• acquiring a better understanding of the church and its ministry needs
• learning what it means to be a minister
• doing the work of Christ in the church and in the world
• being more fully equipped to lead others in exploring and using their spiritual gifts

William J. Carter, a retired ordained minister of The United Methodist Church, leads numerous retreats for local church staffs and Bible study sessions throughout the Southeast. His ministry career includes 28 years as a pastor of local churches in the Holston Conference (Tennessee) and service as director of the Holston Conference Council on Ministries.