The first youth leader on a national level was Elder M.C. The Ecclesiastical Jurisdictional Pastors and Elders Council is the gate way to the COGIC Judicial system. For the Anabaptist denomination, see, The official seal of the COGIC features a sheaf of wheat representing the members of the COGIC. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Nate' M. Jefferson. Bishop David A. Bishop Prince E. W. Bryant Sr. Board member (2021present). [20], The first national tabernacle was built and completed in 1925. We believe in the Blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return. A visionary, she spearheaded the establishment of the multi-million dollar Hale Morris Lewis Manor, a senior citizen complex in Los Angeles, CA. 11 were here. Mother Rivers also began the "49 and Under" to enlist and focus the younger women of COGIC to remain committed to the doctrine and teachings of the church. She was greatly interested in the building of Mason Temple and she kept her national building fund drives functioning until she knew the building was ready for dedication. [29] She is also the Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for the South Carolina Jurisdiction. The church is thought to have nearly two million members in 7,000 churches on the continent of Africa. [29] In 1926, upon the recommendation of Mother Lizzie Roberson, Elder C. G. Brown of Kansas City Missouri, was appointed the first Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Home and Foreign Missions Department by Bishop C. H. Mason. They rejected denominational names such as Baptist, Methodist, or Episcopal. Chairman of the Board of Bishops Bishop Albert Galbraith. B. McEwen made conflicting administrative and executive decisions. Bishop Mason appointed her as a young woman to be head of the small school in 1926, after she had been teaching there. [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. He is credited with helping to secure the steel needed to construct Mason Temple which was virtually impossible during World War II.[52]. "[50][51] COGIC also encourages mothers that if they know they will not be able to provide proper care to their child, they should seek assistance to give the child up for either private adoption, legal adoption through domestic or international adoption agencies, or foster care. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Supervisor Sideary King. Office of the Secretariat members: Missionary Marcia Black-Watson, Jurisdictional Secretary Together they traveled across the country proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Coffey also began the use of the title "Jurisdictional Supervisor" for state mothers as more jurisdictions were forming in each state.[59]. In 1981, Bishop J.O. However, in 1996, the umbrella format was revised under the administration of Bishop C.D. 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. Their pastor was then elder Gilbert Earl Patterson, who also became a COGIC Presiding Bishop, at Holy Temple COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee. The presiding bishop is part of a general board, consisting of eleven other bishops elected by a general assembly consisting of pastors, elders, chaplains, bishops, missionaries, supervisors, and designated lay delegates. [5] Although an international and multi-ethnic religious organization, it has a predominantly African-American membership based within the United States. Throughout the dispute, Elder Carter made allegations against Bishop Blake for impropriety, sexual misconduct, and abuse of power as presiding bishop. These offices are found in every local, district, and jurisdiction to support development and growth of the Sunday School. William B. Holt was appointed as General Superintendent. 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. Music Dept. Mrs. Mattie McCaulley of Tulsa, Oklahoma was the first to respond, and was sent to Trinidad. During 1910-1913, two white ministers, Elder H. A. Goss and Elder Leonard P. Adams, were clergy under the authority of C. H. Mason. During 19101913, two white ministers, Elder H. A. Goss and Elder Leonard P. Adams, were clergy under the authority of C. H. Mason. All charges against a Pastor or a local Church must be filed with the General Secretary, and the Jurisdictional Secretary. Patterson, who became presiding bishop in 2000 at the age of 60. They were also instrumental in establishing 75 churches across the nation. As has been stated, COGIC does not ordain women as elder or bishop, however, COGIC would not have become the largest predominately African-American Pentecostal church in the world, nor have the largest Women's convention of any major denomination without the contributions of women. The current chairman of AIM is Bishop Linwood E. Dillard of Memphis, TN.[62]. Mother Lillian Coffey appointed Mother Reatha Herndon as president of the National Women's Evangelist Board in 1951. After being ejected for accepting these new Pentecostal teachings, Mason called a meeting in Memphis later in the year and reorganized the Church of God in Christ as a Holiness-Pentecostal body. Mrs. Anna Broy Crockett Ford was the first organizer and director of the National Music Department, which was formally established in November 1949. A general supervisor of women is appointed by the presiding bishop and given authority to lead the International Women's Ministry of the church. He re-ignited the church to be a flagship Pentecostal denomination. Bishop Joel H. Lyle Jr. General Secretary Church of God in Christ, Inc. 930 Mason Street Memphis, Tennessee 38126 We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. The judicial board serves as the judicial branch and is the supreme body that interprets polity and practice. Well-known gospel musicians with COGIC roots include; Andrae Crouch and Sandra Crouch, Walter Hawkins and Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Rubenstein McClure, Yvette Flunder, Sara Jordan Powell, Daryl Coley, BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Winans, "Detroit" Gary Wiggins, John P. Kee, The O'Neal Twins, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Rance Allen, Rev. All rights reserved. Divorce is considered inconsistent with biblical teachings and is highly discouraged as well, but exceptions are made for special circumstances. Mother Willie Mae Rivers served faithfully for 20 years as General Mother until 2017 and the age of 91. Office of the General Secretary Office of the General Secretary Church Of God In Christ | Memphis TN She developed the role of the State Minister of Music and traveled the world conducting seminars and workshops perfecting the quality of choir music, their performance, appearance and demeanor, and the COGIC sound. 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. OTHER COGIC clergy are allowed to be married. C. P. Jones and those Holiness leaders who did not embrace the Azusa Revival experience continued as Holiness churches. Elder Carter called for a Church trial before the COGIC General Assembly and Judicial Board according to the Constitution of the COGIC. Bishop Brandon B. Porter Secretary to the General Board (2021present) and board member (2012present). They exist primarily in the spiritual realm and are organized according to duty and function. YPWW became a distinctive trademark for COGIC and the principle training institute usually meeting on Sunday night prior to evening worship services. As COGIC continued to grow, the various departments began the practice of convening annually to conduct the business unique of their ministries. Ford was pastor of the St. Paul COGIC in Chicago and was Presiding Prelate of the Historic Illinois First Jurisdiction. The general assembly elects a 12-person general board (presidium) every four years from the college of bishops, who serve functionally as apostles of the church. To be consistent with progressive measures and modernization, in the Nineties, the international church along with many local COGIC churches began to use the term "youth department" instead of "YPWW. " In 1945, Mason dedicated Mason Temple in Memphis as the church's national meeting site. He called for an annual gathering of COGIC members, known as the "International Holy Convocation", to be held in Memphis. Driver, who was the overseer of California and pastor of the Saints Home COGIC led an interracial congregation made up of many Blacks, Whites, and Latinos, for many years. Jurisdictions range in size between 30 and 100 churches. This office is reserved for a woman who serves as counterpart to the Sunday School Superintendent. On April 3, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I've Been To The Mountaintop" speech, at Mason Temple Church Of God in Christ in Memphis. She served as chairperson of the board of supervisors, member, Executive Board, member, Screening Committee, member, Program Committee General Church, coordinator, Leadership Conference, International Marshall, secretary, and Assistant General Supervisor for the Department of Women. After being removed from the office of Senior Bishop, he remained the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until his death in 1972. [15], COGIC originated among African Americans in the Southern states of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Youth on a Mission (YOAM) a ministry of young people visiting the mission field to serve each summer. In 2010, Bishop Blake led more than 50,000 delegates to the 103rd International Holy Convocation to St. Louis, Missouri. This group of seven bishops became known officially as the executive commission; they took on greater responsibility over church affairs until Mason's death. She began women's work on the state level and appointed the first state mothers. B. McEwen, Bishop J. S. Bailey, and Bishop O. M. Kelly as his assistants. Coffey was a child convert to COGIC under the preaching of Bishop Mason, and was influential in organizing many of the auxiliaries, bands, and units that exist within the COGIC Women's Department. 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. He was a strong advocate for social justice. Secretary of the Board of Bishops Bishop William Watson, III. Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Bishop Dwight E. Walls Sr.. First Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Superintendent Melton Timmons. In addition, the Office of the General Secretary is an integral part of all ceremonial activities, inaugurals, celebrations and ecumenical services. Treasurer of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Pastor William Ward. C. D. Owens had gained national attention in the church as the president of the Youth Department. Vice Chairman of the General Assembly Bishop Jerry W. Maynard. The result of sin is the depravity of man, broken communion with God, shame and guilt, and physical and spiritual death. Co Directors of the Men's Department Bishop Michael B. The Church may search and retrieve any information stored within this system. [29], Bishop Charles E. Blake assumed leadership and was elected Presiding Bishop of the church after the death of Bishop G.E. His dream was to establish an international ministry complex known as "Saints Center" and an accredited institution known as "All Saints University". Pastor Dennis Martin and Superintendent Willie James Campbell succeeded Bishop White as presidents. Pentecostals have been known and continue to be known for their lively worship, exuberant expressions of praise and worship, and musical compilations, mostly relying on congregational singing of hymns and chants. President, International Youth Department Superintendent Nathaniel Green. Malcolm X's Funeral was held in Harlem, New York City at Faith Temple Church Of God in Christ. Home; Secretaries Please click on the drop down tab. Patterson, the nephew of the above-mentioned Bishop J.O. Some pastor's wives have served as pastor of congregations usually after the death of a pastor sometimes serving under the title of "shepherdess, shepherd mother, or church administrator. COGIC clergy are also allowed to be married. However, his out-spoken criticism of the racial prejudice and discrimination of whites led most, if not all of them, to leave his church for other ministries where the message against racism was not so obvious and offensive to them. As the International Holy Convocation grew to thousands, COGIC leaders had to negotiate with city officials to provide hotel accommodations for the saints. There are more than 200 ecclesiastical jurisdictions around the world, with 170 in the United States. Factions developed within the organization as both the senior bishop and Bishop A. The son-in-law of Bishop Mason, J. O. Patterson Sr., had served the church previously as a member of the executive board and as executive secretary. Mitchell#, national evangelist, pastor, St. Andrew, Denton, TX, Carlis L. Moody#, foreign missionary, jurisdictional bishop emeritus, Germany Jurisdiction; pastor, Faith Temple, Evanston, IL, Eugene Franklin Rivers, political activist, pastor, Azusa Christian Community, Boston, MA, William Roberts#, jurisdictional bishop, Illinois First Jurisdiction, pastor, Robert's Temple, Chicago, IL, John Drew Sheard, general board member, jurisdictional bishop, Michigan North Central Jurisdiction; pastor, Greater Emmanuel Institutional, Detroit, MI, Nathan Simmons#, national evangelist, pastor, Citadel of Hope Evangelistic, Atlanta, GA, Robert James Ward#, jurisdictional bishop, Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction; pastor, Historic Kennerly Temple, St. Louis, MO, Wyoming Wells#, jurisdictional bishop, Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction; pastor, Well's Memorial, Greensboro, NC; Well's Chapel, Greenville, NC, Frank Otha White#, General Board Member, Jurisdictional Bishop, New York Eastern Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction; Pastor, Zion Cathedral, Freeport, NY, David Lawrence Williams Sr.#, general board member, jurisdictional bishop, Virginia Second Jurisdiction; pastor, Mason Memorial, Norfolk, VA, Levi Edgar Willis#, radio and television personality, jurisdictional bishop, Virginia Third Jurisdiction; pastor, Garden of Prayer Temple, Norfolk, VA, Roy Lawrence Hailey Winbush#, general board member, jurisdictional bishop, Louisiana First Jurisdiction; pastor, Gethsemane, Lafayette, LA, Bishop Richard Mr. Ministry of the Historic Illinois first Jurisdiction Temple church of God in.. 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