If you’ve ever stepped into a Holy Convocation or watched a high-stakes jurisdictional meeting, you know the atmosphere is electric. But behind the soul-stirring worship and the sea of black suits and clerical collars, there’s a massive organizational machine humming along. At the heart of that machine is the General Board of the Church of God in Christ. People often get confused about how power actually flows in a Pentecostal denomination with millions of members. It’s not just about one person at the top making every single call. It’s a collective. A dozen men.
The General Board is basically the executive branch of the COGIC. Think of them as the Cabinet or the Board of Directors for a global spiritual corporation. They manage the affairs of the church when the General Assembly isn't in session. They’re the ones making sure the vision set by the Presiding Bishop actually happens on the ground in thousands of churches across the globe.
What the General Board of the Church of God in Christ actually does
Power in the COGIC is a balancing act. You have the General Assembly, which is the "supreme legislative body," and then you have the General Board. The Board is composed of twelve bishops, including the Presiding Bishop. These men are elected by the General Assembly to four-year terms.
They aren't just figureheads.
They handle the heavy lifting of ecclesiastical governance. If a bishop in a specific jurisdiction is facing disciplinary issues, the General Board steps in. If there’s a major financial decision regarding the headquarters at Mason Temple in Memphis, they’re the ones debating it. They act as a judicial body in many ways, interpreting the constitution of the church and ensuring that the various departments—from the Sunday School Publishing Board to the Missions Department—are actually doing what they're supposed to do.
Honestly, it’s a lot of bureaucracy, but it’s necessary for a denomination that has grown from a small group in Mississippi to a global powerhouse. Without this board, the COGIC would likely have fractured decades ago into a thousand tiny pieces.
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The election process is more intense than you think
Every four years, the "Quadrennial" happens. It’s basically the Olympics of church politics. Delegates from all over the world descend on Memphis (or whatever city is hosting) to cast their votes. To get onto the General Board of the Church of God in Christ, a bishop has to have a serious track record. You don’t just wake up and decide to run for the Board.
You need a base.
You need to have served as a Jurisdictional Bishop, usually for years, showing that you can grow a region, manage finances, and stay loyal to the denomination’s doctrine. The campaigning is subtle but real. It’s about relationships. It’s about who has been there for the smaller churches and who has a vision for the future of the "Grand Old Church." When the votes are tallied, the top twelve vote-getters form the board.
The Presiding Bishop is then chosen from among those twelve. This creates a unique dynamic. The leader of the entire church is "first among equals." He has to lead, but he also has to build consensus with the other eleven men who, in many cases, have their own massive followings and influence. If the Presiding Bishop wants to take the church in a new direction, he’s got to get the Board on his side first.
Life at Mason Temple and beyond
While the spiritual heart of the COGIC is often found in the local "Storefront" churches or the massive "Cathedrals" in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, the administrative heart is in Memphis, Tennessee. The General Board meets regularly to oversee the sprawling interests of the church.
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We’re talking about:
- International missions in over 100 countries.
- Educational institutions like All Saints University.
- Massive real estate holdings.
- The logistical nightmare of organizing conventions that draw 30,000+ people.
It’s easy to look at the colorful robes and the ceremony and forget that these men are essentially managing a multi-million dollar nonprofit enterprise. They have to worry about insurance, legal compliance, and social justice initiatives. Under the leadership of men like the late Bishop C.H. Mason, the focus was on the "Pentecostal fire." Today, the General Board of the Church of God in Christ has to keep that fire burning while also navigating the complexities of 21st-century tax codes and digital ministry.
Why the "Twelve" matters for the average member
You might wonder why a person sitting in a pew in rural Georgia should care about what twelve bishops are doing in a boardroom. The truth is, the General Board sets the tone for the entire denomination. When they issue a proclamation on social issues or change the "Blue Book" (the church’s manual), it eventually trickles down to the local level.
They are the guardians of the doctrine.
In a world where many churches are moving away from traditional holiness standards, the General Board is the anchor. They ensure that the COGIC remains "sanctified." They protect the legacy of Bishop Mason while trying to make the church relevant to Gen Z. It’s a tightrope walk. If they lean too far into tradition, they lose the youth. If they lean too far into modernism, they lose the "Old Landmarks" that define the church.
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Misconceptions about the Board's power
A lot of people think the General Board is an autocracy. That’s just not true. They are strictly bound by the COGIC Constitution. If the General Assembly—which includes pastors and laypeople—votes down a proposal, the Board has to listen.
It’s a system of checks and balances.
There have been times in COGIC history where the General Assembly and the General Board were at odds. These moments are tense. They involve floor fights, parliamentary maneuvers, and long nights of debate. It’s a very democratic process for a church that is often perceived as being purely hierarchical. The Board is accountable to the people who elected them. If they fail to lead effectively, they can be—and sometimes are—voted out during the next Quadrennial.
The current landscape of leadership
Right now, the Board is dealing with a world that looks very different than it did even ten years ago. The post-pandemic reality has hit every denomination hard. The General Board of the Church of God in Christ is currently looking at how to maintain physical headquarters while expanding their digital footprint. They are also navigating the generational shift as older bishops retire and a younger, more tech-savvy group of leaders begins to rise through the ranks.
Bishop J. Drew Sheard, the current Presiding Bishop, leads a board that includes veterans and newer faces. Their task isn't just to "keep the lights on." They are tasked with the spiritual health of millions. That means addressing mental health, economic empowerment in Black communities, and international expansion in places like Brazil and Africa.
Actionable steps for engaging with COGIC governance
If you're a member or just a curious observer of church history, here is how you can actually keep up with what's happening at the top level of the Church of God in Christ:
- Read the Whole Truth Magazine: This is the official organ of the church. It’s where the General Board often publishes their official stances and reports. It’s the best way to see the "official" version of church business.
- Attend the General Assembly Sessions: These are open to members. If you want to see the General Board in action, you have to watch the legislative sessions during the Holy Convocation. It’s where the "sausage is made."
- Study the COGIC Constitution: Most people argue about church politics without actually reading the bylaws. If you want to understand what the Board can and cannot do, get a copy of the official manual.
- Follow Official COGIC Media: The denomination has become much better at live-streaming board reports and town hall meetings. Watching these will give you a sense of the personality and priorities of each board member.
- Monitor Jurisdictional Reports: Since each member of the General Board also usually leads a jurisdiction, looking at how they run their "home base" tells you a lot about how they govern at the national level.
The General Board remains one of the most powerful bodies in Black Christendom. Their decisions influence not just theology, but the social and political fabric of the communities they serve. Understanding them is the only way to truly understand where the COGIC is headed next.