The Anglican way of Christian living and worship is wide enough to include people at different stages on their journey of faith and it does not require people to sign up to closely defined statements of belief. It has supported and encouraged people in the exercise of their faith over the years - indeed centuries.
Ancient cathedrals and traditional forms of worship (even in contemporary language) show us that the work of the Holy Spirit did not come to an end after the events of the New Testament. We stand on the shoulders of many generations of believers. Anglicans recognise that these include mediaeval saints like Aidan and Hilda, people of prayer and poets like Julian of Norwich and George Herbert, political activists and social reformers like William Wilberforce and Josephine Butler. People like them have contributed to our Anglican heritage.
Features like set liturgies, government by bishops and synods, well-loved prayers and hymns provide a structure in which Anglican variety can exist. They are like the walls of a house that shelters family members of different ages and with different opinions about all sorts of things.
Jesus was born into a human family and spent his adult ministry in the company of a very mixed group of followers. Theologians call this "incarnation". This means that God was in carnis - flesh or body. (See the article by Hector Davie in the December magazine.) Anglicans tend to stress the importance of the incarnation, in particular its community or family aspects. We are part of our family of parents, siblings, children etc. But we are also part of the family of the church congregation we belong to and, through them, of the family of the Diocese and the wider Church. Anglicans also tend to think of the Church as being "incarnated" in the fabric of society, and there for everyone, whether members or not. They share this view with other historic and national churches.
Basically, then, what is special about being an Anglican is that we benefit from a rich Christian heritage. We are willing to share this with anyone who cares to come alongside us. It may not be the latest thing but it has stood the test of time and we are happy to call it home.
PMP