I have had several questions as to how to become a chaplain even though I explain the process clearly on my Change Career With Purpose website. One individual who has written me several times as to the process for being a board certified chaplain (Association of Professional Chaplain certification).

I understand his frustrations with educational requirements for chaplaincy as well as his uncertainty as to what to do next. All I can do is share my story to chaplaincy and hope that he can experience God's leadership for his career as a chaplain.

"A Breakfast That Changed My Life"

Often people ask me how I became a health care chaplain. I tell the story of my change career journey into chaplaincy so that you might understand the chaplain employment process. Mine began with an invitation to have breakfast by a friend of mine. We met at a local Denny's for breakfast.

Our meeting would have huge implications in changing the direction of my career, becoming a "change career, with purpose" encounter.

We chatted for a few minutes catching up on each other's lives. We discovered that we lived 6 blocks from one another! It was in early January 2001 that he called me and said he must talk to me and that it was urgent.

Our meeting would impact my ministry career and would start me thinking about how to become a chaplain, lead me to a life changing chaplain training opportunity, resulting in people addressing me as Chaplain Paul as I began my chaplain career.

While eating breakfast, the following career changing conversation took place between him, my faith challenging friend, and me, the frustrated burned out
pastor:

Faith Challenging Friend: "Paul, I don't think I have ever told anyone this but I believe that God gave me a message to tell you. I have to admit that this is very unusual for me to do. But God has impressed upon me to give you a message and you can decide for yourself if it is from God or if I just had a bad dream."

Frustrated Burned Out Pastor: "Well you certainly have my attention and as long as it isn't a multi-marketing scheme, I am very curious to hear what it is."

Faith Challenging Friend: "Have you ever considered Chaplaincy as a ministry option for your life?"

Frustrated Burned Out Pastor: "I have never even considered becoming a professional chaplain, but just you asking the question begins to make sense out of a lot of events and experiences in my life."

My wife: "I see chaplaincy as a perfect fit for you, your personality, and your ministry style."

His wife: "Paul, let me share with you that becoming a chaplain has been the best ministry career path I have taken. It all begins with Clinical Pastoral Education. . .

Well I will let you finish the story by clicking on this link:
How to become a chaplain and chaplain training were on the chaplain career menu

But if anyone invites you for breakfast, say "yes". It may just change the direction of your career and bring great joy to your life.

Onward with purpose,

Chaplain Paul Slater