Guiding and nurturing ministerial candidates, church professionals, and individuals from a number of denominations through the process of career and life planning.
About Ministry Development Services
Mission Statement
Ministry Development Services is an ecumenical service whose mission is to strengthen, care and nurture the growth of ministry leadership, church professionals, congregations, and lay individuals through the process of career and life planning. Our tenured team of psychologists are skilled in ministerial leadership.
About Ministry Development Services
Ministry Development Services has provided vocational counseling and assessment programs in congregational leadership, conflict resolution, boundaries and self-care since 1965.
Ministry Development Services is accredited by the Ministry Development Council.
Our Staff
John Arey
Doctor of Ministry
Dr. Arey received his Doctor of Ministry at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, and completed his undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his clinical training at the School of Pastoral Care at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Dr. Arey is a Certified Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor. He holds credentials as a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and is a Diplomate in the American Psychotherapeutic Association. He is an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Arey has worked with Ministry Development Services since 2007.
Jonathan Golden
Ph.D.
Dr. Golden has a MS and Ph.D. in pastoral counseling from Loyola College in Maryland (Baltimore), an MA in Culture and Spirituality from Holy Names College in Oakland, CA, and an MDiv from Duke Divinity School. He completed his undergraduate work at Duke University, graduating with honors. Clinical training experience includes work at Hospice of the Chesapeake Bereavement Center (Millersville, MD), the College of Notre Dame Counseling Center (Baltimore, MD), and Towson University Counseling Center (Towson, MD). Dr. Golden is a North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, the North Carolina Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society). He is also an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Golden has worked with Ministry Development Services since 2007.
Lenore Wilkinson
Ph.D.
Lenore Wilkinson, Ph.D earned her doctorate in Clinical-Community Psychology from Yale University in 1988. She is a certified coach for ministers and is trained as a facilitator for Healthy Congregations. She is a life-long Lutheran and has served the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA as a board member for Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas, on the Specialized Pastoral Care committee. Dr. Wilkinson has worked with Ministry Development Services since 1999.
William Butler
Executive Director
Bill graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling. He has an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. His previous work experience includes positions with Novant Health and Travelers Insurance. Bill’s clinical graduate training includes work at Sardis Oaks rehabilitation facility and Forest Hill Church care and counseling center. As the director of MDS Bill seeks to provide an enriching experience for all those who allow MDS to assist them in answering their call from God.
Rev. Katherine Sherrill Batas
M.A., LCMHC, MT-BC
Katherine is a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). She is also a Board Certified-Music Therapist (MT-BC) and an ordained deacon in full connection in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Katherine holds an advanced certificate in Self Psychology and Religion from the Center of Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago and a level 2 trained clinician in Brainspotting.
Katherine received her Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree at Appalachian State University. Katherine completed her clinical counseling training at The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago and clinical pastoral education at UNC Rex Hospital. Katherine began at MDS in 2024.
Beverly Martin
Administrative Assistant
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