|
The roots of the Anglican, or English, Church go back as far as the 2nd century, but its current structure and status can be traced back to English Reformations in the 1600s. Today, the Anglican Church has a global presence with nearly 85 million participants and continues to uphold its devotion to prayer and reading the scriptures, the sacraments, and leading by the Holy Spirit as modeled by the earliest Christian believers.
While Anglicanism serves as a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, having kept features and practices from the historic traditions such as vestments, the historic church calendar, and robust liturgical worship, it accommodates a diverse expression of faith and worship among its members. This means that even though we share a common liturgy, Scripture lectionary, and prayers, an Anglican worship service in South America will look and sound differently than one in Canada or Africa.
Simply stated, the three streams common to all Anglican worship are the sacred Scriptures, the blessed sacraments, and the Holy Spirit. This combination is a core value of Christ Church Vero Beach.
Scriptures and Creeds
Anglicans hold the Holy Bible to be the highest and supreme authority in matters of faith, containing all things necessary for salvation. Anglicans also read the Apocrypha “for example of life and instruction of manners,” but not to establish doctrine.
Anglican Christianity is unified by its confession of the Biblical truth contained in the three historic creeds of the Church (the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed). These documents offer us a concise summary of authentic and essential Christian doctrines (e.g., the divinity of Christ, the virgin birth, the Trinity) common to the majority of Christians. They serve to guard the faith from error and revisionist agendas.
Rather than reinventing the faith to fit culture, Anglicanism reminds us that we need lead from the foundational truths of Christianity as handed down from the Early Church through the Holy Scriptures and the historic creeds. These timeless truths and doctrines contrast and sometimes conflict with the postmodern values of our culture, providing each Christian with a reliable foundation upon which to stand. The mission of the church is to engage a changing world with an ancient faith that is relevant and fresh for the present generation.
|
 |
At Christ Church, members, newcomers and guests are nurtured in worship, Scriptural truths, practical evangelism, and deepened faith. Learn more about the many ministries and programs we offer for children, youth, families and adults.
To experience the love of Christ and a place to belong, please attend one of our Worship services, or call our Church Office at 772.562.8670 to schedule a meeting with one of our Pastors.
Find directions here to our church and information about service times at Christ Church Vero Beach.
|
|
Prayers
Anglicans are a praying people. Aside from the Holy Bible, one of the most fundamental companion books is the Book of Common Prayer, a collection of psalms, daily prayer services, scripture reading calendar, topical prayers (called 'collects'), and other important resources for use in the personal and corporate worship of Anglicans. One of the main challenges for other Protestants is understanding how the Anglicans' prayers and liturgies inform and establish our theology, but as prayer shapes our beliefs, so our beliefs ultimately shape our prayer.
For more information on Anglicanism, please contact Fr. Keith Allen or Fr. Hunter Van Wagenen for resources and/or clarification.
|
