In this short video, we introduce the basics of the Anglican Church in under two minutes. Whether you're discovering this tradition for the first time or wondering where it fits within the wider Christian church, this overview is a friendly place to begin.
Want to learn a little more? Join us as we explore Anglican history, prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments.
Anglicanism invites us to follow Jesus through a shared life of prayer, regular reading of the Bible (including the Old and New Testaments, the Psalms, and the Gospels), and nourishment through the sacraments.
It brings ancient patterns of worship into everyday life, helping ordinary people follow Jesus in their own language, culture, and circumstances.
If you are new to church life, the word "Anglican" can feel like a password you were never given. You might wonder, "Is this basically Catholic? Is it Protestant? Somewhere in between?"
At its heart, Anglicanism is more than a church label. It’s a way of belonging to Christ and learning to follow him in everyday life.
It offers words for prayer when you can't find your own, a place in Scripture’s story when life feels like it's coming apart, and a welcome at the table where Jesus meets you in bread and wine.
Anglicanism seeks to keep Christ at the heart of it all.
Anglicanism’s story took shape during the English Reformation in the sixteenth century. Christians in England wanted to address serious problems in church life while staying rooted in the faith passed down from the apostles. They sought to bring needed change without losing that connection to the early Church.
That desire to welcome reform while holding on to deep roots still shapes Anglican life today.
Anglicans weren’t looking to start from scratch. They kept the historic ministries of bishops, priests, and deacons, continued sharing the ancient creeds (statements of Christian faith), and preserved the familiar rhythms of liturgical worship.
At the same time, they renewed their commitment to helping people hear Scripture in their own language and to preaching that clearly shared the good news of Christ’s saving work.
Today, the Anglican Communion describes itself as a global family of churches, with 42 provinces across more than 165 countries. These communities continue to gather for prayer, share their faith, and bear witness to Christ in their own cultures and languages.
That history matters because it may match your own mixed feelings. You might long for faith with deep roots rather than whatever is trending this year, yet you also hunger for reform where the Church has failed.
Anglicanism has been working through that balance for centuries, and you’re welcome to bring your own questions into the conversation.
The Anglican service and beliefs include several aspects:
Around the world, Anglicans often pray the same passages on the same day, as a reminder that even when you pray on your own, you’re joining a much larger family of faith. In personal prayer, you can lean on written prayers when grief or worry makes it hard to know what to say, or you can simply talk to God as you would to a friend.
Week by week, Anglicans come to the altar, kneeling or standing with open hands, to receive his grace. We come not because we’ve earned it, but because it is a gift. After being nourished at Christ’s table, we are sent out “to love and serve the Lord.” Through everyday acts of kindness, patience, and care, we can share the grace we’ve received and help others encounter Christ’s love.
At New Covenant Church, we’re part of a mission society that connects our congregation with Anglican brothers and sisters around the world. Through these ongoing relationships, we find encouragement in their faith and the ways they follow Jesus.
If you have questions or would simply like to experience this way of life for yourself, we’d love to welcome you to New Covenant. Come as you are, bring your questions, and let’s keep exploring together.