Ordained into the ministry of The United Methodist Church, Dr. Carothers served pastorates in Colorado, Vermont and New York. In 1964, he was elected Associate General Secretary and the chief administrative executive of National Ministries of the General Board of Global Ministries. In this capacity he established the Methodist Urban Service Training program (MUST) which prepared clergy and laity for the tasks of ministry in changing urban communities. In 1970, he became the executive director of a United States Task Force on the Future of Mankind and the Role of the Churches, a project jointly sponsored by the National Council of Churches and Union Theological Seminary of New York.

In 1972, Dr. Carothers retired to teach, write and serve as a consultant on ethical issues related to corporate policy and the welfare of the family. He was an adjunct professor of Contemporary Ministry at Drew University School of Theology between 1972 and 1977. He also taught in the Iliff School of Theology during summer terms and lectured at pastors schools throughout the nation.

A avid reader and productive writer, Dr. Carothers has authored more than 200 articles and seven books. His study of national welfare policy and Christian responsibility entitled Keepers of the Poor was among the most widely circulated of the denominational mission study books. This was followed by Churches and Cruelty Systems which was used in ecumenical studies. Other mission study texts included The Pusher and Puller: A Concept of God, Caring for the World, and Living with the Parables.

For twelve years, Dr. Carothers wrote a monthly five page report on recently published books on Christian theology with a special interest in the emergence of new forms of Christian thought from around the world. It was distributed through the office of the General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries.

From 1945 until 1965, Dr. Carothers was a member of the Department of the Church and Economic Life of the National Council of Churches during which he was drafting editor of major policy documents on labor issues. He served on the General Board of the National Council of Churches from 1964 through 1972 and headed a special delegation of specialists to meet with all sides of the Paris delegations of the Vietnam war.

Dr. Carothers has remained a pastor. In his lecturing and teaching relationships while holding a church executive office, he stresses his conviction that the pastoral vocation is the most difficult and rewarding of all church vocations. His ministry has always sought a balance between personal religious experience and social obligations of Christian living.

For his strong pastoral and evangelical convictions, able executive management of mission programs, distinctly ecumenical spirit, keen analysis of the impact of social and economic systems upon human life, compelling Christian conscience directing the church to responsible actions and prolific writings interpreting gospel and culture, the Frank Mason North Award is presented to Dr. J. Edward Carothers.