancient apostolic church while incorporating the common language and culture of the communities in which they are practiced. Furthermore, Anglicans incorporate both ancient sacramental practices as well as visual symbols to celebrate the certainty of our faith and the mysteries of God. Together, sacrament, symbol and word, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, connect our senses with our minds and hearts.

In order to remain true to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, Anglicans have historically upheld the Holy Scriptures as God’s Word, have held to the summary of evangelical beliefs known as the Thirty-Nine Articles of Faith and have accepted the three great Christian creeds, the Apostles’, the Nicene and the Athanasian, as the fundamental statements of the Christian faith. We celebrate the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as commanded by Jesus and we uphold the historic order of Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons in the administration of the church’s life and mission.

Today the worldwide Anglican Communion is experiencing both tremendous stress and tremendous renewal. The stress comes as some provinces depart from historic Anglican faith and practices and from the orthodox understanding of the Holy Scriptures. On the other hand, the renewal comes from the explosive growth of the gospel through Anglican churches and missions in many locations, particularly the “2/3 world.” For example, there are more than 15 million Anglicans in Nigeria -- more than all Anglicans in the United States!

It is indeed an unusual and exciting time to be Anglican. Those of us gathered here at Holy Trinity, without ambivalence, wholeheartedly embrace that we have been called to be followers of Jesus Christ in the Anglican tradition for such a time as this. We have a deep sense that God is calling us to live more faithfully and trust him more genuinely than ever.

What is The Anglican Mission (AMiA)?

The Anglican Mission in America was birthed in a daring faith-move by Archbishops Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda and Yong Ping Chung of Southeast Asia in response to growing divergence from traditional Anglican beliefs in the United States. In January 2000, Archbishops Yong & Kolini consecrated Chuck Murphy and John Rodgers as Missionary Bishops to the United States. Further movement came in August when these same archbishops signaled “full speed ahead” to the development of the Anglican Mission in America. The AMiA was established as a missionary society, charged with taking the gospel to 130 million unchurched and dechurched Americans. Its task is to plant fully Anglican, thoroughly evangelical churches in fulfillment of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Having planted over 140 churches in the past 8 years, the Anglican Mission provides a way for congregations and clergy to be fully Anglican—connected to the worldwide Anglican Communion through leadership in Rwanda —while at the same time being free of the crises of faith, leadership and mission that surround Anglican practices in the United States. Nine bishops give active direction to this mission effort under the leadership of Bishop Chuck Murphy as Director.

You can learn more about the Anglican Mission in America at www.theamia.org.

What is The Anglican Church of North America (ACNA)?

In June 2009, another encouraging development of authentic Anglican ministry and mission occurred in Bedford, Texas with the establishment of the Anglican Church of North America. ACNA is a duly constituted federation of nine different evangelical, orthodox Anglican movements serving the people of the North America. It is recognized as a new province of Anglicanism by a growing number of global Anglican archbishops and is led by Archbishop Bob Duncan of Pittsburg. The AMiA, and therefore Holy Trinity Church, is a founding member of ACNA. Through this provincial alliance, Holy Trinity is now connected constitutionally as well as spiritually with like-minded faithful Anglicans throughout the continent. We rejoice at the growing cooperation and unity with our brothers and sisters around the world and in our own nation.

As the future unfolds, we fully expect that our participation in ACNA will become increasingly important and visible in our everyday life as a church.

You can learn more about the Anglican Church of North America at www.acnaassembly.org.

[This content gratefully republished by permission from All Saints Church.]