Paulsen was re-elected to the office of president at the 57th General Conference Session in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2000.

During this term, Paulsen's office was responsible for the initiation of such programs as "Go One Million", "Faith & Science Dialogues" and "Sow One Billion".

His term ended on 25 June 2010, when Ted N. C. Wilson was elected as president during the 59th General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia.

Paulsen also has a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.

[1] He has outlined "three people in particular... who have helped me along the way" – his mother, schoolteacher O. K. Naerland and "mentor" theologian Ted Heppenstall.