Imagine you are a newcomer to the Anglican Church. The people are friendly, worship is inspiring, there is a great sense of community, and there are a myriad of opportunities for ministry, but you still feel a bit like an outsider.
Let’s face it, there’s a lot to learn when it comes to liturgy and practices; such as when to sit, stand, kneel, how to receive the Eucharist, etc. Then, there are the “secret codes”! What may seem commonplace to most congregations can unintentionally alienate visitors and even baffle the average person in the pews. If you fall into either category read on and I will demystify and decode some common terminology, titles, and those many… many acronyms.
Incumbent: a priest to whom the bishop has designated the care of a parish; aka Rector.
Licensed Lay Minister: an authorized layperson licensed by the bishop to lead public worship, preach, administer reserved sacrament, and provide pastoral care
Verger: a lay minister who manages the logistics of worship services and maintains the church property; uncommon in most parishes today, but may be found in large urban parishes and cathedrals
Wardens: lay-officers who partner with the incumbent to manage the parish’s day-to-day operations, finances, and physical properties
Parish Council: the elected leadership body that manages a congregation’s operations, finances, and ministry vision
Diocese: a regional group of parishes, led by a bishop, that functions as the core structural unit of the church. We live in the Diocese of Kootenay.
Synod: the chief governing and legislative body of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Alongside Hope: formerly known as the “Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund” (PWRDF).
Primate: The Most Reverend – the national leader of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Archbishop: The Most Reverend – a regional leader with the title of “Metropolitan” holding responsibilities for provincial oversight.
Bishop: The Right Reverend – the chief pastor, teacher, and administrator of a diocese.
Dean: The Very Reverend – the head of a cathedral.
Archdeacon: The Venerable – the primary administrative and pastoral assistant to the diocesan bishop
Canon: an honorary title given to a senior priest in recognition of dedicated service
Priest: The Reverend – leads worship, teaches the faith, and provides pastoral care in a parish
Curate: The Reverend – a newly ordained assistant priest or deacon who serves as an apprentice under a senior priest.
Deacon: The Reverend – an ordained minister called to a specific ministry of servanthood, acting as a bridge between the church and the wider world.
ABC: Anglican Book Centre – produces and sells bibles, other books, and worship resources online.
ACC : Anglican Church of Canada
ACIP: Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples.
ACPO: Advisory Committee on Postulants for Ordination – the national discernment process that evaluates candidates seeking the priesthood.
ACW: Anglican Church Women – an organization that has traditionally supported missions, plans charity events, and raises funds for the church; much less common as in the past.
AFC: Anglican Foundation of Canada – funds ministry and infrastructure projects.
BAS: Book of Alternative Services (1985) – the primary contemporary worship and prayer book of the Anglican Church of Canada, replacing the BCP.
BCP: Book of Common Prayer (1962) – the official traditional worship and devotional book of the Anglican Church of Canada, still used in some parishes.
CoN: Council of the North – a coalition of financially supported northern and remote dioceses.
CP: Common Praise (1998) – the official, most widely used hymnal of the Anglican Church of Canada
EFM: Education for Ministry – a four-year distance-learning theology and faith formation program for laypeople, run by the Anglican Church.
ELCIC: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, a full communion partner with the Anglican Church of Canada.
HoB: House of Bishops.
LARC: Lutheran Anglican Refugee Committee – an ecumenical ministry in the Okanagan where churches partner to sponsor and settle refugee families.
LLM: Licensed Lay Minister.
SNC: Sing a New Creation (2022) – hymnal supplement to Common Praise.
UCC: United Church of Canada.
WCC: World Council of Churches.
If church leaders can resist the temptation of using liturgical shorthand when making announcements and preparing prayers. This will go a long way to ensure everyone attending services will feel included.
