The Confessional Character of Anglicanism 

What does it mean that Anglicanism Is “Confessional”?

In the Parish of Holy Trinity, we stand in a rich Anglican heritage that is clear about what we believe and why we believe it.

Anglicanism isn’t vague, flexible, or whatever each parish feels like making it. Instead, Anglicanism is confessional—we openly and joyfully confess the faith once delivered to the saints.

A Shared Belief in the Gospel

Our unity is not built on style, preference, or tradition, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a church rooted in Scripture and shaped by the Reformation conviction that:

Christ alone saves,

by grace alone,

through faith alone,

revealed in Scripture alone,

for the glory of God alone.

Our Confession Is Written Down

Anglicans don’t hide what we believe—we publish it!

Our foundational confession is the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. These Articles guide our teaching and shape our life as disciples. They remind us that:

The Bible is God’s final authority.

Jesus is the only mediator and Saviour.

The sacraments point us to the gospel—not away from it.

The church exists to preach the Word and administer the sacraments faithfully.

Our Confession Shapes Our Worship

Our Prayer Book liturgy is soaked in Scripture and the gospel. Because we’re a confessional church, our services in the Parish of Holy Trinity aren’t random moments stitched together—they are ordered to:

Proclaim Christ clearly

Lead us to repentance and assurance

Form us as disciples who trust in the finished work of Jesus

Send us out to live for him in Launceston, Windermere, Evandale and Youngtown

Our Confession Serves Our Mission

Being a confessional church strengthens our mission in Tasmania.

When everyone knows what we believe, we can joyfully invite others to come and hear the good news. A clear confession builds a clear witness.

This aligns beautifully with our parish mission to "know Christ, grow in Christ and share Christ" and our diocesan vision to be “A Church for Tasmania, making disciples of Jesus.”

A confessional church is a disciple-making church.

In Short…

We confess Christ, we teach the Scriptures, and we shape our life together around the gospel.

That is authentic Anglicanism—and it is the heartbeat of the Parish of Holy Trinity. 

Yours in Christ,
Lee Shirvill

Senior Minister
Parish of Hoy Trinity
Four Centres - All One in Christ Jesus

1 December 2025