Anglicanism is a global form of Christianity whose distinct identity began to take shape in England during the reformations of the Western Church in the sixteenth century. The global expansion of Anglican Christianity happened in tandem with the growth of the British Empire; likewise, its maturation and devolution from the Church of England in various locales into a worldwide communion of autonomous regional churches (i.e. Anglican Church of Canada, Church of Nigeria, Church of South India, etc.) mirrors the decolonizing work of its peoples over time.

The Anglican church is a product of the Reformation, although a peculiar one in that it holds together, like a double helix, two strands of Western Christianity: Catholic and Reformed.^[1] The creative tension of these two strands continues to generate a distinct theological voice that blends Catholic order and rhythms with a Reformed approach to the development of doctrine and practices. For examples, the historic orders of ordained ministry (bishops, priests, and deacons), the cycles of holy days and saints days, as well as a sacramental approach to worship are examples of its Catholic strand; the authority of the Christian scriptures in forming doctrine, and its teaching that faith is a gift of God’s grace that justifies any believer to share in God’s holiness are examples of its Reformed strand.

Anglicanism is a “thoughtful, non-fundamentalist, and contextually sensitive”^[2] way of faith that seeks to proclaim the good news Jesus teaches of God’s Kingdom, to baptise and nurture new believers to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, respond to human need in loving service, transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence, pursue peace and reconciliation, and safeguard the integrity of all God’s creation.^[3] The very best way to learn more about Anglicans is to experience us in prayer, worship, and service. How we pray, what we sing, and how we act is a sure way to know how Anglicans believe and follow Jesus today.