In 1895, C.P. Jones and C.H. Mason were licensed Baptist ministers in Mississippi who began teaching and preaching a Wesleyan doctrine of Christian perfection or entire sanctification as a second work of grace to their Baptist congregations. The current General Supervisor of Women is Dr. Barbara McCoo Lewis of Los Angeles, California. Since 2007, Ebony has recognized Bishop Blake annually, as one of its 100+ most influential African Americans. This list may not reflect recent changes . The general secretary, general treasurer, and financial secretary terms run concurrent with the current presidential administration that is elected every four years.[20]. 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. It ultimately ended by 1930, when the Depression set in. Church Of God In Christ, Inc. 2015-23. 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.. Organized in the South and having a predominately African-American membership, COGIC has had a long history in advancing civil rights. 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. As a result, the general board exercises great authority over the church. Jones Sr. was elected Senior Bishop by the General Assembly. [44], COGIC teaches that salvation is the work of redemption to the sinner and his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. At the 1907 COGIC Convocation held in Jackson, a separation occurred among Jones and other leaders in the church because of such disagreements. In 1918, COGIC opened its first institution of higher learning, the Saints Industrial and Literary School in Lexington, Mississippi, for both girls and boys. 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. Owens outlined a progressive plan to position the COGIC for ministry in the twenty-first century, known as "Vision 2000 and Beyond." Their pastor was then elder Gilbert Earl Patterson, who also became a COGIC Presiding Bishop, at Holy Temple COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee. He is known to many as being an eloquent, compassionate and practical leader, as well as a humanitarian and an advocate with a God-given gift for ministering to the whole man. The three-year initiative would also help encourage COGIC clergy to use their missions and charity ministries in local churches to help offer aid and assistance to African-Americans and people of other ethnic minorities, and people of low incomes in local communities who are considering and contemplating abortion and offer aid and assistance to people dealing with economic and medical issues from pregnancy. Vice Chairman of the Board of Bishops Bishop Roger L. Jones. Other leaders of the Youth Department who leader became influential leaders of the church included: Bishop F.D. Mrs. Mattie McCaulley of Tulsa, Oklahoma was the first to respond, and was sent to Trinidad. Her life story led many African-Americans into the Holiness movement, including Mason. He became a Christian and converted to Pentecostal Christianity as a young adolescent, under the ministry of his mother and father in Arkansas, and he and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was in his 20's when his father was asked to take over as a bishop of the First Jurisdiction of Southern California for the COGIC denomination. Vice chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Bishop Marcus Ways.
Church of God in Christ names Detroit's Bishop J. Drew Sheard new Jesse Jackson was invited to speak during the COGIC International Holy Convocation when he was running for the presidency.
Succession of COGIC Leaders He protested during the 1950s and 1960s against lodging segregation in Memphis, while participating in COGIC Holy Convocations there during the Civil Rights era before federal laws prohibiting such segregation. 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. Supervisor Irene Oakley#, pastor, supervisor, bishop's wife, Mother Louise Patterson, evangelist, former first lady and wife of G.E. Presiding Bishop Emeritus of the Church of God in Christ, Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, "COGIC Re-Elects Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. as Leader - Afro", "PRESS RELEASE: Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. Will Not Seek Reelection", "Why the Power of the Black Church Matters This Election", "Whitehouse.gov - Inaugural Advisory Council: Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships", Succession of Church of God in Christ Leaders, Historically African-American Christian denominations, First African Baptist Church (Richmond, Virginia), First African Baptist Church (Savannah, Georgia). Adjutant General Bishop Dickerson L. S. Wells Sr.. General Supervisor, Department of Women Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis. The Holy Spirit is the agent that equips, empowers, leads, and guides the church until the return of Christ. 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. This came on the heels of former Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr.'s October 2020 announcement that he would not seek reelection. Charles Blake was born on August 5, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Bishop Junious Augustus (J. Evangelist Missionaries are licensed to preach the gospel, conduct gospel meetings, and may be given the oversight of local congregations serving as the church administrator. He is credited with systematically restructuring church departments and ministries, expanding the church in Asia, primarily India and the Philippines, and placing the COGIC on a solid financial status. "[91] Bishop Blake apologized to a young man (Andrew C. Caldwell) who, following Superintendent Carter's message, came forward to proclaim that he had been delivered from homosexuality. In 1988, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Church. On February 21, 1965, when Malcolm X was assassinated and the family needed a place for his funeral, no major black church or facility would open their doors for the service. We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer. All rights reserved. COGIC has always been traditionally anti-abortion. [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. The pair modeled the pastor and wife ministry team in COGIC. Evangelist Goldia Haynes, Elder Utah Smith, Madame Earnestine Washington, and Marion Williams continued COGIC's influence throughout the fifties and sixties. Ford, as Saints' Academy, a private co-educational grade school. Deaconess Missionaries serve and assist in the ceremonial and temporal affairs of the local church. 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. [35], In 2016, the Church had 5.5 million members in 60 countries around the world. In 1982, he was selected by Ebony magazine as one of the 15 "Greatest Preachers in America". Mason. Today the International Women's Convention/Crusade meets annually in May in different cities throughout the nation drawing thousands of women from around the world. World headquarters are in Memphis, Tennessee at Mason Temple. Drew Sheard was born on January 1, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, to Bishop and Mrs. John Henry Sheard. Upon his return to Jackson, Mississippi, Mason faced opposition when he recounted his experience. [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. "[90] This excerpt of Elder Carter's sermon went viral throughout social media and was picked up by major television news broadcasts. Bishop Sheard has over 30 years of leadership in the Church of God in Christ. He was a speaker at the Democratic National Conventions first Ecumenical Service where he eloquently, challenged all to protect the unborn by advocating pro-life. Rev. Presiding Bishop J. Bishop Patterson was also to date the youngest person to ever be elected presiding bishop of COGIC at the age of 56; the second youngest was his nephew Gilbert Earl (G.E.) Under her leadership and tenure, COGIC choirs and individual singers came to dominate gospel music producing a number of recordings and gospel hits. This endorsement allows female chaplains who are serving in the military, working in an institution or jails to perform religious services including funerals and weddings. The school enjoyed its greatest growth and success under the leadership of Dr. Arenia Conella Mallory (19041977). 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. The study also found that over 70% of COGIC members overwhelmingly opposed the legalizing of same-sex marriage, and considered relationships from infidelity, polygamy, polyamory, and sex outside of marriage as sinful and unbiblical as well.[56]. 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. Coffey also began the use of the title "Jurisdictional Supervisor" for state mothers as more jurisdictions were forming in each state.[59]. He accepted his call into the ministry in 1956. They are the largest department in the COGIC. Factions developed within the organization as both the senior bishop and Bishop A. In 1915, after years of court litigation over the name of the organization and use of the name "Church of God in Christ" by the two groups; Mason's group was granted the use of the name and Jones's group organized a legally chartered Holiness body called the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A.[14], After moving to Memphis, Tennessee, Bishop Mason established a local congregation called Temple COGIC. Each jurisdictional bishop appoints a jurisdictional supervisor to lead the work of the women on a jurisdictional level. [29] Former International Music Department President Professor Iris Stevenson-McCullough (originally from Rochester, NY) is a major influence in the gospel music industry around the world. Other accolades include the Distinguished Leadership Award from the African Presidential Archives and. During the current administration of Presiding Bishop Charles Blake, COGIC unveiled its Urban Initiatives Program to provide 60,000 programs nationwide through its more than 12,000 congregations to continue to promote the work of civil rights, and to reduce poverty, crime and violence, etc. In Chicago, Ford organized voter registration initiatives.
BISHOP CHARLES E. BLAKE, SR. - Church Of God In Christ Bishop Blake is an ardent advocate of education and academic excellence, who holds multiple academic and honorary degrees, from various educational institutions. Salvation is an operation of the Holy Spirit upon sinners brought about by repentance toward God, which brings about conversion, faith, justification, and regeneration. The early conventions of the Evangelist Board were basically crusades led by Page and a few other Evangelists from across the country. From the very beginning of gospel music, COGIC members have influenced its rise. [96][97][98][99], This article is about the Holiness Pentecostal denomination. In November 2012, Bishop Blake was re-elected again to serve a four-year term as the Presiding Bishop. All officers are elected by the General Assembly. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels Board member (2008present). He testified to receiving entire sanctification after reading her autobiography in 1893. Patterson, former presiding bishop of the Church of God In Christ.. Founder 1907-1961* Senior Bishop & Chief Apostle Charles Harrison Mason: . 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. Save Africa's Children, a program of PACF, currently provides support to over 220 charity missions and orphanages throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Known for the achievements of her students and school alumni, she had also served during these years, by invitation and appointment, on national federal commissions and with noted African-American women's groups. Bishop Blake said, "The Church of God in Christ does not compromise its stance against homosexuality as the Word of God condemns it as sin, but "this preacher's" (referring to Earl Carter) comments were unacceptably offensive and uncalled for, and will not be tolerated by the Church of God in Christ or its leadership. 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. [13], Although the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) began earlier, it is still the case that in 1907, with ten congregations, The Church of God in Christ became the first legally chartered Pentecostal body incorporated in the United States. William B. Holt was appointed as General Superintendent. 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), She is also the Jurisdictional Supervisor for the First Jurisdiction, Southern California. Mother Deborah Mason Patterson#, daughter of founder, Bishop Mason and wife of first presiding bishop James O. Patterson Sr. 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. COGIC does not teach that Spirit baptism is the same as salvation.
Bishop Mason: Founder of largest Pentecostal denomination - NBC News COGIC policies and bylaws have also been established regarding sexual misconduct of COGIC clergy and laymembers for disciplinary purposes. General Secretary Bishop Joel H. Lyles Jr.. Chairman of the General Assembly Bishop Lemuel F. Thuston. 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. 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. Church mothers have historically served as the leader of the women's ministries in the local congregations. 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. Pages in category "Presiding Bishops of the Church of God in Christ". She established a high school and gained accreditation for it, and then for the junior college which she founded on campus. COGIC licensed female evangelists may also serve as chaplains in military, federal, state, and local institutions requiring chaplains. 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 ", 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". However, he said in his remarks that he did not want to use the word "retirement" as he said, "he would still be worshiping and fellowshiping with the saints of God in worship services, and that he would still be around for anyone who needs pastoral and fatherly counseling, prayer, and mentorship,"but added that he would no longer be carrying out his official duties as senior pastor of the church, and that he would "continue to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and serve the ministries of West Angeles however the Lord leads me and however you all may need me as the Lord sees fit and allows me to live on, so consider myself as semi-retired."[sic]. Assistant Secretary of the Board of Bishops Bishop Adrian Williams. Drew Sheard who was elected in 2021. From 1985 to 2009, he maintained the position of Prelate for the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of California, where he was responsible for overseeing over 250 churches. In 1982 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in . In 1976, under the leadership of Bishop J.O. It was destroyed by fire in 1936. Jurisdictions are set up similar to the national church in terms of composition, polity, and procedure.
Presiding bishop - Wikipedia Despite what seems to be obvious limitations to minister because of ordination, women have been given great latitude and numerous opportunities to serve in ministry in COGIC. [29] The spread of COGIC was due largely to the efforts of its evangelists through crusades and revivals. He was denied such trial in 2016. Her predecessor was Evangelist Dr. Rita Womack of Los Angeles, California.
Memphis' Bishop Brandon Porter open to becoming COGIC presiding bishop 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. Remarriage is usually highly discouraged, except in the case of the death of a spouse or former spouse. During the 1950s and 60s, during the height of the civil rights movement, COGIC ministers and congregations played host to many significant events. This seasonal period was selected because most of the COGIC members were farmers and were finished harvesting their crops around this time. Adelle M. Banks. According to the Articles of Religion in the COGIC Official Manual, COGIC believes in biblical inspiration and holds that the Bible is the supreme and final authority for doctrine and practice. Under her leadership, the Women's International Convention added the term "and Crusade" to highlight and promote the evangelistic approach of the convention. Recognizing the significance of women to the ministry, COGIC has created numerous positions that allow women to work as counterparts to the department presidents as chair ladies (YPWW) and Elect ladies (Evangelism). Women in COGIC have been influential in the leadership and organization of the church since its inception. Together they traveled across the country proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1955, Emmett Till's funeral was held at Robert's Temple Church Of God in Christ in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Drew Sheard was appointed Superintendent of the Emmanuel District, by Bishop Herbert J. Williams, Sr., Prelate of the North Central Michigan Jurisdiction. Mrs. Anna Broy Crockett Ford was the first organizer and director of the National Music Department, which was formally established in November 1949. 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. [9] This Holiness group/fellowship adopted the name Church of God in Christ, and COGIC began to develop congregations throughout the South. In 1968, Two sanitation workers who were also COGIC members, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death in a garbage compactor where they were taking shelter from the rain. Chairlady, International Youth Department Evangelist Vandalyn Kennedy. President, International Department of Missions Bishop Vincent Matthews Jr.. This office is reserved for a woman who serves as counterpart to the Sunday School Superintendent. Chairman of the National Judiciary Board Bishop Martin Luther Johnson. 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). President Moody also added these ministries to the Missions Department:[62].
Category : Presiding Bishops of the Church of God in Christ The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and is part of a consortium of the Interdenominational Theological Center. In 1982, Patterson led COGIC in its Diamond Jubilee, in a celebration of the International Holy Convocation. He began production of the YPWW Quarterly Topics to train the youth of the COGIC in the faith, doctrine, and polity of the church. He was succeeded by Bishop Joe L. Ealy. "[92], Elder Carter was attempting to address members of COGIC as to sexual misconduct, and specifically, homosexual practices. He gave the eulogy for Till at Robert's Temple COGIC in 1955. In 2010 Superintendent J. 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. They rejected denominational names such as Baptist, Methodist, or Episcopal. YPWW became a distinctive trademark for COGIC and the principle training institute usually meeting on Sunday night prior to evening worship services. As the first elected presiding bishop, Bishop Patterson Sr. established the Charles Harrison Mason Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. Second Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Attorney Amos Smith. Bishop. He was pastor of the Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the Presiding Prelate of the Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction. His passion for meeting the needs of the whole man reaches globally through his humanitarian efforts.
The Church of God in Christ elects Bishop J. Drew Sheard as its new [29], Bishop Louis Henry Ford of Chicago, Illinois, was elected after the death of J.O. Dr. Roy L.H. General Treasurer Bishop Charles Harrison Mason Patterson Sr.. Financial Secretary Bishop Frank A. A. Blackwell, E. M. Blackwell, E. M. Page, R. H. I. Clark, D. J. (Young People Willing Workers), and Missions and Evangelism. The court ordered the church to convene a constitutional convention in February 1968. Originally, this gathering of the 'Saints' lasted for twenty days, from November 25 to December 14. Timothy Wright, Myrna Summers, Rev. He served faithfully as an Ordained Deacon, the Sunday School Superintendent and the Guitarist. Bishop Owens led the COGIC in its centennial celebration in 1997 with the theme, "Holiness, a Proven Foundation for a Promising Future!"