If a postulant must read for orders, the appropriate diocesen or provincal authorities should designate an official reading program. Areas that should be covered include philosophy; fundamental theology; philosophical anthropology; theological anthropology; christology; Old Testament (Pentateuch); Prophets; Poetical Books; Synpotic Gospels; Pauline literature; Catholic Epistles; ecclesiology; moral theology; philosophical ethics; social ethics; Greek; Latin; maybe Hebrew; Liturgy; Sacraments of Initiation; Eucharist; Orders; Penance and Annointing; Church History; and more.... There are too many to list.
They need to designate specific, in-print books. Sadly, many important Anglican books are out of print... such as Shepherd's Prayer Book Commmentary. So new books must either be used or written. Raymond Brown's "Introduction to the New Testament" is a great book to use, for example. I think reading Copleston's "History of Philosophy", or even Bertrand Russell's would be good - clergy need to be philosophically informed. All areas of systematics should be studied with reference to both the Church Fathers and modern scholarship. Wacko writers, such as feminist scholars, should be read as well.
The person reading for orders needs to have strong leadership throughout the process. His mentor must meet with him regularly and discuss the readings, ask various questions, assign papers, and so forth. And a regular schedule must be followed. The person reading for orders should do so within a timeframe, so that, like the person in a traditional seminary, he knows when he'll be finished his studies. People who read for orders are often very sincere, and pursue Holy Orders at great expense fo time and energy, so they should not be jerked around.
Indeed, reading for orders can be as complex for the candidate's mentor as it can be for the candidate himself! But it can be exciting too! A lot can be learned through theological discussions - sitting at a pub and discussing theology with someone who is very learned, for example.
