C. P. Jones was elected the General Overseer, C. H. Mason was selected as Overseer of Tennessee, and J. Under her leadership, the Women's International Convention added the term "and Crusade" to highlight and promote the evangelistic approach of the convention. 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]. Today COGIC has more than 12,000 churches, and several schools, missions, and medical clinics in more than eighty nations, including every inhabited continent. In 1964 however, disagreement between the authority of the Senior Bishop and the executive board, led by Bishop A. She was the Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for California Northern First Jurisdiction. He self-identifies as Bishop/CEO of his newly organized fellowship called the 7000 Club (not to be confused with The 700 Club from Pat Robertson). [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. 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]. . Charles Blake was born on August 5, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Bishop Junious Augustus (J. He was pastor of the Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the Presiding Prelate of the Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction. [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. [33] In 2009, Bishop Blake unveiled an aggressive program known as "Urban Initiatives" to address the plight of America's urban areas. As a result, many local congregations, foreign missions, and schools were established through the leadership and efforts of women in COGIC. Bishop Owens led the COGIC in its centennial celebration in 1997 with the theme, "Holiness, a Proven Foundation for a Promising Future!" Most recently, Biola University conferred an honorary doctorate upon him on June 12, 2010. PuLSE Institute Names COGIC Presiding Bishop Emeritus, Humanitarian The international headquarters is in Memphis, Tennessee. Bishop Mason: Founder of largest Pentecostal denomination - NBC News The church is thought to have nearly two million members in 7,000 churches on the continent of Africa. The COGIC constitution at the time did not identify a clear successor or the authority of the executive board after Mason's death. These offices are found in every local, district, and jurisdiction to support development and growth of the Sunday School. A.) Drew Sheard, Sr. as Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021. 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. 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. He referred in his sermon to gay men as "sissies", "perverted and lost", and said, "If you want to feel like a girl; I wish God would give you the monthly of a girl; I wish He had you bleeding out of your butt. Nevertheless, women are licensed in COGIC to proclaim the gospel as evangelists. 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. It had a membership of more than 400,000, who supported more than 4,000 churches. As a compassionate advocate for the advancement of Gods Kingdom, he is committed to accomplishing Gods agenda as both a leader and a laborer, reaping a harvest of souls. Assistant Secretary of the Board of Bishops Bishop Adrian Williams. Today however, many church mothers have been reserved to titular positions as many pastor's wives have assumed the role of leader of women's ministries in local congregations. Ford was pastor of the St. Paul COGIC in Chicago and was Presiding Prelate of the Historic Illinois First Jurisdiction. Bishop David A. In 1988, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Church. It has had rapid growth in many regions as one of the fastest-growing and largest religious groups in the United States.[30]. Today thousands of COGIC women when ministering the gospel or serving in official capacities are seen in their civic (black) or ceremonial (white) habits. [5] Although an international and multi-ethnic religious organization, it has a predominantly African-American membership based within the United States. Succession of Church of God in Christ Leaders. They exist today as adversaries to the kingdom, purpose and will of God. 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 designated church mother along with other "older and seasoned" women of the church provided the practical teaching of holiness in daily life and practice. In 2010, Bishop Blake led more than 50,000 delegates to the 103rd International Holy Convocation to St. Louis, Missouri. J. O. Patterson Sr. was the Presiding Bishop at that time. Malcolm X's Funeral was held in Harlem, New York City at Faith Temple Church Of God in Christ. The church declares to be evangelical in ministry, fundamental in doctrine and practice and Pentecostal in worship and expression. He became nationally recognized in 1955 for officiating at the funeral of 15-year-old Emmett Till, who was brutally murdered in Mississippi. There seemed no prospect of an integrated Pentecostal movement under the leadership of an African-American such as C. H. 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. This list may not reflect recent changes . Second Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Attorney Amos Smith. In Chicago, Ford organized voter registration initiatives. They are the largest department in the COGIC. 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), 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. The most active women's auxiliaries include: Missionary Circle, Hospitality, Executive Hospitality, Hulda Club, Wide Awake Band, Minister's Wives Circle, Deaconess, Deacon's Wives Circle, Prayer Warriors, Young Women's Christian Council, Usher Board, Educational Committee, Boy's League, Big Brothers, Cradle Roll, Women's Chorus, Board of Examiners, Public Relations, News Reporters and the Burners Home and Foreign Mission Bands. [18], The H. A. Goss faction left COGIC to join the Assemblies of God USA. 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. " Mother Dorothy Exume#, foreign missionary, Evangelist Reatha D. Herndon#, first and longest-serving elect Lady, church organizer, national evangelist, Supervisor Deola Wells Johnson, national evangelist, jurisdictional supervisor, Evangelist Maria Gardner Langston, COGIC pastor, national evangelist, former Elect Lady, Mother Elsie Washington Mason#, third and final wife of Bishop Mason, Mother Lelia Washington Mason#, second wife of Bishop Mason. Treasurer of the General Council of Pastors and Elders Pastor William Ward. [5] He officially retired on March 19, 2021, and was succeeded by Bishop J. Drew Sheard elected as COGIC's new presiding bishop; two Memphis bishops elected to general board Sheard, 62, was elected in late March to lead the predominantly African American . Funeral services set for COGIC Evangelist Louise Patterson After the death of Bishop Mason, he assumed leadership as the Senior Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. [93] Leaders within the COGIC, other denominations and Bishop Blake's own family came to his defense. Bishop Sheard is a former mathematics teacher and . 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. Mother Willie Mae Rivers served faithfully for 20 years as General Mother until 2017 and the age of 91. According to its 1973 Constitution, the church has two structures to govern the church: civil and ecclesiastical. 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. Together he and his wife, Karen, founded Karew Records, a faith-based record label focusing on various forms of Gospel, Christian and Inspirational music. "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,". He has also been awarded the Salvation Army's William Booth Award, the Greenlining Institute's Big Heart Award, and was the designated recipient of the L.A. Urban League's Whitney M. Young Award for the year 2000. [61] Finally, she changed the visible presence of women in ministry with the introduction of the ministry "habit". Charles Edward Blake Sr. - Wikipedia Furthermore, the new constitution created the office of the presiding bishop and a general board of twelve bishops and defined their responsibilities. [32], Bishop Chandler David Owens Sr. was elected Presiding Bishop after the death of Bishop Ford in 1995. Each department convened its own convention in various cities through 1975. Winbush was selected to serve as the first chairman. B. McEwen was elected chairman of the executive board, and O.T. [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. COGIC does not teach that Spirit baptism is the same as salvation. Supervisor Irene Oakley#, pastor, supervisor, bishop's wife, Mother Louise Patterson, evangelist, former first lady and wife of G.E. [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. He gave the eulogy for Till at Robert's Temple COGIC in 1955. 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. The international membership of COGIC is estimated be between one and three million adherents. [49] The church does not practice infant baptisms or christenings, but does conduct baby dedications in formal ceremonies. C. D. Owens had gained national attention in the church as the president of the Youth Department. COGIC members gathered for praying, fasting, teaching, preaching, fellowship and conducting business related to the national COGIC organization. Al Sharpton, a noted civil rights activist, began his ministerial career as a minister in COGIC. This group of seven bishops became known officially as the executive commission; they took on greater responsibility over church affairs until Mason's death. He was succeeded by Bishop Joe L. Ealy. However, the Church believes that in some extreme or rare cases, medical and operational abortion may be the safest way to help the mother if the pregnancy is jeopardizing the mother's life and health. 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. 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. In 2017, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake appointed gospel artist and Evangelist Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole of Detroit, Michigan as the Elect Lady. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Incorporated, Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation, Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge, Original Church of God or Sanctified Church, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Edward_Blake_Sr.&oldid=1138808010, People from Los Angeles County, California, Presiding Bishops of the Church of God in Christ, African-American television personalities, Interdenominational Theological Center alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, April, 2007, November 2008, November 2012, November 2016, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 19:00. Dr. Mattie McGlothen (19751994) the fourth General Supervisor, was a tremendous organizer with great impact on the development of the Women's Department. Other leaders of the Youth Department who leader became influential leaders of the church included: Bishop F.D. [20], The first national tabernacle was built and completed in 1925. It is a separate and distinct work of grace that occurs in the lives of believers after conversion. COGIC believes in divine healing, however, it does not advocate the exclusion of medical supervision. 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. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Glenn Plummer. According to the press release, The COGIC General Assembly, the legislat COGIC licensed female evangelists may also serve as chaplains in military, federal, state, and local institutions requiring chaplains. [33] C. E. Blake served as the Presiding Prelate of the First Jurisdiction of Southern California. Jesse Jackson was invited to speak during the COGIC International Holy Convocation when he was running for the presidency. A visionary, she spearheaded the establishment of the multi-million dollar Hale Morris Lewis Manor, a senior citizen complex in Los Angeles, CA. In her brief tenure, she encouraged the women to stay focused and supportive to the leadership of the church. Vice Chairman of the General Assembly Bishop Jerry W. Maynard. 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]. 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. COGIC policies and bylaws have also been established regarding sexual misconduct of COGIC clergy and laymembers for disciplinary purposes. He was a strong advocate for social justice. 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. Church of God in Christ elects new Presiding Bishop Since so many new holiness groups and fellowships were forming that used the name "Church of God," C. H. Mason sought a name to distinguish his Holiness group from others. She built a home for missionaries in the Bahamas, a pavilion for senior citizens and unwed mothers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Bishop Blake led COGIC through the death of G. E. Patterson while preparing the church for its 100th Holy Convocation; an important milestone for the church. He was elected four times uncontested as presiding bishop. Jurisdictions are set up similar to the national church in terms of composition, polity, and procedure. Drew Sheard is a former public-school teacher. In 1976, under the leadership of Bishop J.O. 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. The church started with only 50 members in 1969 when he became pastor. She also established a musical program. 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. Bishop Sheard was inducted into the prestigious Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Bishop Michael E. Hill Assistant Secretary to the General Board (2021present) and board member (2021present). B. McEwen, Bishop J. S. Bailey, and Bishop O. M. Kelly as his assistants. COGIC teaches that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the world. The former Detroit-based math teacher was elected as the new presiding bishop over the largest Pentecostal denomination in the country in March. [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. 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. Mother Lillian Coffey appointed Mother Reatha Herndon as president of the National Women's Evangelist Board in 1951. In 2014, at the COGIC International Holy Convocation held in St. Louis, Missouri, COGIC minister Elder Earl Carter was selected by the General Board to be the keynote speaker for Saturday night. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Bishop Nate' M. Jefferson. The school and college remain closed at present.[29]. Bishop John Drew Sheard Sr., who had previously been elected to the General Board in 2012 and 2016, was reelected to the General Board and subsequently elected as the current Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021, in the first-ever virtual online election for the denomination. [29] She is also the Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for the South Carolina Jurisdiction. [60] Units added during her tenure as general supervisor were the: business and Professional Women's Federation, Rescue Squad, Sunday School Representatives Unit, United Sisters of Charity, National Secretaries Unit, and the Jr. Missionaries. 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. [44], COGIC teaches that salvation is the work of redemption to the sinner and his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. There was the creation of the Sunday School Field Representative. 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. After being removed from the office of Senior Bishop, he remained the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until his death in 1972. 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. He continued to build on the department through expansion of the Regional Administration into 10 geographical locations across the country. 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. Sister Church Support Ministry a church in the USA giving support to a church on the mission field. [36], In 2022, it was present in 112 countries in 2022. It has nine members, elected by the general assembly, including three bishops, three elders, and three lay members. According to Alex Haley, "He and his wife then received bomb threats at home and at church." 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. [48] COGIC clergy are also encouraged to have a certain degree of training in marriage counseling as well. [58], Her successor, Lillian Brooks Coffey (19451964) was the organizer of the Women's International Convention to support the work of foreign missionaries. 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. The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total. On May 19, 1952, he added Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. They were given the authority through a "gentlemen's agreement" to license ministers and establish churches under the COGIC name. [25], Bishop Ozro Thurston Jones Sr. was pastor of the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia and the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction. Clinton is the only US president to have addressed a COGIC convocation at Mason Temple. The school enjoyed its greatest growth and success under the leadership of Dr. Arenia Conella Mallory (19041977). White. He served faithfully as an Ordained Deacon, the Sunday School Superintendent and the Guitarist. COGIC believes, though, that even then in the case of saving the life of the mother, that abortion should still only be considered as a last resort, if all other options to help the mother and the unborn fetus have been thoroughly exhausted. Dr. Roy L.H. The Presiding Bishop - Church Of God In Christ By. She began women's work on the state level and appointed the first state mothers.