She is also the Jurisdictional Supervisor for the First Jurisdiction, Southern California. He was succeeded by Bishop Joe L. Ealy. At the start of the new millennium, then COGIC presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, continued to support the advancement of civil rights. Drew Sheard is a former public-school teacher. He began production of the YPWW Quarterly Topics to train the youth of the COGIC in the faith, doctrine, and polity of the church. In April 2018, Presiding Bishop Charles Blake along with Lee Saunders, Andrew Young, DeMaurice Smith, and Brian Dunn coordinated the "I AM 2018 Mountaintop Conference" at the historic Mason Temple in Memphis to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. COGIC believes marriage is a monogamous sacred, civil, and legal union between a husband and wife that is recognized as a covenant between them and God for the purpose of the couple being a helpmate to each other and raising a family together. On November 14, 1968, the General Assembly of the COGIC elected the first general board and presiding bishop of the church. This list may not reflect recent changes . William B. Holt was appointed as General Superintendent. They have three children and eight grandchildren. 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. 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. [29] The spread of COGIC was due largely to the efforts of its evangelists through crusades and revivals. Memphis' Bishop Brandon Porter open to becoming COGIC presiding bishop Patterson established protocols of worship, policy and practices. 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. 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. He re-ignited the church to be a flagship Pentecostal denomination. [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. The Department of Evangelism was officially organized on a national level by Overseer L.C. [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. This came on the heels of former Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr.'s October 2020 announcement that he would not seek reelection. 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. Blake has also formerly served as an Advisory Committee Member of the Pentecostal World Conference, and as the founder and Co-chair of the Los Angeles Ecumenical Congress (LAEC), an interdenominational coalition of religious leaders and pastors for the city of Los Angeles. BISHOP CHARLES E. BLAKE, SR. - Church Of God In Christ Overseer E.R. The current presiding bishop and chief apostle is Bishop J. He is credited with helping to secure the steel needed to construct Mason Temple which was virtually impossible during World War II.[52]. In keeping with the times, the school had some industrial education and training for its students, so that they could learn practical skills. The current president of the Missions Department is Bishop Vincent Mathews Jr. of South Africa. A. Blake, Jr., who is also a bishop and pastor in the COGIC denomination in San Diego, California. 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. 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. They are fallen angels who joined Satan in his failed attempt to usurp power in Heaven. 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. 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. There is a presiding bishop, known as the chief apostle of the church. Drew Sheard who was elected in 2021. Bishop Charles E. Blake, as the Presiding Bishop of the COGIC from the late 2000s up to the 2010s, was also dedicated to increasing and maintaining stable ecumenical relationships from the COGIC with other diverse Christian denominations, most notably Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, Baptist churches, African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Churches, and A.M.E. Zion churches, and even some non-denominational Christian ministries for the purposes of ministry efforts and collaborating on addressing social issues that affect Christians and specifically the Black Church in America, most notably through his Urban Initiatives program. Herndon and her twin sister Leatha were pioneers of the evangelistic work of the Church of God in Christ. As a visionary who is both inspiring and influential, the awards and recognitions that Bishop Blake has received are extensive. After the death of Bishop Mason, he assumed leadership as the Senior Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. National officers of the church are chosen at the general assembly every four years unless special elections are warranted. It was destroyed by fire in 1936. Military chaplains have also been instrumental in spreading COGIC through military installations. Since 2007, Ebony has recognized Bishop Blake annually, as one of its 100+ most influential African Americans. Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Bishop Dwight E. Walls Sr.. First Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Superintendent Melton Timmons. Mason. We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. [37] The National Council of Churches ranks it as the fifth largest Christian denomination in the U.S.[38] COGIC is a HolinessPentecostal Christian denomination,[2][4] with a predominantly African-American membership. Vice chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Bishop Marcus Ways. 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. 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. 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. President, International Department of Evangelism Evangelist Gary Sprewell, Elect Lady, International Department of Evangelism . Giving Down by Half in Church of God in Christ - News & Reporting COGIC believes in divine healing, however, it does not advocate the exclusion of medical supervision. He appointed regional presidents to serve as liaisons to the jurisdictional presidents. We believe that the regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation. Bishop James Oglethorpe Patterson 1968-1989* *Tenure as leader of the church: Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson 2000-Present: Bishop Louis Henry Ford 1990-1995* Bishop Chandler David Owens 1995-2000* On October 23, 2020, Bishop Blake announced that he will not seek re-election as Presiding Bishop nor as a member of the General Board. The first meeting was held in Memphis, Tennessee around 1937. [6], In June 1896, Jones held a Holiness convention at Mt. 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. The Youth Congress eventually become one of the largest conventions in COGIC. The school enjoyed its greatest growth and success under the leadership of Dr. Arenia Conella Mallory (19041977). Bishop Mason appointed her as a young woman to be head of the small school in 1926, after she had been teaching there. 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. Patterson, as Presiding Bishop of the Church in the 2000s, he helped bridge denominational barriers and encouraged non-COGIC ministries and denominations to work collaboratively with the COGIC denomination to help support charity efforts for poor and disadvantaged African Americans and people affected by poverty and disasters in foreign countries through the COGIC Charities Department and the COGIC Missions and Evangelism Department. Factions developed within the organization as both the senior bishop and Bishop A. Presiding Bishop J. Mother Willie Mae Rivers served faithfully for 20 years as General Mother until 2017 and the age of 91. 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 Five Presiding Bishops of the Church Of God In Christ Jonathan DesVerney Gospel Channel 349K subscribers 740 65K views 5 years ago I created this video a long time ago, this is just the. G. E. Patterson established the Temple of Deliverance, the Cathedral of Bountiful Blessing which grew to become the largest Pentecostal church in Memphis with over 14,000 members. Drew Sheard, Sr. as Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021. In 1976, under the leadership of Bishop J.O. His decision means that the Feb. 23 Quadrennial Election will vote-in a new Presiding Bishop. (19721994). The civil structure of the Church of God in Christ includes a president, first vice-president, second vice-president, general secretary, general treasurer, and the financial secretary. [93] Leaders within the COGIC, other denominations and Bishop Blake's own family came to his defense. Charles Blake was born on August 5, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Bishop Junious Augustus (J. During the 1950s and 60s, during the height of the civil rights movement, COGIC ministers and congregations played host to many significant events. Chairman of the National Judiciary Board Bishop Martin Luther Johnson. 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. He was pastor of the Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the Presiding Prelate of the Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction. 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. 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. He led a group of students to participate in the March on Selma. Charles Edward Blake Sr. (born August 5, 1940) is an American minister and pastor who served as the Presiding Bishop and leader of the Church of God in Christ, a 6 million-member Holiness Pentecostal denomination, that has now grown to become one of the largest predominantly African American Pentecostal denominations in the United . For the Anabaptist denomination, see, The official seal of the COGIC features a sheaf of wheat representing the members of the COGIC. 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. Patterson, who became presiding bishop in 2000 at the age of 60. At the time, because many churches disagreed with what they considered its eccentric worship styles and expressions of Pentecostalism, such as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and the laying on of hands, many churches distanced themselves from the COGIC for many years. The general secretary, general treasurer, and financial secretary terms run concurrent with the current presidential administration that is elected every four years.[20]. A general supervisor of women is appointed by the presiding bishop and given authority to lead the International Women's Ministry of the church. A. Blackwell, E. M. Blackwell, E. M. Page, R. H. I. Clark, D. J. [15], COGIC originated among African Americans in the Southern states of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. She established a high school and gained accreditation for it, and then for the junior college which she founded on campus. A local church mother since the age of 21, she was committed to strengthening the auxiliaries in the local churches and to prepare the younger women to carry the mission of COGIC into the Twenty-first Century. Mother Jennie Bell Dancy Jones of Arkansas became the first National Field Representative under Bishop Patrick. The church has a tradition of prayer, fasting, praise, and consecration that was once unique to Holiness or Holiness Pentecostal groups. Organized in the South and having a predominately African-American membership, COGIC has had a long history in advancing civil rights. [29], Bishop Charles E. Blake assumed leadership and was elected Presiding Bishop of the church after the death of Bishop G.E. 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. After graduating from high school, he matriculated to Wayne State. 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. Some of these African-American Baptist pastors in local Southern areas such as Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas considered Jones and Mason to be controversial. [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. Bishop Mason was pivotal in licensing and credentialing both white and African-American ministers, who spread the Pentecostal message and planted new churches. 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]. As the International Holy Convocation grew to thousands, COGIC leaders had to negotiate with city officials to provide hotel accommodations for the saints. In 2010, Bishop Blake led more than 50,000 delegates to the 103rd International Holy Convocation to St. Louis, Missouri. 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. Her life story led many African-Americans into the Holiness movement, including Mason. The church's new presiding bishop, who took office on March 20, said he will have to. Nevertheless, as time progressed in the 1950s and 60s, and as COGIC began to grow and became increasingly institutionalized as a denomination, several other churches and denominations began partnering up with COGIC's leaders to help advance the cause of Civil Rights for African Americans, most notably such as the National Baptist Convention, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and many other similar predominantly Black denominations as well. Mason was given authority to lead the new denomination. 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). After being removed from the office of Senior Bishop, he remained the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until his death in 1972. 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. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Church of God in Christ announced it has elected a new Presiding Bishop to lead the organization. He has one older brother, J. Bishop Charles H. McClelland Board member (2021present). Other accolades include the Distinguished Leadership Award from the African Presidential Archives and. In 1988, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Church. Mason as General Overseer and Chief Apostle. Lizzie Woods Robinson (19111945) was the first "General Mother" of the church. "[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. On June 5, 1951, he selected Bishop A. Humanity can only be restored through salvation offered only through Jesus Christ. COGIC teaches the deity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, sinless life, physical death, burial, resurrection, ascension and visible return to the earth. All officers are elected by the General Assembly. The first youth leader on a national level was Elder M.C. Today thousands of COGIC women when ministering the gospel or serving in official capacities are seen in their civic (black) or ceremonial (white) habits. COGIC also teaches that all the spiritual gifts are for believers today. Bishop Carter came into holiness in 1952 at the Jones Avenue Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of the late Bishop George Briley.
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