bcp
I firmly believe parish ministry remains the way for the Church of England to fulfil its historic calling to be a Christian presence in every community and believe that traditional Anglican and eucharistic worship, both Common Worship and BCP is at the heart of this.
At school, I fell in love with BCP Choral Evensong – a love I hope to pass on to my own daughters, who now sing in Birmingham Cathedral Girls’ Choir.
I grew up with the ASB (I discovered the beauty of the BCP later in life), Anglican Psalter chanting, and a committed church community influenced by the charismatic renewal.
If labels must be attached, I’d say I’m Charismatic Evangelical, but I’m Charismatic Evangelical at BCP as much as I am elsewhere.
• Churchwarden at a BCP
Mission in a changing cultural context The Book of Common Prayer The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) remains the official doctrinal standard of the Church of England, and has shaped the theology and spirituality of Anglicanism for over 450 years.
A lifelong devotee of the BCP, I have been encouraged and heartened to see a renewal of interest in it in recent years.
I have witnessed this in my own church—St Michael at the North Gate, a BCP church in central Oxford— where the congregation has markedly both increased in numbers and decreased in average age, and I am committed to promoting the use of the BCP within the ‘mixed ecology’ of worship. ‘No’ to Project Spire The Church of England seems determined to press ahead with Project Spire—its £100 million ‘reparative justice initiative’ to atone for its claimed profit from the transatlantic slave trade over 300 years ago—amidst ongoing wrangling about whether the Church Commissioners’ funds can legally be used in that way.
For five years I led around half our Sunday services and continue to lead services regularly, as well as establishing new services ranging from a growing monthly BCP Evensong to ‘Well-Oiled Lamp’ services for young families.
Although I am most at home in a charismatic evangelical style of worship I meet God in all styles, and it has been a joy to spend more time in choral BCP worship as part of this relationship.
I believe that the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion hold a central place of importance within the Church of England and to this end Holy Communion from the BCP takes place monthly at St Mary’s.
– A General Thanksgiving, BCP
I am a member of the Prayer Book Society, and value both the BCP and King James’ Bible.
The BCP has profoundly shaped Anglican theology, spirituality and worship for more than four centuries, and I want that inheritance to continue to enrich the Church.
From messy church to robed choir BCP, I have loved being involved in every part of our worship and seeing how these different styles all praise God in different ways.
I enjoy both the traditional BCP liturgy as well as more contemporary expressions of worship.
Not everyone will want to use the BCP, but it is important that provision is made so that it is still regularly used in worship, so that others may continue to be surprised by joy in a liturgy that they never thought would bring them closer to God.
Today, although HTC is my home, I still love the 8am BCP service and often attend Westminster Abbey.
The second church is smaller with a greater sense of parish identity, and our mission being to share God’s love with all those around us in our geographical area, seeking to be available for occasional offices, as well as having a presence in our local school – and we love our BCP Choral Evensong!