Welcome from the General Board

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:16

Welcome to the home page of the General Board of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. The men selected to lead the Church were chosen by God and the membership of the Church Of God In Christ. We hope you enjoy learning more about the Church leadership and the important role they have in leading God’s people.

The Role of the General Board

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12) KJV

The General Board of the Church of God in Christ, Inc (COGIC) is responsible for establishing and executing policies for the membership, as well as sustaining and perpetuating spiritual order within the Church. These twelve bishops, chosen from the Board of Bishops, are voted into office by the General Assembly for a term of four years. Executive decisions made by the General Board are final unless revoked or modified by the General Assembly.  The General Board convenes three times a year for official meetings in the months of April, November and at the time the presiding bishop deems necessary.

The Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ is Bishop J. Drew Sheard, pastor of  Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church Of God In Christ in Detroit, MI.  Through his leadership the board has continued its vision which is based on Titus 1:5, in which the Apostle Paul appointed Titus to lead the people of Crete as an elder. Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop and Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Sr., 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop serve as Presiding Bishop Sheard’s special aides on the General Board.

As the spiritual leadership of 6.5 million members worldwide, the Church Of God In Christ General Board has a Pentecostal vision to carry out a message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.