In response to a recent message, I typed out what I thought would be helpful distinctions of historic Anglican “brands.” Brands is the wrong word, but I don’t know exactly how to describe the variety of intellectual schools within our tradition. Overall, I find these labels unhelpful, yet they continue to be used. I find it more important to find a bishop you can obey with your whole conscience and serve in a church where you are using your gifts – which may cause you to dip a toe in more than one camp during various seasons of your life and ministry.

I have intentionally chosen to ignore (or try to explain) the “Affirming” or “Convergence/Three-Streams” brands here:

Anglo-Papist

Taking primary cues from post-tridentine Rome (Catholic Ordinariate, Ritualists) e.g. Gregory Dix, Henry Manning, Ronald Knox, Cardinal Newman, Bishop Lopes, Mariolatry, Eucharistic adoration.

Anglo-Catholic

Pairing Pre-Reformation Ritual/Ceremony to Prayerbook Liturgy (Missal Anglicans and 2nd Gen. Oxford Mov.,) Real Presence and Frequent Communion, 7 Sacraments, 7 Ecumenical Councils. Look to the 1549 BCP. e.g. Arthur Tooth & SSC, Bishop Grafton, Chausables, Incense, G3 Churches of the Continuum.

High Church

Typically Erastian; Favors Sarum/English-Use in Ceremonial and conformity to the 1662 BCP/Formularies. Often Associated with Abp. Laud, Charles I, and original Oxford leaders (Pusey, John Keble) and later in Percy Deamer, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Warham Guild,

Low Church

Following the Reformed Prayerbook of 1552/1559 in their Edwardian sense. Opposed to eucharistic ceremonial customs (chasubles, incense, surplices). Associated with Northside celebration and Evangelical theology (Reformed/Calvinistic tendencies) in their interpretation of the 39 Articles. E.g. Abp. Matthew Parker, Charles Simeon, JC Ryle, JI Packer