ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some aspects of the new, emerging suppositions in ordination training that are now becoming primary and prevalent in the Church of England, and the wider Anglican Communion. Setting the agenda for theological education by casting its role and identity as 'training for mission' will lead to narrow forms of ecclesiology, and, ultimately, disaster. That said, theological education and formation for ministry has normative sources of authority that need appropriate attention, respect, and in context, reverence and awe. Theological education and formation - in both its highly formed and rather unformed states - prepares the minister for this world, and this type of occupation. This is an uncommon occupation, to be sure, but one that comes only from the deepest sense of vocation; and that profound and humbling wisdom that calls us to be perpetually renewed before the face of Christ.
