The Anglican Church is a Protestant Christian denomination. A plain-English introduction to where it comes from, what it believes, how services work, and Chinese ministry in the Diocese of Sydney.
Looking for a church in Sydney, you'll see many with "Anglican" in the name. Here's what that means.
Where does it come from?
The Anglican Church grew out of the Church of England and took shape in the sixteenth-century Reformation as a Protestant denomination. It came to Australia with British settlement. Today it is the Anglican Church of Australia, and the Diocese of Sydney is one of its dioceses, led by the Archbishop of Sydney.
What do Anglicans believe?
At the core, the same as other Protestant churches:
- The Bible is God's word and the highest authority for faith and life
- People are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by their own good works
- One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Two historic documents shape Anglican belief and worship: the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles.
How is it different?
1. Liturgy. Services often use written prayers and creeds said together. Much of the wording draws on the Bible. Chinese liturgy is available on our Resources page.
2. Two sacraments. Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion).
3. Bishops. Churches are led by bishops, ministers and deacons, and parishes belong to one diocese that supports them.
4. Parishes. Each church usually serves a local area. Many run Mandarin or Cantonese services alongside English, or offer Chinese translation in English services.
Chinese ministry in Sydney Anglican churches
Find a church by area or by language (Mandarin, Cantonese), or watch the Archbishop of Sydney's testimony.
Wondering what a first visit is like? Read First time at church.