Battles served as president until his death in December 1996. 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. In looking to COGIC'S future, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., senior pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, announced last year that he would not seek-re-election . [50], In July 2016 during their annual Auxiliaries in Ministries convention, COGIC announced their Urban Initiative Outreach ministries and Missions and Charity departments would be partnering up with The Human Coalition, an anti-abortion advocacy group, from 2016 to 2019 for a three-year initiative to encourage COGIC pastors and ministers to encourage anti-abortion advocacy in their local churches. Military chaplains have also been instrumental in spreading COGIC through military installations. Blake was the fifth Presiding Bishop (and seventh leader) of the historically African-American denomination from 2007 to 2021. [23][24] After Mason's death, in accordance with the 1952 church constitution, the control of the church reverted to the COGIC Board of Bishops. Overseer E.R. In his first year as Presiding Bishop in 2021, in order to combat debt that the church had accrued from previous years, Bishop Sheard helped to launch the "I Love My Church" Initiative, which was a massive fundraising campaign that helped the COGIC denomination to pay off much of its debts, renovate and refurbish its headquarters church, Mason Temple, establish housing complexes for low-income families throughout Shelby County, Tennessee near the church's headquarters, and purchased a former Catholic nunnery convent in Memphis to provide housing for single mothers affected by health challenges, disabilities, teen pregnancies, and domestic violence. A new constitution and official manual of the church were completed in 1973. Ford was pastor of the St. Paul COGIC in Chicago and was Presiding Prelate of the Historic Illinois First Jurisdiction. For many years, West Angeles has been one of the fastest growing churches in the United States and remains the largest COGIC local congregation with a membership of 25,000. During his administration, Battles organized Regions to oversee evangelistic ministry in various regional areas across the country. [53], In 1965, during the March to Selma, a young COGIC minister Charles E. Blake, (previous COGIC Presiding Bishop) was studying at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA. Presiding Bishop J. Her predecessor was Evangelist Dr. Rita Womack of Los Angeles, California. Bishop Charles H. McClelland Board member (2021present). Elder Carter called for a Church trial before the COGIC General Assembly and Judicial Board according to the Constitution of the COGIC. As African Americans migrated north and west to industrial cities during the Great Migration, he began to establish COGIC churches in the north and, especially after 1940, in the west. Humanity can only be restored through salvation offered only through Jesus Christ. [2][4] The church teaches three separate and distinct works of grace that God performs in the life of believers: salvation, entire sanctification, and the baptism or infilling of the Holy Ghost. The pair modeled the pastor and wife ministry team in COGIC. The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is the chief ecumenical officer of the church, and the leader and caretaker for the bishops of the synods. Supervisor Irene Oakley#, pastor, supervisor, bishop's wife, Mother Louise Patterson, evangelist, former first lady and wife of G.E. They are the largest department in the COGIC. He was officially installed as the senior pastor of the church the following year in 1970. In 1964 however, disagreement between the authority of the Senior Bishop and the executive board, led by Bishop A. C. P. Jones was elected the General Overseer, C. H. Mason was selected as Overseer of Tennessee, and J. She is also the Jurisdictional Supervisor for the First Jurisdiction, Southern California. Jurisdictions are set up similar to the national church in terms of composition, polity, and procedure. He was succeeded by Bishop Joe L. Ealy. Bishop Jerry W. Macklin First Assistant Presiding Bishop (2021present) and board member (2004present). "Bishop Mason was one who lifted African Americans who were former slaves and the children of slaves, lifted them up from the degradation of slavery, ex-slavery, the brokenness of poverty,". World headquarters are in Memphis, Tennessee at Mason Temple. Nevertheless, women are licensed in COGIC to proclaim the gospel as evangelists. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Glenn Plummer. Bishop Mason taught COGIC members against going to war, but more so he was against African-American men being called to fight a war overseas for freedom and then coming home and being treated as second-class citizens and being lynched, even in their uniforms, because of racism. Amen. Bishop Patterson was the second youngest person to ever be elected Presiding Bishop of COGIC at the age 60 in 2000, second to his uncle, Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. who was 56 when he was elected Presiding Bishop in 1968. It believes that the gifts of the Spirit are given to believers and are active in the church today. Among those who died after reportedly contracting the virus were: First Assistant Presiding Bishop Phillip A. Brooks, a preacher, and leader from Detroit who was No. After the death of Mother McGlothen, Mother Emma F. Crouch (19941997) of Dallas, Texas, served as the fifth General Supervisor. His dream was to establish an international ministry complex known as "Saints Center" and an accredited institution known as "All Saints University". Second Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Attorney Amos Smith. She led its expansion and emphasized high academic standards, disciplined behavior, and prayer. In 1988, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Church. All rights reserved. According to Alex Haley, "He and his wife then received bomb threats at home and at church." It has nine members, elected by the general assembly, including three bishops, three elders, and three lay members. There are more than 200 ecclesiastical jurisdictions around the world, with 170 in the United States. Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. is the fifth Presiding Bishop and the seventh leader in succession, appointed in November 2007 by the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ. [15], COGIC originated among African Americans in the Southern states of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. COGIC theology and beliefs fall in the tradition of Wesleyan-Arminian theology.[40]. She also established a musical program. The church has more than 3,000 churches in Asia, and 2,000 churches in the Caribbean and South America. Bishop Mason was opposed to the ordination of women to formal ministry, but in 1911 created an autonomous department to promote the ministry of women in the church. They rejected denominational names such as Baptist, Methodist, or Episcopal. March 22, 2021. [22], The years of 19621968 has been described as a "Dark Period" in the history of the Church of God in Christ, because there was polarization and conflict in leadership following the death of the founder. [33] In 2009, Bishop Blake unveiled an aggressive program known as "Urban Initiatives" to address the plight of America's urban areas. Research Center at Boston University, the Greenlining Institutes Big Heart Award, a Trumpet Award, and the Urban Leagues Whitney M. Young award, among many others. Jesse Jackson was invited to speak during the COGIC International Holy Convocation when he was running for the presidency. A. 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. Bishop John Drew Sheard is Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., one of the largest African American Pentecostal denominations in the United States with 12,000 churches in over 112 countries. Bishop Owens led the COGIC in its centennial celebration in 1997 with the theme, "Holiness, a Proven Foundation for a Promising Future!" He served on the trustee board for 12 years and has served on the general board for eight years. COGIC teaches the deity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, sinless life, physical death, burial, resurrection, ascension and visible return to the earth. Secretary of the National Board of Trustees Dr. T. Lynn Smith. J. O. Patterson Sr. was the Presiding Bishop at that time. 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". [9] This Holiness group/fellowship adopted the name Church of God in Christ, and COGIC began to develop congregations throughout the South. He was elected as the denomination's leader on March 27, 2021. Herndon and her twin sister Leatha were pioneers of the evangelistic work of the Church of God in Christ. Superintendent, International Sunday School Department Superintendent Mark Ellis. In addition to the general board, there is a board of bishops that is composed of all jurisdictional and auxiliary bishops, a national trustee board that is composed of 15 members who are elected for a term of four years, the General Council of Pastors and Elders, which is open to any officially recognized pastor and current credentialed ordained elder in the church. Winbush was selected to serve as the first chairman. Bishop Mason appointed her as a young woman to be head of the small school in 1926, after she had been teaching there. The constitutional convention drafted and approved a new constitution which dissolved both the office of the Senior Bishop and the executive board; it also established the General Assembly, which meets biannually, as the supreme authority over the church to decide matters of faith and practice. Jurisdictions range in size between 30 and 100 churches. As Senior Pastor of the 26,000 member, West Angeles Church of God In Christ in Los Angeles, California, Bishop Blakes leadership is positively impacting lives and enhancing the community through the work of the many ministries offered. At the start of the new millennium, then COGIC presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, continued to support the advancement of civil rights. He was also a member of the General Board, the twelve head religious and executive leaders and head bishops of the COGIC denomination from 1988 until 2021. The first meeting was held in Memphis, Tennessee around 1937. Deaconess Missionaries serve and assist in the ceremonial and temporal affairs of the local church. Student Aid a ministry of support to foreign students. After graduating from high school, he matriculated to Wayne State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Education degree in mathematics. He re-ignited the church to be a flagship Pentecostal denomination. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Professor L. W. Lee (19081916). In a November 2007 special election, he was elected to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor as Presiding Bishop. 2 in the denomination and whose death was reported by The Detroit News; Bishop Timothy Scott, a leader for nearly 50 years of the denomination in Mississippi whose death was reported 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. Dr. Valerie Daniels Carter, entrepreneur, Jurisdictional Supervisor, Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole, International Elect Lady of Evangelism Dept., international evangelist. Drew Sheard is a former public-school teacher. Pastor Dennis Martin and Superintendent Willie James Campbell succeeded Bishop White as presidents. Born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 2, 1931, Bishop Owens started preaching as a young child. We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling a Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in the present world. We believe in the Blessed Hope, which is the rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return. On October 23, 2020, Bishop Blake announced that he would not seek a re-election as Presiding Bishop nor as a member of the General Board and that he would retire from the Office of Presiding Bishop and from the General Board in 2021. 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. The jurisdictional supervisor is assisted by district missionaries who oversee the women's ministry of the district. 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. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels Board member (2008present). [8], In 1897, Elder Mason founded the St. Paul Church in Lexington, Mississippi, as the first church of the new movement. The presidium includes a separately elected international presiding bishop by the general assembly who serves a term of four years, who, then appoints two assistant presiding bishops. [31], Bishop Ford also renovated several COGIC structures in Memphis, including Mason Temple. African-American parents sent their children to this school from across the United States, especially those who had grown up in Mississippi and knew its reputation. Bishop John Drew Sheard is Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., one of the largest African American Pentecostal denominations in the United States with 12,000 churches in over 112 countries. One of her contributions was to divide the women's fellowship in the local congregations into two groups: The Christian Women's Council for the middle aged and senior women, and the Young Women's Christian Council (YWCC) for the younger women. Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Presiding Bishop Emeritus of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the largest Black Christian denomination in the country with a membership of 6.5 million, and an international statesman and humanitarian, has been named to the National Advisory Panel of The PuLSE Institute (Institute for Public Leadership and Social Equity), 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. The denomination teaches that God gives life to human beings, biologically and spiritually, through the moment of conception in the womb of the mother, using Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 1:2627, and Psalms 139:1316 as their scriptural basis for this belief. The general secretary, general treasurer, and financial secretary terms run concurrent with the current presidential administration that is elected every four years.[20]. ", COGIC teaches that sanctification is a continuous operation of the Holy Spirit, by which he "delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works". The current presiding bishop and chief apostle is Bishop J. During the tenure of Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. as Presiding Bishop in the 1970s and 80s, Bishop Patterson established several interdenominational Christian schools and seminaries, and helped to establish the World Fellowship of Black Pentecostal Churches and gained COGIC membership in the Congress of National Black Churches as well, a national caucus of Black church denominations that represent different denominations and organizations of the Black Church in America. The YPWW department began in 1928 with the convening of its first Youth Congress. In 1984 and 1988 respectively, Rev. The ordinances of the church are water baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper and foot washing. In 1996, the then Elder J. Three years later on October 12, 1955, he added three more bishops to the hierarchy: Bishop U. E. Miller, Bishop S. M. Crouch, and Bishop O. T. Jones Sr. F or the first time, the nation's largest Pentecostal and African-American denomination, the 5.5 million-member Church of God in Christ (COGIC), has voted out its presiding bishop. It had a membership of more than 400,000, who supported more than 4,000 churches. Originally, this gathering of the 'Saints' lasted for twenty days, from November 25 to December 14. In 1988, after a thirteen-year exodus from COGIC, Bishop G. E. Patterson returned as the founding Prelate of the newly formed Tennessee Fourth Jurisdiction. President, International Department of Missions Bishop Vincent Matthews Jr.. Mother Willie Mae Rivers (19972017) of Goose Creek, South Carolina, succeeded Mother Crouch. 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 became nationally recognized in 1955 for officiating at the funeral of 15-year-old Emmett Till, who was brutally murdered in Mississippi. After the death of Bishop Mason, he assumed leadership as the Senior Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the agent that equips, empowers, leads, and guides the church until the return of Christ. By 1906, the church had grown to nearly 100 congregations in three states. 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.
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