. He is an example of servant leadership and has become a voice to the nations to uphold the standards of holiness. On June 5, 1951, he selected Bishop A. Furthermore, the new constitution created the office of the presiding bishop and a general board of twelve bishops and defined their responsibilities. Assistant Financial Secretary Bishop David A. Sanders. C. D. Owens had gained national attention in the church as the president of the Youth Department. The denomination considers these to be inconsistent with COGIC doctrine and teaching. Under her leadership and tenure, COGIC choirs and individual singers came to dominate gospel music producing a number of recordings and gospel hits. Her life story led many African-Americans into the Holiness movement, including Mason. His testimony "literally went viral, and brought upon him criticism and sardonicism. He accepted his call into the ministry in 1956. [55], A 2014 statistical study from the Pew Research Center Forum on Religion & Public Life, reported that most members of COGIC usually got married between the ages of 25 and 30, and that over 42% of COGIC members between the ages of 25 and 65+ were married, at least 19% were divorced or separated, 32% were never married, and at least 5% were widowed. These jurisdictions are then separated into districts, which consist of 5 to 7 churches and are governed by superintendents (ordained elder or pastor). [31], Bishop Ford also renovated several COGIC structures in Memphis, including Mason Temple. COGIC licensed female evangelists may also serve as chaplains in military, federal, state, and local institutions requiring chaplains. COGIC does not teach that Spirit baptism is the same as salvation. He was able to bridge denominational barriers and encourage non-COGIC ministries to work collboratively with the COGIC denomination. Their pastor was then elder Gilbert Earl Patterson, who also became a COGIC Presiding Bishop, at Holy Temple COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee. [17][16] The organizers of the meeting in Hot Springs had sent invitations only to white ministers to discuss a new movement. In 1996, the then Elder J. In 1946, the National Sunday School Congress began to meet with the Young People's Willing Workers (YPWW) Congress. Lizzie Woods Robinson (19111945) was the first "General Mother" of the church. During his visit, Mason received the baptism of the Holy Ghost; the evidence was believed to be his "speaking in other tongues", in accordance with the biblical account found in the book of Acts 2:4. She was the wife and companion of Bishop John Seth Bailey, a trusted adviser of Bishop Mason, and later the first assistant presiding bishop of the church. [18], The H. A. Goss faction left COGIC to join the Assemblies of God USA. Factions developed within the organization as both the senior bishop and Bishop A. The current General Supervisor of Women is Dr. Barbara McCoo Lewis of Los Angeles, California. The general assembly meets biannually each year in April and November while the presidium acts as the executive branch of the church, overseeing the day-to-day operation when the general assembly is not in session. These events include physical death, the intermediate state, bodily resurrection, the Second Coming of Christ, the Great Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, the Millennial Reign, the Final Judgment, the future of the wicked in hell, and life for the redeemed in heaven.[48]. 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 . She led its expansion and emphasized high academic standards, disciplined behavior, and prayer. He was denied such trial in 2016. Today COGIC operates the All Saints Bible College in Memphis, the C. H. Mason system of bible colleges, and the C. H. Mason Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. The former Detroit-based math teacher was elected as the new presiding bishop over the largest Pentecostal denomination in the country in March. COGIC teaches that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the world. The rain in the background represents the, Members of the General Board (2021present), General supervisors for the Department of Women, Young People Willing Workers (YPWW) International Youth Department (IYD), United National Auxiliary Conference (UNAC) and Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM), Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 15:15, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Worldwide Fellowship of the Assemblies of God, Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, List of jurisdictions of the Church of God in Christ, "Bishop Mason built COGIC out of revival, the faith of former slaves", "A Brief Historical Sketch of the Church of God in Christ, International (Arkansas)", "PRESS RELEASE: Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. Will Not Seek Reelection", "Catholics, Mormons, Assemblies of God growing; Mainline churches report a continuing decline", "The most and least racially diverse U.S. religious groups", "Human Coalition Launches Three-year Initiative with Church of God in Christ", "Proclamation on Marriage | COGIC General Assembly", "Racial and ethnic composition among members of the Church of God in Christ", https://mccormick.edu/content/daniels-david-ii, "RootsWeb's WorldConnect Project: York's Fentress County Tennessee", http://www.mtairycogic.com/index.php/about-us/243-drlouisfelton, "James Haynes Obituary (19312015) Dallas, TX Dallas Morning News", "Ohio North First Jurisdiction COGIC | About Us", "Senior Pastor | St. Stephen's Cathedral Church Of God in Christ", "Chicago's Historic Roberts Temple COGIC Receives Landmark Status", "Our Pastor GREATER EMMANUEL INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST", "Nathaniel Simmons Obituary (2006) Atlanta, GA Atlanta Journal-Constitution", "Barnett Thoroughgood Obituary (2012) Norfolk, VA The Virginian-Pilot", "Wells Memorial Church of God in Christ About Us", "Influential Hampton Roads Bishop Levi E. Willis Sr. dies", "Bishop Roy L.H. [5] Although an international and multi-ethnic religious organization, it has a predominantly African-American membership based within the United States. He consecrated and appointed more than 100 bishops during his twenty-one years of leadership. 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. 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. William B. Holt was appointed as General Superintendent. In 1924, the Sunday School was formally organized under "Father" F. C. Christmas (19161944). Bishop Brandon B. Porter Secretary to the General Board (2021present) and board member (2012present). 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.) J. O. Patterson Sr. was the Presiding Bishop at that time. COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake issued a public apology, saying "I apologize for what seemed to be a harsh, uncompassionate, disrespectful spirit on the part of that speaker. Assistant Secretary of the Board of Bishops Bishop Adrian Williams. [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. At the 1907 COGIC Convocation held in Jackson, a separation occurred among Jones and other leaders in the church because of such disagreements. A Jeter and D. J. The school enjoyed its greatest growth and success under the leadership of Dr. Arenia Conella Mallory (19041977). [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. 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. Male as well as female evangelists were instrumental in spreading COGIC throughout the United States as well as around the world. In 1945, Bishop S. Crouch of the Northern California Jurisdiction appointed Elder H. C. Johnson as State Sunday School Superintendent who appointed Missionary Lucille Cornelius to be Chairlady, the first woman to lead the supervision of COGIC women in the Sunday School Department. 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. " 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. 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. 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. Bishop Blake is married to Mae Lawrence Blake, a native of Michigan, and they have three children together, Charles Blake II (Jr.), Lawrence Blake, and Kimberly Blake, and they have eight grandchildren.[6]. [29] COGIC continued to grow and in 1973, the church claimed a worldwide membership of nearly three million. As a visionary who is both inspiring and influential, the awards and recognitions that Bishop Blake has received are extensive. Women in COGIC have been influential in the leadership and organization of the church since its inception. The human soul is immortal and will spend eternity either in heaven as the redeemed or in hell as the damned. Welcome to the Official Church Of God In Christ, Inc Online Store Dismiss. As a classical Holiness Pentecostal denomination,[2][4] COGIC continues to embrace its holiness heritage, teaching modesty in dress, appearance, moderate participation in secular entertainment and prohibitions against profanity, alcohol, substance abuse and immoral behavior. As a result, the general board exercises great authority over the church. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Glenn Plummer. In 2000, he was elected as the Presiding Bishop of COGIC. 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop Bishop Jerry W. Macklin. Another body operating under the same name Church of God in Christ, International, split and organized in the Northeast area under Bishop R. T. Jones of Philadelphia and later Bishop C. E. Williams Sr. of Brooklyn, New York. 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. Bishop Blake was the pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ,[7] one of the largest African-American churches in the Western United States, with a membership of over 24,000, from 1969 until his retirement in 2022. [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. Nigeria alone has 19 bishops and more than 2000 churches. Vice chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Bishop Marcus Ways. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Professor L. W. Lee (19081916). During her leadership, several new buildings were constructed on the 350-acre campus to serve this expansion. His decision means that the Feb. 23 Quadrennial Election will vote-in a new Presiding Bishop. 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. This came on the heels of former Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr.'s October 2020 announcement that he would not seek reelection. They exist today as adversaries to the kingdom, purpose and will of God. During the formative stages of COGIC, Bishop Mason organized departments to further support the work of the church as it continued to grow and expand. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels Board member (2008present). On May 19, 1952, he added Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. Also in 1952, Mason revised the constitution to determine the leadership and succession of the church after his death. President, International Department of Evangelism Evangelist Gary Sprewell, Elect Lady, International Department of Evangelism . Remarriage is usually highly discouraged, except in the case of the death of a spouse or former spouse. [5] He officially retired on March 19, 2021, and was succeeded by Bishop J. [15], In 1951, when Bishop Mason was approaching 85 years of age, he set up a "special commission" to help with the administration and oversight of the church. It ultimately ended by 1930, when the Depression set in. 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 as a member of the General Board or Presiding Bishop. Mallory retired in 1976 after fifty years of service; and she had a national reputation. [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. 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. [8][9] In 1984, after the death of his father, he was ordained and consecrated as a jurisdictional bishop of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southern California for the COGIC denomination, and remained in that position until 2009 when he stepped down from the position to dedicate himself fully to the duties of the Office of the Presiding Bishop.