COGIC OFFICIAL MANUAL complete

1 03/07/11 08:25:49 AM1 OFFICIAL MANUAL with the DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINE of the CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 1973 Written by the authorization and approval of the General Assembly. The Editor of the OFFICIAL MANUAL , the General Secretary of the Church Of God In Christ and the Publisher of the Church Of God In Christ shall be commissioned with the editing and revising of the "Discipline." The Editorial Commission shall have the authority to revise and amend phraseology as may be necessary to harmonize with legislative decisions approved by the General Board and the General Assembly without changing its original meaning.

2 CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INC. WORLD HEADQUARTERS 272 South Main Street Memphis, Tennessee 38103 Bishop Louis H. Ford, Presiding Bishop 1991 Edition Page #I 03/07/11 08:25:49 AM2 EDITORIAL COMMISSION Elder C. F. Range. Jr. Book Editor Elder Clyde Young Assistant Book Editor Bishop G. R. Ross General Secretary PUBLISHER Dr. Roy L. H. Winbush, President of Church Of God In Christ Publishing Board Copyright 1973 by Board of Publication of the Church Of God In Christ, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.

3 Printed in the United States of America Reprinted 1991, 1992 Page # II 03/07/11 08:25:49 AM3 PREFACE The worldwide chaotic conditions and the blatant defiance of the reality of God are irrefutable testimony of the urgent need for a new dedication to the principles upon which we as true believers of Christ stand. During the first decade of the twentieth century, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, a Prophet of God and Founder of the Church Of God In Christ International, began to reveal his God-given vision. He expressed a great faith in the New Testament teachings of sanctification, the Spirit-filled life, as essential to God's present day plan for man's salvation.

4 The initial Movement of the Church Of God In Christ had its beginning in Lexington, Mississippi and surround- ing towns. His preaching was met with great hostility because of the social and religious changes envisioned. But it did not discourage him nor prevent the rapid expansion of the Church which now embraces millions of communicants throughout the world. Only a true Prophet of God with an unwavering faith and a consistent dedication could have been chosen as the instrument through which such a heavenly vision could have been realized The colorful history of our Church could not have been written without giving proper recogni- tion to our illustrious and God-fearing Founder.

5 This informative Doctrinal and Disciplinary Handbook, so prayerfully and scholastically compiled shall establish guidelines for the conduct of both the ministry and laity of the Church Of God In Christ, International. It is a monu-mental tribute to Bishop Mason and to the innumerable co-laborers who shared his God-given vision. Page # III (Blank page) Page # IV 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In view of the accelerated progress and stupendous achievements inaugurated by the Church Of God In Christ within the last two decades, a new and comprehensive MANUAL embracing the tenets of faith, the doctrine, discipline and liturgy of the Church, commensurate with our present needs, was envisioned by our sagacious Leader, the Honorable Presiding Bishop J.

6 O. Patterson. It is to him that we owe a tremendous and incalculable debt of gratitude for selecting the Editor and for author-izing and encouraging the production of this volume. Without his guidance and direction, we would have been unable to complete such a mammoth task at this time. Elder Clyde Young of Pennsylvania was of great assistance to the Editor in the composition and compilation of this presentation. He spent many hours gathering data, researching, and in conference in bringing this MANUAL to its present status. In preparing this Volume, the Editor had occasion to call upon the assistance of a seasoned member of our General Board, a man of integrity and great spiritual insight, the late Bishop D.

7 Lawrence Williams. His wisdom and constructive criticism was indispensable. The merit and utility of this Volume may be ascribed largely to the indispensable services of Bishop German R. Ross, Secretary to the Presiding Bishop and the Rev. Roy L. H. Winbush, President of the National Publishing Board. The analytical scrutiny of the reliable judgment and discerning eye was responsible for smoothing over many of the rough spots of this MANUAL . The stylistic and orthographic arrangement which reflect a deliberate deci- Page # V 6 sion to preserve the Linguistic acumen and terminology of the Church Of God In Christ may be attributed entirely to these two colorful personalities, nationally known for their astuteness and ingenuity.

8 The task of comparison, critical review end verification involved considerable time, travel and labor. Therefore to them, I am most grateful. Acknowledgement of e very special kind is due Elder Winbush for the excellent appearance of this enhanced OFFICIAL Handbook, the finesse, the expeditious publication as the final step for distribution. The Editor is deeply appreciative to Mr. Melvin Cross who rendered invaluable assistance in the preparation of this MANUAL . His services were unselfish and dedicated. His technological and professional dexterity contributed greatly to the total enhancement of this presentation.

9 Other sources drawn upon included Bishop D. A. Burton, General Secretary of the Church; Dr. Leonard Lovett, President-Director of Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary who shared with us in preparation of the doctrinal position of the Church; Miss Thelma Patrick and Mrs. Janet Ratliff who spent many hours as typists; Miss Mary Ellen Meredith who was responsible for much of the proofreading and final typewritten draft. We especially express our appreciation to all persons who gave of their time and the services needed for the preparation of this edition. Any omissions of contributions made were without prejudice but were due to lack of factual knowledge.

10 THE EDITOR Page # VI 7 FOREWORD Another unique and dramatic moment has arrived in the colorful history of the Church Of God In Christ as we pause to signally celebrate the publication of a profound and provocative production, the first volume in many years of the OFFICIAL MANUAL of the Church Of God In Christ. Several decades have passed since the publication of our first MANUAL which was last amended in 1952. The tremendous expansion of the Church throughout the world, with its accelerated growth and many resulting changes, necessitated a more complete and comprehensive MANUAL .