Chaplain Update

I am beginning to make more detailed plans regarding my goal of Chaplaincy. Part of my planning involves finding out more information on what I need to be doing, and what I will need to do in preparation for becoming a Chaplain. The short list includes:

• Complete an undergraduate degree
• Complete 72 hours of Seminary (90 preferred but not required by the EFCA)
• Complete two years of practical ministerial experience
• Ecclesiastical Accreditation (Approval and recommendation from the EFCA)

The two degrees will be ok, although if I do the 90 hours, I may try to accomplish the extra hours after reaching active duty. The actual ordination does not occur until three years after licensed by the EFCA to become a Chaplain, so if my tuition assistance runs out, I may have no choice on the matter anyways unless I go into some debt.

The two years of practical experience will be difficult to say the least. While in seminary, I will need to attend an EFCA church and talk to my pastor about the possibilities. Perhaps I could do something at my current church, but its unique (and small) make-up makes that kind of opportunity scarce at  best, especially with the schedule I have here. At least at seminary, my schedule will not have to conform to evening band practices! The Ecclesiastical Accreditation will be more simple than some of the other prerequisites, so long as I do all of its prerequisites as well.