What does iT mean to be Anglican?

To be Anglican is not to embrace a distinct version of Christianity, but a distinct way of being a “Mere Christian,” at the same time evangelical, apostolic, catholic, reformed, and Spirit-filled. We belong to a world-wide Anglican Communion, constituting the third largest Christian body globally.

Anglicanism is a Christian tradition that emerged from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. It is the third-largest Protestant denomination in the world. The Anglican Church has a rich tradition of making disciples around the world and now includes some 85 million members in more than 165 countries.

Also called the Anglican Communion, the Anglican Church is made up of 40 global member Provinces. The provinces are subdivided into dioceses, and the dioceses into parishes. All of the provinces are autonomous, free to make decisions in their own ways. C4SO belongs to the province of The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

The Five Foundation Stones of Anglicanism:

Scriptural: Anglicans uphold the Bible as God’s word revealed, the narrative of salvation history. We understand our lives and ministry within the narrative of God’s saving grace and deliverance.

Historic: Anglicans are rooted in the sacred tradition of the 1st century church expressed in what we believe and how we practice our faith through word, liturgy and the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, as well as other sacramental rites. We also recognize the historic episcopate, with our Holy Orders following the pattern of apostolic succession in the undivided Church.

Spirit-led: Anglicans recognize that as believers in Christ, we receive the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit who guides and equips us, transforming us day by day so that we better reflect Christ in our lives through word and deed.

Incarnational: In response to Christ’s Great Commandment and Great Commission, Anglicans live as Kingdom people who both proclaim and live out what Jesus taught and modeled.  We engage culture, focus on the needs of others before our own, and act as God’s cooperative partners to pursue deliverance, justice and mercy for all people.

Integrated: Anglicans are united and connected not only “with the great cloud of witnesses” throughout Church history, but also with Christ followers around the world. Anglicanism is part of a global Christian faith, or, as expressed in the Nicene Creed: “the one holy catholic and apostolic church.”

What is C4SO?

Cornerstone belongs to the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO)—an Anglican diocese built on five key values: Kingdom, Spirit, Formation, Mission, Sacrament. Learn more about those values here. C4SO began as a church planting movement in 2009 in the Anglican Mission in the Americas. The Anglican Church in North America’s Provincial Council approved its formation as a diocese in June 2013, and its common life is ordered by the C4SO Canons. Now, C4SO unites churches and leaders located primarily in California, Texas, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the Southeast, organized by Regional Deaneries. In these diverse contexts, C4SO seeks to develop ministry from the mission field back—contextualizing the Anglican tradition for a given ministry setting.

Who is our Bishop?

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter is the founding bishop of The Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others and founder of The Center for Formation, Justice and Peace. He is past president of Alpha USA, former national director for the Association of Vineyard Churches, and retired founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Costa Mesa, CA. He is the author of Christianity Beyond Belief: Following Jesus for the Sake of Others, Giving Church Another Chance, The Outsider Interviews, The Accidental Anglican, Our Favorite Sins, Our Character at Work and Deep Peace. He writes a weekly newsletter, The Gospel of the Kingdom.