Over the last decade, ministerial formation has become one of the important issues in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. It forms part of every diocesan Synod and has been prominent at recent synods of bishops. Ministerial formation is a continuation of the discernment of a call by God to the prospective clergy to serve in the capacity of ordained minister. The local church, together with the necessary support processes and structures, helps the bishop to discern a call in a person.

Ministerial formation for the ordained ministry involves spiritual formation, academic study and practical preparation for parish ministry. Spiritual formation takes place primarily in the residential college and to a lesser extent through congregational formation. Prayer, worship and participation in the sacraments form an important part of this aspect of formation. Academic study refers to deep critical reflection on God and God's dealings with creation. This usually involves formal study of theology at an academic institution. This aspect of formation is common among theologians whose vocation is to teach at universities or other theological institutions and ordained ministers involved in research. Practical preparation for parish ministry refers to the acquiring of skills such as preaching, counselling and pastoral care for effective ministry. This involves a combination of theoretical and practical training. This takes place at parish level and culminates at the college or university where orthodoxy meets orthopraxis. All three aspects of formation are interrelated and of equal importance. However, not all three aspects can be fully acquired at local parish level, residential college or universities.

As ministerial formation is a lifelong process, spiritual, academic and practical preparation is part of the ongoing formation. At different stages of the process, different aspects take preference, but effective ministry in the Church and the world demands reasonable expertise in all three areas. The extensive period for ministerial formation before ordination leaves scope for a solid foundation for further development. When considered for the ordained ministry the candidate's journey is mapped out from baptism and the skills acquired are taken into consideration in the discernment process. During this stage the parish is the most important stage for formation. This stage normally lasts until the person attends formal theological training at a college or university.