The Shape of Anglicanism: A Story of Identity and Change

Imagine you’re walking into a church on a Sunday morning. The building might be centuries old or a modern space filled with light. The people gathered are reading from the Bible, praying familiar words, and singing hymns that echo through the ages. You might wonder: what makes this church “Anglican”? And why does that matter?

Let’s step back in time, to a moment when the church in England was at a crossroads. The 16th century was a time of upheaval, with kings and queens, reformers and traditionalists, all wrestling with what it meant to be faithful to Christ. Out of this struggle, Anglicanism was born—not as a brand-new invention, but as a movement to return to the roots of Christian faith, shaped by Scripture and the wisdom of the early church.

At the heart of this story is Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Cranmer believed that the church needed to be re-formed, not replaced. He wanted worship to be in the language of the people, and for the Bible to be at the centre of every gathering. He helped create the Book of Common Prayer, a collection of prayers and services that would shape Anglican worship for centuries. He also helped write the Articles of Religion, a set of beliefs that would guide the church’s teaching.

But Anglicanism was never just about documents. It was about a way of being Christian that held together three things: a commitment to the teachings of Scripture, a pattern of worship that was both ancient and accessible, and a way of organising the church with bishops, priests, and deacons. These became the “formularies”—the foundation stones of Anglican identity.

As the centuries passed, Anglicanism spread across the world. In every place, it took on new colors and customs, but always with those foundation stones in place. Sometimes, though, the shape of Anglicanism has been stretched—by history, by culture, and by the desire to include as many people as possible. Some have said Anglicanism is a “middle way” between Catholic and Protestant, or simply about being in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, or even about tolerating every possible belief. But these ideas, while popular, don’t quite capture the heart of what makes Anglicanism unique.

The real story is deeper. Authentic Anglicanism is not just a set of practices or a vague sense of belonging. It’s a living tradition, rooted in the conviction that doctrine shapes practice. The Book of Common Prayer, the Articles of Religion, and the Ordinal (which sets out how ministers are ordained) are not just relics—they are living guides, helping Anglicans stay true to their calling in every generation.

Yet, Anglicanism is not frozen in time. Cranmer himself expected the Prayer Book to be revised as the church grew and changed. The formularies allow for flexibility, so long as the core convictions remain: Scripture is central, worship is communal and participatory, and the church is led by those called to serve and teach.

Today, as debates swirl about what it means to be Anglican—about doctrine, worship, and leadership—the story reminds us that authenticity comes from faithfulness to these foundations. When Anglicanism is stretched so far that it loses its confessional, liturgical, and episcopal character, it risks becoming unrecognizable.

So, next time you walk into an Anglican church, remember: you are stepping into a story that began with a desire to be faithful to Christ, shaped by Scripture, and open to the world. The challenge for every generation is to keep that story alive, holding fast to what matters most, even as the world changes around us.

If you want to read more about what makes Anglicanism authentic, check out the full report from Sydney’s Doctrine Commission at bit.ly/authenticanglicanism.