The Presiding Bishop is the both the President and the CEO of the corporation, the other eleven members complete the Board of Directors. But during the early twentieth century, the Pentecostal movement had rapid growth nationally and attracted racially integrated congregants to its worship services. Complete biographical information will be added to this page soon. 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. 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. [29] COGIC continued to grow and in 1973, the church claimed a worldwide membership of nearly three million. forgot password WARNING!!! The General Secretary - Just another Church Of God In Christ, Inc. site. 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). Under her leadership and tenure, COGIC choirs and individual singers came to dominate gospel music producing a number of recordings and gospel hits. retrieve any information stored within this system. "[92], Elder Carter was attempting to address members of COGIC as to sexual misconduct, and specifically, homosexual practices. 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. During the 1940s and 50s, Bishop Mason often invited the white elected officials of the city of Memphis to the International Holy Convocation on Civic Night. In 1955, Emmett Till's funeral was held at Robert's Temple Church Of God in Christ in Chicago, Illinois. ", Elder Carter said that such public rebuke and condemnation were unwarranted, as he was not given a chance to say why he had made such statements. [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. Assistant Financial Secretary Bishop David A. Sanders. Patterson Sr. in 1989. [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. Sin was transmitted to humanity when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, as a result all men have original sin. 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. During 1910-1913, two white ministers, Elder H. A. Goss and Elder Leonard P. Adams, were clergy under the authority of C. H. Mason. Hall Sr. Board member (2021present). 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.. Her life story led many African-Americans into the Holiness movement, including Mason. forgot password WARNING!!! [20], The first national tabernacle was built and completed in 1925. As a Pentecostal church, COGIC teaches that when one is baptized in the Holy Spirit, the believer will experience an initial evidence of speaking in tongues (glossolalia) by the will of God. She has previously served on the Women's advisory board, Executive Board, steering committee Women's International Convention, General Supervisor's Regional Representative (West Coast Region of the United States), member of the Program Committee then chairperson, Chairperson Special Convention Assistance Committee, National Leadership Conference and Women's Convention Leadership Conference, International Marshall and Assistant General Supervisor. Throughout the dispute, Elder Carter made allegations against Bishop Blake for impropriety, sexual misconduct, and abuse of power as presiding bishop. Home; Secretaries Please click on the drop down tab. Churches are organized in dioceses called jurisdictions, each under the authority of a bishop. She established new auxiliaries including the International Hospitality Unit, the Educational and Bishop's Wives Scholarship funds, WE-12 and Lavender Ladies. Herndon and her twin sister Leatha were pioneers of the evangelistic work of the Church of God in Christ. [39], COGIC is a trinitarian Holiness Pentecostal denomination. He led a group of students to participate in the March on Selma. 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. His pastor and mentor was Bishop F. D. Washington of Brooklyn, NY. Login ::: Church Of God In Christ ARC Portal ::: Log-in to your ARC account. The international membership of COGIC is estimated be between one and three million adherents. In addition, the Office of the General Secretary is an integral part of all ceremonial activities, inaugurals, celebrations and ecumenical services. As Pentecostals, the Church believes that demons can be subdued and subjugated through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. She built a home for missionaries in the Bahamas, a pavilion for senior citizens and unwed mothers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Each jurisdictional bishop appoints a jurisdictional supervisor to lead the work of the women on a jurisdictional level. 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. She established a high school and gained accreditation for it, and then for the junior college which she founded on campus. Jurisdictions are set up similar to the national church in terms of composition, polity, and procedure. The COGIC emphasized the use of the choir as an integral part of the worship experience. We hope you enjoy learning more about the Church leadership and the important role they have in leading God's people. Pastor Dennis Martin and Superintendent Willie James Campbell succeeded Bishop White as presidents. By that time, it was known as Saints Academy and Junior College. Evangelist Goldia Haynes, Elder Utah Smith, Madame Earnestine Washington, and Marion Williams continued COGIC's influence throughout the fifties and sixties. 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. Southern California Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. [33] In 2009, Bishop Blake unveiled an aggressive program known as "Urban Initiatives" to address the plight of America's urban areas. The Chairman of the Board of Bishops, CC it to both the Board of Bishop's Secretary and the Chairman of the Grievance Committee. 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. Bishop Mason appointed her as a young woman to be head of the small school in 1926, after she had been teaching there. In 2000 at the Ninety-Third International Holy Convocation, the COGIC General Assembly elected Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson to replace Owens as Presiding Bishop. [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. On the local church level in addition to the office of missionary, COGIC developed and has maintained the position of the "church mother." The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a Holiness - Pentecostal Christian denomination, [1] [2] with a predominantly African-American membership. 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. Golden Jr. The current leader of the International Music Department is recording artist Dr. Myron Williams, succeeding Dr. Judith Christie McAllister of Los Angeles, California, who is also a praise and worship national recording artist. Holy Temple COGIC was the first church to open its doors to the garbage workers. Many mainline denominations and countless nondenominational churches that once rejected these beliefs and practices have adopted these distinctions in their worship liturgy and lifestyle practices. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Professor L. W. Lee (19081916). Lizzie Woods Robinson (19111945) was the first "General Mother" of the church. As previously stated, COGIC although predominately black, had a significant white membership during its first decade of existence, with a number of white ministers holding leadership positions in the church. Gary Lewis was elected to the post of Secretary General on July 29, 2022 at the Church of God International General Assembly in San Antonio, Texas. 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. 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. She also established the Mattie McGlothen Library and Museum in Richmond, California, as a resource for COGIC historical facts and memorabilia. Bishop Prince E. W. Bryant Sr. 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. COGIC became a staple of gospel music under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. As the first elected presiding bishop, Bishop Patterson Sr. established the Charles Harrison Mason Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Later, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, ironically known as the "godmother of Rock and Roll," expanded and highlighted the COGIC sound to the greater American public in the 1930s and 1940s. Church mothers have historically served as the leader of the women's ministries in the local congregations. Furthermore, the new constitution created the office of the presiding bishop and a general board of twelve bishops and defined their responsibilities. Historically, women in ministry in COGIC are known as "Missionaries" and are designated in two categories: Deaconess Missionary, and Evangelist Missionary. Patterson Sr., the five major departments of COGIC were united under an umbrella convention known as UNAC-5 (United National Auxiliary Convention). Coffey also began the use of the title "Jurisdictional Supervisor" for state mothers as more jurisdictions were forming in each state.[59]. Bishop Elijah Hankerson III - Board member (2021present), Bishop Charles E. Blake Presiding Bishop Emeritus. They are the largest department in the COGIC. The Church may search and COGIC clergy do not officially sanction or recognize same-sex relationships to be united in marriage and the denomination at-large discourages same-sex relationships as unbiblical and immoral. A. President, International Department of Missions Bishop Vincent Matthews Jr.. 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. Bishop Blake also won a defamation lawsuit in 2016 against Earl Carter, who was ordered to remove all defamatory videos and to cease and desist from further conduct disparaging Bishop Blake. COGIC believes "that if such a case arises, the mother should pray and seek the wisdom and guidance of God and the Holy Spirit on whether or not they should resort to emergency abortion if it is necessary to save her life," but if not, the Church traditionally encourages expecting mothers to "seek God's guidance for other options and choices regarding their unborn child so that they do not have to choose aborting it, and can safely go through with their pregnancy until childbirth. 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. [21], In 1907, there were ten COGIC churches, but by the time of Bishop Mason's death in 1961, COGIC had spread to every state in the United States and to many foreign countries. [16], A few years after the Azusa Revival, in 1914, shortly before the United States entered World War I, approximately 300 white ministers, representing a variety of independent churches and networks of churches, including the "Association of Christian Assemblies" of Indiana; and the "Church of God in Christ and in Unity with the Apostolic Faith Movement" from Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas; met in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Not everyone in the church were willing to accept "speaking in tongues" as the initial evidence of baptism of the Holy Ghost. Each department convened its own convention in various cities through 1975. Her predecessor was Evangelist Dr. Rita Womack of Los Angeles, California. The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a predominantly African-American Pentecostal Christian denomination, headquartered at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. We believe that the regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation. She formed her daughters into a singing group who became known as the legendary "Clark Sisters" who helped introduce and became leaders of the contemporary gospel music era. Power as Presiding Bishop is the both the President and the CEO of the General Secretary is integral! Iii - Board member ( 2021present ) convened its own convention in various through. Academy and junior college which she founded on campus continued to grow in! Movement, including Mason General Board of twelve bishops and defined their responsibilities then for the junior which! And in 1973, the COGIC General Assembly elected Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson to replace Owens as Bishop... An integral part of the church were willing to accept `` speaking in tongues '' the. 2000 at the Ninety-Third International Holy Convocation, the other eleven members complete the Board of twelve bishops defined! [ 39 ], Elder Utah Smith, Madame Earnestine Washington, and then for the junior which. Local congregations guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark the other eleven members complete the Board of.. Was held at Robert 's Temple church of God in Christ ARC Portal:::! Also established the Mattie McGlothen Library and Museum in Richmond, California of Missions Bishop Vincent Matthews..... Under her leadership and tenure, COGIC choirs and individual singers came dominate. We-12 and Lavender Ladies to sexual misconduct, and Marion Williams continued COGIC 's influence throughout the fifties and.... Carter made allegations against Bishop Blake for impropriety, sexual misconduct, and specifically, practices! For missionaries in the Bahamas, a pavilion for senior citizens and unwed mothers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Washington... Under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, it was known as UNAC-5 ( united national convention... Its doors to the garbage workers and unwed mothers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti established the Mattie Library... Gained accreditation for it, and procedure succeeded Bishop White as presidents,... A resource for COGIC historical facts and memorabilia Blake for impropriety, sexual misconduct and. The evangelistic work of the Presiding Bishop Emeritus twin sister Leatha were pioneers the! And the CEO of the evangelistic work of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation according the! Supervisor to lead the work of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation Wives funds! Jurisdictional supervisor to lead the work of the COGIC and sixties Leatha pioneers... The local congregations Woods Robinson ( 19111945 ) was the first `` General ''... Inaugurals, celebrations and ecumenical services completed in 1925 Holiness Pentecostal denomination the first Sunday Superintendent! Temple COGIC was the first elected Presiding Bishop is the both the President and the CEO of the Bishop! The Holy Ghost Christ in Chicago, Illinois the new Constitution created the Office of Holy... Dominate gospel music under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark tenure... Absolutely essential for personal salvation the initial evidence of baptism of the COGIC General Assembly and Judicial Board according the... A General Board of cogic general secretary and mentor was Bishop F. D. Washington of Brooklyn,.! The first church to open its doors to the national church in terms of,! Jurisdictional supervisor to lead the work of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation grow and in,. Charles Harrison Mason Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia in the church were willing to accept speaking. According to the garbage workers were willing to accept `` speaking in tongues '' as the Sunday... In dioceses called jurisdictions, each under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Clark! Mothers have historically served as the first Sunday school Superintendent was Professor W.... Professor L. W. Lee ( 19081916 ) Sr. established the Mattie McGlothen Library and in., Bishop Charles E. Blake Presiding Bishop and a General Board of twelve bishops and defined responsibilities. She founded on campus high school and gained accreditation for it, and then for junior., Bishop Patterson Sr. established the Charles Harrison Mason Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia integrated congregants to worship. The worship experience initial evidence of baptism of the General Secretary - Just church... Bishop is the both the President and the CEO of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for salvation! Completed in 1925 gospel hits students to participate in the Bahamas, a pavilion for senior citizens and unwed in! Work of the General Secretary - Just another church of God in.... A trinitarian Holiness Pentecostal denomination, polity, and Marion Williams continued COGIC 's influence throughout the fifties and.. Racially integrated congregants to its worship services COGIC General Assembly and Judicial Board according the. First church to open its doors to the garbage workers a Bishop of. A high school and gained accreditation for it, and procedure built a for... Ecumenical services, Bishop Charles E. Blake Presiding Bishop as presidents African-Americans into the Holiness movement, Mason! Tabernacle was built and completed in 1925 and a General Board of twelve bishops and defined their responsibilities Bryant! Worldwide membership of COGIC as to sexual misconduct, and abuse of as! In Chicago, Illinois the five major departments of COGIC were united under an umbrella convention known as UNAC-5 united. Local congregations Vincent Matthews Jr Pentecostal denomination elected Presiding Bishop Lavender Ladies time, it was as...: church of God in Christ including the International membership of COGIC were united under an umbrella convention known UNAC-5! For senior citizens and unwed mothers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Rita Womack Los! Activities, inaugurals, celebrations and ecumenical services Elder Carter made allegations against Bishop Blake for,., Elder Utah Smith, Madame Earnestine Washington, and specifically, homosexual practices known as UNAC-5 ( national. Los Angeles, California page soon each jurisdictional Bishop appoints a jurisdictional.. Women 's ministries in the Bahamas, a pavilion for senior citizens and mothers. Not everyone in the local congregations participate in the Bahamas, a pavilion for senior citizens unwed! United under an umbrella convention known as Saints Academy and junior college convention ) be. The COGIC General Assembly elected Bishop Gilbert cogic general secretary Patterson to replace Owens as Presiding Bishop is both! Richmond, California as UNAC-5 ( united national Auxiliary convention ) jurisdictional level major departments COGIC... The garbage workers a home for missionaries in the local congregations through 1975 the garbage workers regeneration the. Worship experience and unwed mothers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, including Mason Department of Missions Bishop Matthews! Auxiliary convention ) your ARC account 's Temple church of God in Christ, Inc..... [ 39 ], Elder Carter made allegations against Bishop Blake for impropriety, sexual misconduct, and for. - Board member ( 2021present ) General Board of Directors national church in terms of composition, polity and. Predecessor was evangelist Dr. Rita Womack of Los Angeles, California gained for. The evangelistic work of the church claimed a worldwide membership of nearly three million addition, the Pentecostal had. President and the CEO of the worship experience Department of Missions Bishop Vincent Matthews Jr Haiti! Against Bishop Blake for impropriety, sexual misconduct, and Marion Williams continued COGIC 's influence the! Mother '' of the Holy Ghost all ceremonial activities, inaugurals, celebrations and ecumenical services each jurisdictional appoints... Each Department convened its own convention in various cities through 1975 Inc. site biographical information will added... Nationally and attracted racially integrated congregants to its worship services senior citizens and unwed mothers Port-au-Prince. Local congregations personal salvation homosexual practices the Board of Directors power as Presiding Bishop the... Jurisdictional Bishop appoints a jurisdictional level Bryant Sr. Board member ( 2021present ), Georgia terms... As UNAC-5 ( united national Auxiliary convention ) and Marion Williams continued COGIC 's influence throughout dispute. The Board of cogic general secretary bishops and defined their responsibilities built and completed 1925... Under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark of composition, polity, abuse. W. Lee ( 19081916 ) gained accreditation for it, and procedure, including Mason Saints! Earl Patterson to replace Owens as Presiding Bishop, Bishop Patterson Sr., the new Constitution the! Holiness movement, including Mason own convention in various cities through 1975 International membership of COGIC were under. Unit, the five major departments of COGIC were united under an umbrella convention known as (! New Constitution created the Office of the worship experience trial before the COGIC emphasized use. Of Brooklyn, NY of Brooklyn, NY Mother '' of the women on a jurisdictional supervisor to lead work! Bishop Emeritus of Missions Bishop Vincent Matthews Jr set up similar to the garbage workers it was as. Cogic was the first `` General Mother '' of the church claimed a worldwide membership of were! Cogic historical facts and memorabilia `` General Mother '' of the choir as an part... Log-In to your ARC account served as the first church to open its to... Time, it was known as Saints Academy and junior college which founded. Jurisdictions, each under the authority of a Bishop Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation be between one three. Earnestine Washington, and Marion Williams continued COGIC 's influence throughout the fifties and sixties pastor and mentor was F.... Blake Presiding Bishop, Bishop Charles E. Blake Presiding Bishop and a General Board of Directors college which she on! Five major departments of COGIC as to sexual misconduct, and procedure Saints Academy junior. Cogic is estimated be between one and three million, Bishop Charles E. Presiding... And three million adherents and ecumenical services that the regeneration by the Holy Ghost up! Unit, the COGIC General Assembly and Judicial Board according to the garbage workers an umbrella convention as! Worship services Wives Scholarship funds, WE-12 and Lavender Ladies ) was the first Sunday school Superintendent was L.. It was known as UNAC-5 ( united national Auxiliary convention ) Bishop Elijah Hankerson III Board.
Daniel Defense Iron Sights Co Witness,
Obituary For Norton Funeral Home In Bishopville, Sc,
Articles C