Anglican Worship (A Brief Word)

Why do Anglicans worship the way they do? Why is our liturgy shaped in the specific way that it is (a form that goes back to the ancient church and was formalized in the 1549 prayer book)? What is distinct about Anglican worship?

Let me allow Winfield Bevins to help answer that question (at least in part):

“Are you new to the Anglican tradition and curious why Anglicans have a liturgical form of worship? There are several aspects to understand about the value of Anglican liturgy.

First, Anglican liturgy is God-centered versus man-centered. So much of contemporary Christian worship is ‘me centered’ and focuses on how ‘I’ feel, feeding the ego. Liturgy frees us from worshiping ourselves and keeps the focus on the Triune God. With reading the Scripture, reciting the Creeds, and confession, Anglican worship reminds us that real worship is about God, not us.

Second, Anglican liturgy is scriptural. It is estimated that nearly 80-90 percent of the historical liturgy is based on Scripture. Saturated with Scripture from the Old and New Testament, the Word of God is the very foundation of the Book of Common Prayer, and thus Anglican worship. It is common to have three to four passages of Scripture read aloud during an Anglican worship service, not including the scriptural passages incorporated in the prayers.

Third, Anglican liturgy is communal and is meant to involve everyone in the worship service—it is participatory. Liturgy keeps us from being spectators and consumers by helping us engage in the worship of God with others. Liturgy, after all, is the ‘work of the people.’ The antiphonal (call and response) design of the worship service included the Book of Common Prayer ensures that each person has the opportunity to participate in the liturgy.

Fourth, Anglican liturgy sanctifies time and space. The liturgy follows the Christian calendar, which calls us out of our secular time and orders the annual cycle of our lives around the life of Christ. Such rhythms and distinctions help to conform us to Christ within a worshiping context. The physical components of the liturgy (altar, candles, vestments, etc) help to form sacred spaces of worship in our churches that allow us to enter the presence of God without distraction and with pure intention. Anglicanism offers a rich multi sensory worship experience that engages the whole person with touch, taste, smell, and feeling.

Fifth, Anglican liturgy unites us with the historic faith by inviting us to join the larger Christian story. In the liturgy, we participate in the same prayers, songs, and rhythms with Christians who lived through the ages. Too often, contemporary Christians forget that there have been two thousand years of church history. This connection to the past offers a rich tradition of communal worship.”

(Quote from Winfield Bevins, Simply Anglican, pages 62–63)