Church of England

===Worship and liturgy===
[[File:Rochester cathedral stained glass 2.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.8|Stained glass window in [[Rochester Cathedral]], Kent]]

In 1604, [[James VI and I|James&nbsp;I]] ordered an English language translation of the Bible known as the [[King James Version]], which was published in 1611 and authorised for use in parishes, although it was not an "official" version per se.{{Sfn|Cowart |Knappen|2007|p=?}} The Church of England's official book of liturgy as established in English Law is the [[Book of Common Prayer (1662)|1662 version of the ''Book of Common Prayer'']] (BCP). In the year 2000, the General Synod approved a modern [[liturgical book]], ''[[Common Worship]]'', which can be used as an alternative to the BCP. Like its predecessor, the 1980 ''[[Alternative Service Book]]'', it differs from the ''Book of Common Prayer'' in providing a range of alternative services, mostly in modern language, although it does include some BCP-based forms as well, for example Order Two for Holy Communion. (This is a revision of the BCP service, altering some words and allowing the insertion of some other liturgical texts such as the ''[[Agnus Dei (liturgy)|Agnus Dei]]'' before communion.) The Order One rite follows the pattern of more modern liturgical scholarship.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

The liturgies are organised according to the traditional [[liturgical year]] and the [[Calendar of saints (Church of England)|calendar of saints]]. The [[Anglican sacraments|sacraments]] of [[baptism]] and the [[eucharist]] are generally thought necessary to salvation. [[Infant baptism]] is practised. At a later age, individuals baptised as infants receive [[confirmation]] by a bishop, at which time they reaffirm the baptismal promises made by their parents or sponsors. The eucharist, consecrated by a thanksgiving prayer including Christ's [[Words of Institution]], is believed to be "a memorial of Christ's once-for-all redemptive acts in which Christ is objectively present and effectually received in faith".{{sfn|Shepherd, Jr.|Martin|2005|p=350}}

The use of hymns and [[Anglican church music|music in the Church of England]] has changed dramatically over the centuries. Traditional [[Evening Prayer (Anglican)|Choral evensong]] is a staple of most cathedrals. The style of [[psalm]] chanting harks back to the Church of England's pre-reformation roots. During the 18th century, clergy such as [[Charles Wesley]] introduced their own styles of worship with poetic hymns.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC – Religions – Christianity: Charles Wesley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/people/charleswesley_1.shtml|access-date=27 January 2021|website=BBC|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In the latter half of the 20th century, the influence of the [[Charismatic Movement]] significantly altered the worship traditions of numerous Church of England parishes, primarily affecting those of [[evangelical]] persuasion. These churches now adopt a [[contemporary worship]] form of service, with minimal liturgical or ritual elements, and incorporating [[contemporary worship music]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Charismatic Invasion of Anglicanism? {{!}} Dale M. Coulter |url=https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2014/01/neither-an-invasion-nor-surprising-lambeth-palace-chemin-neuf-and-anglican-charismatics |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=First Things |date=7 January 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

Just as the Church of England has a large conservative or "traditionalist" wing, it also has many [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] members and clergy. Approximately one third of clergy "doubt or disbelieve in the physical resurrection".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1403106/One-third-of-clergy-do-not-believe-in-the-Resurrection.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1403106/One-third-of-clergy-do-not-believe-in-the-Resurrection.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=One third of clergy do not believe in the Resurrection|last=Petre|first=Jonathan|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=1 May 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Others, such as [[Giles Fraser]], a contributor to ''The Guardian'', have argued for an allegorical interpretation of the [[virgin birth of Jesus]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/24/story-virgin-birth-christianity-mary-sex-femininity|title=The story of the virgin birth runs against the grain of Christianity|date=24 December 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref> ''The Independent'' reported in 2014 that, according to a YouGov survey of Church of England clergy, "as many as 16 per cent are unclear about God and two per cent think it is no more than a human construct."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/survey-finds-2-of-anglican-priests-are-not-believers-9821899.html|title=Survey finds 2 per cent of Anglican priests are not believers|date=27 October 2014|website=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=1 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/5f5s31fk47/Results-for-Anglican-Clergy-Survey-08092014.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223094747/http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/5f5s31fk47/Results-for-Anglican-Clergy-Survey-08092014.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2015 |url-status=live|title=YouGov / University of Lancaster and Westminster Faith Debates|date=23 October 2014|website=YouGov|language=en-GB|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> Moreover, many congregations are seeker-friendly environments. For example, one report from the [[Church Mission Society]] suggested that the church open up "a pagan church where Christianity [is] very much in the centre" to reach out to spiritual people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10133906/Church-of-England-creating-pagan-church-to-recruit-members.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10133906/Church-of-England-creating-pagan-church-to-recruit-members.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Church of England creating 'pagan church' to recruit members|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=1 May 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The Church of England is launching a project on "gendered language" in Spring 2023 in efforts to "study the ways in which God is referred to and addressed in liturgy and worship".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Is God They/Them? Church of England considers gender-neutral pronouns. |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/08/god-gender-neutral-church-of-england/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>