Patterson Sr., the five major departments of COGIC were united under an umbrella convention known as UNAC-5 (United National Auxiliary Convention). Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten Second Assistant Presiding Bishop (2021present) and board member (2012present). including information stored locally or on any other media connected to this system. The General Secretary - Just another Church Of God In Christ, Inc. site. They are the largest department in the COGIC. Today, the International Youth Department (IYD) is led by the International Youth President, Superintendent Nathaniel Green of Dallas, TX, and the International Chairlady, Evangelist Vandalyn Kennedy of Queens, NY. B. McEwen, came to a head and was addressed at the 57th Holy Convocation. [29], Bishop Charles E. Blake assumed leadership and was elected Presiding Bishop of the church after the death of Bishop G.E. The Holy Spirit is the agent that equips, empowers, leads, and guides the church until the return of Christ. Bishop Blake led COGIC through the death of G. E. Patterson while preparing the church for its 100th Holy Convocation; an important milestone for the church. There is a presiding bishop, known as the chief apostle of the church. COGIC believes, though, that even then in the case of saving the life of the mother, that abortion should still only be considered as a last resort, if all other options to help the mother and the unborn fetus have been thoroughly exhausted. Nevertheless, as time progressed in the 1950s and 60s, and as COGIC began to grow and became increasingly institutionalized as a denomination, several other churches and denominations began partnering up with COGIC's leaders to help advance the cause of Civil Rights for African Americans, most notably such as the National Baptist Convention, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and many other similar predominantly Black denominations as well. He re-ignited the church to be a flagship Pentecostal denomination. C. P. Jones and those Holiness leaders who did not embrace the Azusa Revival experience continued as Holiness churches. In 1945, Mason dedicated Mason Temple in Memphis as the church's national meeting site. Bishop John Drew Sheard Sr., who had previously been elected to the General Board in 2012 and 2016, was reelected to the General Board and subsequently elected as the current Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021, in the first-ever virtual online election for the denomination. During the 1930s and 40s, a white COGIC elder named James L. Delk who remained in the church after many whites had left, was very active in politics in Missouri and worked to promote civil rights by writing legislatures and petitioning the federal government on the behalf of COGIC. Bishop Charles H. McClelland Board member (2021present). Chairman of the Board of Bishops Bishop Albert Galbraith. He appointed regional presidents to serve as liaisons to the jurisdictional presidents. Other leaders of the Youth Department who leader became influential leaders of the church included: Bishop F.D. COGIC licensed female evangelists may also serve as chaplains in military, federal, state, and local institutions requiring chaplains. Please note: Fields with ( *) are required. In November 1975, at the National Holy Convocation in Memphis, TN., with the consent of the General Board, Bishop Carlis Moody Sr. of Evanston, Illinois, was appointed by Bishop J. O. Patterson to be president of the Department of Home and Foreign Missions. We believe that the regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation. [47], COGIC teaches that the church is the community of Christian believers who have accepted Jesus Christ and submit to his Lordship and authority in their lives. COGIC members gathered for praying, fasting, teaching, preaching, fellowship and conducting business related to the national COGIC organization. In 2000 at the Ninety-Third International Holy Convocation, the COGIC General Assembly elected Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson to replace Owens as Presiding Bishop. [27], Bishop James Oglethorpe Patterson Sr. was elected in November 1968 as the first presiding bishop of the church by the General Assembly at the Sixty-First Holy Convocation of the church. As the first elected presiding bishop, Bishop Patterson Sr. established the Charles Harrison Mason Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Pentecostals have been criticized because of their noticeable absence from the official record of activism that has been largely overshadowed by black ministers of other denominations such as Baptists and Methodists; however, there is evidence to verify and document the role and response of COGIC ministers and other Pentecostal denominations to the cause and struggle for Civil Rights in the United States during the 20th Century. However, the General Assembly vested authority in the executive board composed of the seven bishops selected by Bishop Mason before his death. Built in the 1940s during World War II, the nearly 4000-seat building was the largest church auditorium of any African-American religious group in the United States. Home; Secretaries Please click on the drop down tab. Chairlady, International Youth Department Evangelist Vandalyn Kennedy. Assistant Financial Secretary Bishop David A. Sanders. As COGIC has continued to grow, new departments, auxiliaries, and ministries have been established including the music department, the National Adjutancy, Men's Department, COGIC Charities, and Urban Initiatives to name a few. They exist primarily in the spiritual realm and are organized according to duty and function. The COGIC has always had a long history with Christian ecumenism, partnering up with and collaborating with other Christian churches and denominations for the purposes of advancing ministry and charity efforts, both in the United States, and globally in foreign countries as well. Bishop Carlis Moody immediately began to reorganize the Missions Department, giving new guidelines. Secretary of the Board of Bishops Bishop William Watson, III. The most active women's auxiliaries include: Missionary Circle, Hospitality, Executive Hospitality, Hulda Club, Wide Awake Band, Minister's Wives Circle, Deaconess, Deacon's Wives Circle, Prayer Warriors, Young Women's Christian Council, Usher Board, Educational Committee, Boy's League, Big Brothers, Cradle Roll, Women's Chorus, Board of Examiners, Public Relations, News Reporters and the Burners Home and Foreign Mission Bands. Bishop Mason appointed her as a young woman to be head of the small school in 1926, after she had been teaching there. Remarriage is highly discouraged, except in the case of the death of a spouse. Nurses Aid Ministry nurses taking their skills to the mission field. Then in 1946, the YPWW Department was combined with the Sunday School Department for joint conventions until 1951 when they were separated once again. forgot password WARNING!!! [29], Bishop Gilbert Earl (G. E.) Patterson began his ministry as co-pastor of the Holy Temple COGIC with his father, Bishop W. A. Patterson. Overseer E.R. COGIC teaches that because God uses conception through and after sexual reproduction and intercourse to create human life, that willfully aborting a human fetus is contrary to God's Word and Christian ethics, and it is considered to be a sin against God and the Bible within the denomination. Mother Deborah Mason Patterson#, daughter of founder, Bishop Mason and wife of first presiding bishop James O. Patterson Sr. Welcome to the home page of the General Board of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. When the COGIC was first founded by Bishop Mason in the 1910s, he wanted the denomination to have ecumenical relationships with other predominantly Black Methodist and Baptist churches, but many of them were unwilling to do so at the time because of Mason's controversial history with being expelled from his former Baptist ministry associations and churches in Mississippi for preaching sanctification and Pentecostalism. In April 2018, Bishop Blake led COGIC in partnership with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis to continue to struggle for civil rights in the 21st Century. Robinson was a staunch advocate for holiness and taught strict guidelines for the women with regard to dress and worldliness. COGIC theology and beliefs fall in the tradition of Wesleyan-Arminian theology.[40]. Upon his return to Jackson, Mississippi, Mason faced opposition when he recounted his experience. COGIC also teaches that all the spiritual gifts are for believers today. Green. These auxiliaries are found in nearly every church, district, and jurisdiction within COGIC and function to support the holistic approach that COGIC has toward ministry within the church and the larger community that COGIC congregations serve. COGIC became a major force in the collective Black Church and worldwide Pentecostal movement. The current Presiding Bishop is Bishop John Drew Sheard Sr., who is the Senior Pastor of the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ of Detroit, Michigan. Dress should be modest and business-formal. This seasonal period was selected because most of the COGIC members were farmers and were finished harvesting their crops around this time. The Office of the General Secretary is responsible for developing and maintaining data pertaining to the Church Of God In Christ and oversees the credentialing of those engaged in the ministry of the Church. C. P. Jones was elected the General Overseer, C. H. Mason was selected as Overseer of Tennessee, and J. According to Alex Haley, "He and his wife then received bomb threats at home and at church." Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Nate' M. Jefferson. During 1910-1913, two white ministers, Elder H. A. Goss and Elder Leonard P. Adams, were clergy under the authority of C. H. Mason. Mamie Till-Mobley was a member of St. Paul COGIC led by then Elder Louis Henry Ford (who would later become the presiding bishop of the denomination) officiated the service. COGIC continues to influence gospel music with a new generation of artists with COGIC roots that include: Kim Burrell, Ivan Powell, Doobie Powell, Kierra Sheard, J. Moss, Micah Stampley, Kurt Carr, Ricky Dillard, Kelly Price, Mary Mary Erica Campbell (musician) and Tina Campbell (musician), Tamela Mann, Dr. Gennie Ruth Cheatham Chandler, Earnest Pugh, Jonathan McReynolds, Jabari Johnson, DuShawn Washington, Instrumentalists: Dr. Vernard Johnson (saxophonist), Samuel Murrell (violinist) and Terrance Curry (trombonist), D'Extra Wiley (II D Extreme) and Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child). He continued to build on the department through expansion of the Regional Administration into 10 geographical locations across the country. According to a 2015 statistical study by the Pew Research Center, the denomination was estimated to have a United States membership of approximately 84% African-Americans, 5% White Americans, 8% Latino-Americans, and roughly 2% Asian-Americans. Clean White, Jurisdictional Bishop, Bermuda Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, National Evangelist, Recording Artist, Songwriter, Atlanta, Georgia, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 15:15. Their pastor was then elder Gilbert Earl Patterson, who also became a COGIC Presiding Bishop, at Holy Temple COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee. Malcolm X's Funeral was held in Harlem, New York City at Faith Temple Church Of God in Christ. The current president of the Missions Department is Bishop Vincent Mathews Jr. of South Africa. In 1992, during the Ford administration, UNAC was disbanded in favor of three separate conventions namely: the International Sunday School Convention, the MY Convention (Music and Youth) and the ME Convention (Missions and Evangelism) again meeting in separate cities.. The jurisdictional supervisor is assisted by district missionaries who oversee the women's ministry of the district. General Treasurer Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Patterson Sr.. Financial Secretary Bishop Frank A. According to the Church of God in Christ's official website, the role of the General Board, comprised of 12 bishops, is to establish and execute policies for the COGIC membership, as well as . William B. Holt was appointed as General Superintendent. On November 14, 1968, the General Assembly of the COGIC elected the first general board and presiding bishop of the church. Jones was acquainted with Seymour between 1895 and 1905, as Seymour's travels led him to many Holiness preachers such as John G. Lake and Martin Wells Knapp. The denomination considers these to be inconsistent with COGIC doctrine and teaching. The early conventions of the Evangelist Board were basically crusades led by Page and a few other Evangelists from across the country. He testified to receiving entire sanctification after reading her autobiography in 1893. COGIC became a staple of gospel music under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Dr. Mattie Moss Clark#, second and longest-serving president of Int'l. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Glenn Plummer. The legislative authority of the church is vested in a general assembly, composed of the members of the general board, jurisdictional/auxiliary bishops, jurisdictional supervisors, chaplains, pastors, ordained elders, four district missionaries and six lay members from each jurisdiction. [39], COGIC is a trinitarian Holiness Pentecostal denomination. Historically, women in ministry in COGIC are known as "Missionaries" and are designated in two categories: Deaconess Missionary, and Evangelist Missionary. Secretary of the National Judiciary Board Attorney Peter Davis. James Moore, Thomas Whitfield (singer), Deniece Williams, Hubert Powell, Donnie McClurkin, LaShun Pace, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Dr. Bettye Ransom Nelson, Bishop Richard "Mr. Clean" White, Bishop Paul S. Morton, The Clark Sisters: (Jacky Clark-Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark-Sheard). As COGIC continued to grow, the various departments began the practice of convening annually to conduct the business unique of their ministries. The judicial board serves as the judicial branch and is the supreme body that interprets polity and practice. In 1982 during the Seventy-Fifth Holy Convocation, the diamond jubilee of the church, COGIC published its own hymnal, Yes, Lord!, which included many arrangements and songs written by COGIC and African-American musicians and songwriters. He was denied such trial in 2016. COGIC teaches that according to the Word of God, there will be final events and conditions that address the end of this present age of the world. It has nine members, elected by the general assembly, including three bishops, three elders, and three lay members. Email: cogsecgeneral@churchofgod.org. The church believes that women are gifted and called to ministry; it does not, however, officially ordain women to the office of elder, pastor, or bishop. Military chaplains have also been instrumental in spreading COGIC through military installations. All charges against a Pastor or a local Church must be filed with the General Secretary, and the Jurisdictional Secretary. Demons exist as manifestation of evil or unclean spirits. Name * Email Address (UserID) * Create a Password * Confirm your Password * Birthday * Month: Day: Year: Gender * Male Female Jurisdiction * Church [9] This Holiness group/fellowship adopted the name Church of God in Christ, and COGIC began to develop congregations throughout the South. The fastest growing areas include Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, and India. Secretary of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Superintendent Prince W. Bryant, II. Bishop David A. YPWW became a distinctive trademark for COGIC and the principle training institute usually meeting on Sunday night prior to evening worship services. [8], In 1897, Elder Mason founded the St. Paul Church in Lexington, Mississippi, as the first church of the new movement. A. Jeter was selected as Overseer of Arkansas. On June 5, 1951, he selected Bishop A. We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. [58], Her successor, Lillian Brooks Coffey (19451964) was the organizer of the Women's International Convention to support the work of foreign missionaries. White. Vice chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Bishop Marcus Ways. A visionary, she spearheaded the establishment of the multi-million dollar Hale Morris Lewis Manor, a senior citizen complex in Los Angeles, CA. [43], COGIC teaches that man was created perfect and sinless in the image of God as a tripartite being having a body, soul, and spirit. [29] COGIC continued to grow and in 1973, the church claimed a worldwide membership of nearly three million. Carter was found in contempt of court for failing to obey the court order and was jailed until he removed all videos and agreed to comply. If you have any further questions, please contact Executive Secretary Sidney A. Buggs. It is one of the largest gathering of Christian women from any major denomination and religious organization. She also established the Mattie McGlothen Library and Museum in Richmond, California, as a resource for COGIC historical facts and memorabilia. They exist today as adversaries to the kingdom, purpose and will of God. The early pioneers of this newly formed Holiness-Pentecostal body in 1907 were E. R. Driver, J. Bowe, R. R. Booker, R. E. Hart, W. Welsh, A. Organized in the South and having a predominately African-American membership, COGIC has had a long history in advancing civil rights. National officers of the church are chosen at the general assembly every four years unless special elections are warranted. Jones Sr. was elected Senior Bishop by the General Assembly. Assistant Elect Lady, COGIC World Missions-Supervisor Lee E.Van Zandt. Elder Carter called for a Church trial before the COGIC General Assembly and Judicial Board according to the Constitution of the COGIC. He is also known for his aggressive initiative, "Save Africa's Children" which supports hundreds of African children who have been affected by HIV/AIDS in orphanages in several countries in Africa. Our Legacy According to the Articles of Religion, "We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved, but that we are baptized with the Holy Ghost because we are saved". The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a HolinessPentecostal Christian denomination,[2][4] and the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States. 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