Due to the many questions about church mothers, here is a forum to post your questions and comments about Church Mothers.
The Church Of God In Christ
THE CHURCH MOTHERS BOARD
NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL
The role of the local church mother is indeed one of great importance and a “must” for a growing church. She is to a pastor in the local church what a wife is to her husband at home.
The day has far passed for a pastor to teach form the pulpit things that women should know. It was never proper, but accepted because of the time. Today, such teaching and instructing would only embarrass and drive out our present-day generation from the church.
Here is a very important task for the local church mother. She should hold monthly meetings with the women of the church and teach them things women should know. This is far more effective through the church mother’s board. This board is made up of a group of seasoned and well-informed women in the church administration. This board shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
They must know their obligations to the church and pastor in order to instruct others. This board shall teach the support of the church and the pastor. The women should be taught community respect and appreciation. Church mothers should most certainly lead and teach along these lines.
The major responsibility is to help build every auxiliary of the Women’s Department in the local church. The church mothers should have fingertip information as to the functions of every auxiliary. They should be able to see to it that they are properly staffed and functioning. A strong church is one that is spirit-filled and well organized. This will not take from the pastor, but will enhance his program and help to build the kingdom of God.
An effective church mother’s board cannot operate without the authority released by the pastor and officers of the church. It is unfair to appoint a chairwoman of the church and tie her hands and the hands of the board. Women who cannot be trusted should not be appointed because the responsibility is too great. A failure in operation will only impede the progress of the church.
There should be a pastor-church mother relationship going on at all times and the pastor should be able to request anything within the reason to the church mother’s board and look for results.
All of the above suggestions must be in harmony with the pastors. Remember it is the pastor’s church and they are the Lords people.
Women’s Handbook – Revised Edition 1989
I Understand that the the role of the church mother,is like that of a wife in the home,but if that be the case,what is the role of the first lady? Besides the obvious of being the pastor’s wife and being supportive of her husband,what other roles do she play?
Historically in our denomination, the Church Mother was always the head of the women’s work in the local church. The Church Mother was empowered to organize, supervise and direct the women’s ministries of the local congregation in collaboration with, and by the side of her local Pastor, the in the same manner that the District Missionary was charged to work with her District Superintendent, and the State Mother was charged to work with her State Overseer or Bishop, and the General Mother was charged to work with the Senior or Presiding Bishop of the entire international body. At the inception of our church, there was no such thing as a “president” or “coordinator” or “chairlady” of the local Women’s Department separate and apart from the Church Mother, who presided over all the women of the church– it was totally unheard of. The Church Mother WAS the literal and de facto head of the Women’s Department (or Women’s Work as it was called at that time) and was considered second to none, other than to the Pastor and Elders, and in some churches the Deacons.
In those cases where she was not also the Pastor’s wife, she worked in unity and cooperation with the First Lady of the local church to promote and implement the mission and vision of the Women’s Department – just as the District Missionary works with the First Lady of the District, and the Jurisdictional Supervisor works with the First Lady of the Jurisdiction, and the International Supervisor works with the wife of the Presiding Bishop. This arrangement, when properly maintained, has served our denomination very well over the years, with the Church Mother being the spiritual and administrative leader of the women’s work in the local church, and the First Lady working supportively with her husband in developing and overseeing the more general affairs of the ministry church-wide (such as providing leadership in the areas of outreach, soul-winning and discipleship, missions, Christian education, youth and music). There should never be a conflict of interest nor of personalities between the Church Mother and the First Lady. They each have very specific roles to play in the ongoing development of the church.
Originally, the Church Mother received her mandate from the State Mother to organize and establish the auxiliaries and units of the Women’s Department under the leadership of the Pastor in her local assembly. Smart Pastors who knew and understood the importance of the women’s work would seek the advice of his State Mother regarding who to appoint for such a task, and if there was no qualified sister present, or if his wife was unable or unwilling to fulfill the role, another qualified, spiritually mature missionary from a well established church would be sent to help the new Pastor “dig out” the work and teach the new female converts the way of holiness as Mother of the church.
In the early days of the Holiness movement, the Church Mother was almost considered an “Assistant Pastor” of sorts, even though that title would never have been used for her in our denomination. She was usually the most spiritually seasoned Saint in the church, and in many cases, the most prayerful and consecrated. In most of our churches, and throughout Holiness churches in general, she exercised a great deal of authority in the affairs of the local body. In the absence of a male Minister or Elder, many Pastors would leave the Church Mother in charge of the work when he was out town or away from church services. When the Pastor was away it was usually the Church Mother who would “teach” on Sunday mornings, bringing the official message of the day.
The Church Mother often was the one who organized and led the daily prayer services in the church, and was almost always the one who led and conducted the powerful 3, 7, 10 and 14 day shut-ins our church became renowned for. She was most likely the main channel of information regarding the District, State and National women’s work, and could usually be counted upon to attend and represent her local church at the various Convocations and Women’s Day services of the body. It was her duty to organize and lead the women in raising finances for the ministry, and many of our buildings and sanctuaries were built and purchased because of the long and untiring labor, and personal generosity of the Church Mother. Much of the one-on-one counseling of the Saints, especially as it related to women’s affairs, was done by the Church Mother, and many Pastors would not even think of calling a sister into his “study” for counseling without the presence of his Church Mother or his wife.
Any issue of discipline involving any female (single, married, young or old) of the church, whether it was regarding appropriate attire or dress codes, marital duties and family responsibilities, personal hygiene, immorality or immodesty, behavior or decorum in worship services, unfaithfulness or irregular church attendance – even matters regarding tithing and giving – would be dealt with and resolved by the Church Mother. In most cases Pastors left those decisions entirely to her, and would back her up when she had to correct or set in order one of “her daughters”. Church Mothers were very strict in enforcing the rules of the church, and in following the instructions of the Pastor. They rigorously guarded the reputation of the church, never wanting a “reproach” to be brought upon the House of God or God’s People. Obedience to the Lord and to leadership was the central focus of their life and message, and most often, they were the persons who exemplified it best. In those days Pastors trusted their Church Mothers, and believed that their godly, feminine wisdom and seasoned insight as holy women of the Lord were of great value to the church, and only enhanced the spiritual growth and development of the Saints. Of course, during that day, Church Mothers could be counted upon to be completely devoted to their Pastor, and was usually the most faithful and dedicated member of the church.
In many cases during the early days of our movement, when a Pastor founded and “preached out” his own church or mission (as opposed to being appointed and sent by his Bishop to an existing congregation), his wife would serve in the capacity of Church Mother. Many First Ladies, who were seasoned in the way of holiness and well versed in the work of the Church of God in Christ, labored by the side of their husbands as co-founders, and helped to “pray-out” and establish new churches. Often, at the start of a new mission, the Pastor’s wife was the only Holy Ghost filled missionary or laywoman qualified to serve as a Mother-in-Zion, and many did so in spite of their youthfulness or chronological age. They performed all the duties that any other Mother would in the church and yet remained true to their role and responsibilities as a “help-met” for their husbands. This often proved quite difficult, because the Church Mother, by definition, is usually seen as a firm and strict disciplinarian, or in some cases like a “drill sergeant”; while the Pastor’s wife must be considered as a healing and comforting agent in the church, applying the soothing balm of wisdom after the necessary harshness that often comes with a word of correction or rebuke from her husband the Pastor. It was not easy for a Pastor’s wife to effectively fulfill both roles, but, by the grace of God, many did so. However, once those founding First Ladies “folded their tents” and went to sleep in Jesus, other women were appointed to the office of Church Mother, who, in most cases, were not also the Pastor’s wife. It was in this manner that the very different roles of Church Mother and Pastor’s wife were kept distinctly separate for many years and over several generations in our denomination, even though both are strong and important positions of female authority in the church.
In this so-called “enlightened and progressive” age of the church, the prominence and importance of the work, mission, and purpose of the Department of Women, as it was originally envisioned and established by the founder, Bishop C. H. Mason, and those pioneering Patriarchs and Matriarchs who assisted him in building this great work, has been significantly diminished. The Women’s Department, which in its hey-day was almost considered a “church within a church”, has now been downsized and reduced in status to just another general “Auxiliary” of the national church. It is because of this drastic and unprecedented change in the way the fundamental structure of our denomination is now ordered, that most of our churches today (especially the newly formed ones) no longer have an official Church Mother functioning within the local body as head of the Department of Women. That is why there are so many questions and misunderstandings regarding this most basic and fundamental of all of our local leadership positions. Most of our younger Pastors do not even know the history, importance, purpose or role of the Church Mother in the local congregation, nor do they attempt to find out, and therefore her work goes unfulfilled or is divided up inappropriately among several different offices.
Because of this lack of knowledge and understanding, many Pastors mistakenly create some type of position such as “president” or “chairlady” or “coordinator” of the Women’s Department, in which they will appoint their wives or another sister in the church to serve. This person will usually only be charged with the planning and organization of the Annual Women’s Day or a similar once-a-year observance, and will usually not have full control or supervision over all of the units and auxiliaries that comprise the entire Department of Women. They will most certainly not have the authority to enforce discipline among the sisters, as has been the role of the Church Mother since the inception of our denomination. Ironically, there is usually at the same time, a “President of the Mother’s Board”, who may or may not be considered the actual “Church Mother”, but whose authority is usually severely limited to just those senior women that carry the honorific of “Mother” and serve on the Board with her. This method, of course, is totally out of order and is a contradiction of the historical, biblical and traditional practices of the Church of God in Christ.
Unfortunately, and to our own undoing, the original concept of the woman’s role and work in the church, and the purpose and function of an organized women’s ministry, which was so effective in igniting, developing and maintaining our entire movement, has been abandoned in the name of change and modernity. Even the sainted and venerated office of General Mother no longer carries the same automatic reverence and respect as it once did, not because of anything lacking on the part of the persons holding it, but because our contemporary leadership seems to think that such a high and holy office, and the authority and honor that goes with it, is obsolete and is no longer needed in today’s church. And this change has greatly affected the way in which the office of local Church Mother and every other top level office of the Women’s Department is currently viewed and defined. Our modern-day leaders no longer wish to acknowledge the elevated role of the Women’s Department, which for many years carried the full weight of the national church, organizationally and financially, on its shoulders. Many of the ministries and efforts that we see being implemented on the international scene today had their birth and genesis in the Women’s Department. Much of the international outreach, institutional development, church growth and discipleship, leadership training and organizational management of our church was being fulfilled by strong, skilled, competent and committed Mothers-in-Zion as a part of the Women’s Department long before most of the brethren even comprehended the importance of such things.
The Women’s Department was never to be just another “auxiliary” of the church in the same way that the Sunday School Congress and the Music Department were just auxiliaries. It was to be a micro-model of what the entire work of the church could accomplish – a “road map” for ministry, if you please. It was to be both the “boot camp” and the “front lines” for the church. It was the boot camp because it trained, equipped and prepared the majority of a church’s members (the women and children) for the work of the Kingdom (i.e. the Sunshine Band, Purity Class, Prayer & Bible Band, YWCC, Minister’s Wives Circle, etc.); it was the front lines because it sent those members of the church, now trained and equipped for ministry, out to the front of the battle and into the field where real Kingdom work takes place (i.e. the Burners for Africa, Home & Foreign Mission, Missionary Board, National Evangelists, Deaconess Board, Sewing Circle, We-12, etc.).
Since the majority of the membership of any given church is always women and children, it is logical to believe that if you have a well organized, very spiritual, deeply consecrated and consistently functioning women’s group, with a strong program to train, teach and involve the children of the church, you can’t help but have a strong, anointed, well organized, growing and thriving church overall. Bishop Mason knew this to be true, and that is why he sought out a strong, skilled, spiritual and capable woman of God, such as Mother Lizzie Robinson, and empowered her to organize, lead and oversee not only all of the women of the denomination, but the entire work of all the women’s ministries for the whole movement. Such a broad mandate could never be reduced and contained in just an “auxiliary” of the church, and so that is why the Department of Women historically held an elevated, or primary role within the structure of the church, above all the other organized groups, units and departments.
In addition to this concept, the exalted status of the Women’s Department allowed for the leadership contributions of females in ministry, since women were not permitted the traditional roles of church leadership as ordained Elders, Pastors and Bishops, offices which are reserved by church law for men only. The Department of Women, as we once knew it, gave the ladies of the Lord a platform on every level of church governance – local, district, state and international – to exercise their gifts and talents for leadership and ministry among themselves and under their own authority, without the encumbrance of the biblical prohibition placed against women leading men. Until recent times, the General Supervisor of Women made ALL appointments of women to national office, even those in other departments, such as the International Sunday School Field Representative and the International Elect Lady of the Evangelism Department. She also selected and appointed her own choice of women to the office of State Supervisor. The same held true of the State Supervisor, who, until this modern era, always appointed her own cabinet and all of her District Missionaries. Today’s Bishops and Superintendents now reserve that privilege to themselves.
Each head of the women’s work at every level (local, district, state/jurisdictional and international) was at one time considered the female counterpart to the male leader of the overall church. Both leaders together – Pastor/Church Mother, District Superintendent/District Missionary, State Bishop /State Supervisor, Presiding Bishop / General Mother– were considered joint overseers of the area of the work they were responsible for. They labored together, they traveled together, and they built the work of the Lord together. Dad Mason himself set it up that way. He modeled it in complete and total concurrence with the God-ordained biblical order of the family – the “father” and “mother” united together in dual leadership of the household, with the father as “priest, protector, provider and presider” over all. That was the way God established it in the Garden of Eden, and that was the COGIC way for many years, when we stayed true to the paths blazed by our founding forefathers and foremothers.
For many, many years you never saw Bishop Mason or his immediate successors without the presence of the General Mother, his female counterpart in the order of the church. In most states, when you saw the State Overseer or State Bishop you also saw the State Mother with him on his official trips or in his official capacity as leader of state work. The same could be said at one time of the Superintendent and District Missionary, and the local Pastor and Church Mother. They served together as a team. That is why, throughout the entire history of the church until recently, you never saw the image and/or the name and title of the Chief Apostle without also seeing right below it or adjacent to it, the image and/or name and title of the International Supervisor of Women. This was standard procedure for all printed programs, books, banners, badges, flyers, brochures, correspondence, etc throughout the denomination, regardless of the type of event or gathering. The two names and titles were ALWAYS listed together.
The same procedure was also standard practice, without fail, at the state, district and local levels, and in every department and auxiliary as well. The Chairlady or Field Representative is always listed along with the President of any department, and she is often recognized as his top deputy. These days you seldom see the General Supervisor’s name and title listed along side the Presiding Bishop’s anymore. Her name is now placed inappropriately with the other national heads of regular auxiliaries. It is a grave breech of protocol and a grievous sign of disrespect. And we, as a denomination, are the lesser for it. In addition, for many years, the majority of our local churches always listed the Church Mother’s name along with the Pastor’s on the church building sign and church letterhead, and some churches still do today. The same was true for “State Temples” and “Jurisdictional Headquarters.” The Supervisor’s name was always on the building along with the State Bishop. In most cases it was her hard work and long labor which raised the funds to build or purchase the edifice in the first place.
Although much has changed, and we are the weaker for it, there yet remains a long and proud legacy of women in church leadership at every level. The office of Church Mother was a vital tool in the hand of the Potter who molded and shaped our denomination into the powerful and dynamic force in the Kingdom of God that it once was. We desperately need that tool again today. If we are to see true revival and a latter-day refreshing of the church, in which the unrestrained, unrestricted power of the Holy Ghost is unleashed upon us in showers of His Shekinah Glory, we must get back to the pattern that our pioneers left us. In this hour of extreme carnality, sensuality, immorality, worldliness, and immodesty, the women of the church need the strong and uncompromising leadership of the “Church Mother” to guide them back to true holiness, and to the altar of prayer, fasting, consecration, sanctification and obedience. Fulfilling the role of the Mother-in-Zion as Jeremiah instructed, “…teach your daughters wailing.” Jeremiah 9:20. The Church Mother, praying, travailing and laboring in the vineyard by the side of the Pastor. This was the distinct manner in which the Lord gave Bishop Mason to uniquely structure and establish the order of the Church of God in Christ, with the Mother prayerfully supervising all of the Daughters in her respective domain, and the Shepherd overseeing the Brethren and presiding over the entire body as the head (under Christ) of all. May God help us, and lead us back to His perfect will.
Who should prepare the Lords supper? Should the pastors and elders wives, or should the missionaries and mothers.
(The Pastor is in charge of the Lord’s Supper, he can use who he wants to help – submited by the editor)
Is it appropriate for the mothers to address the pastor or elders by their first name over the pulpit? Is it appropriate for the mothers to dictate to the pastor or elders who they think should be allowed to open,close or preach? Is the first lady under the church mother?
Praise the Lord. I would like to address my questions, concern to Mother Rivers. Mother, I believe in Holiness like the Bible says. And, I believe you will tell me the truth. Mother Rivers, help me understand how a Holy Woman should conduct herself. I look for Godly examples of women as I grow in the Lord. I do not want to be loud, talking to the Elders and minster out of order, dressing to impress instead of being Holy unto the Lord. Often times I am told I am old fashion and out of date. I am told these things by those that profess holiness. I am not going to act unseemingly. I just need some wisom from a seasoned Mother that shows forth fruit of meekness and holiness. Even elder women are now acting up worse than the young ones. I want to be saved Mother. I want to be holy. I will listen you. Thank you Mother.
Traditionally, in our denomination, the Mothers of the church have been the designated women who were responsible for the preparation of the Lord’s Supper, as well as those who assisted the Pastor and Elders in serving it. In those congregations where there were no Sisters who officially held the office of Mother, or where there was no organized Mother’s Board, experienced, seasoned Missionaries fulfilled that role. That practice remains the same in most of our churches even on today. However, since the restructuring of the office of Missionary into duel categories, the Evangelist-Missionary and the Deaconess Missionary, as well as the reinstitution of the Deaconess Board as an official unit of the Department of Women by our beloved 5th General Supervisor, the late Mother Emma Crouch, many of our churches now delegate the sacred and highly important duties of Sacrament preparation to the Deaconess-Missionaries or the Deaconess Board of the Church. This method is also correct and very much in order.
Contrary to what some new or novice Pastors may allow in their assemblies, it is not the practice of the Church of God in Christ for Minister’s Wives or Elder’s Wives only to prepare or assist in Communion, unless they are also Mothers or Deaconess-Missionaries. Those congregations that follow this practice are out of order, and are using a form of procedure for the Lord’s Supper that is unsanctioned by tradition or church policy.
I must prayerfully disagree with the Editor of this forum, who wrote in her answer that a Pastor should choose whomever he pleases to perform this holy task. In the Church of God in Christ, Sacrament preparation, along with assisting female candidates for water baptism, has always been a part of the historical and traditional ministry of the Mothers-in-Zion or senior Missionaries, and under the authority and jurisdiction of the Church Mother. This is another one of the unfortunate results of Pastor’s being totally unfamiliar with the Women’s Work as it was originally established by our pioneers, and as it is still prescribed in our manual even now. Many of our new Pastors have no clue as to how the local women’s ministry is to operate and function in the Church of God in Christ and that is why much of the work and labor of the church remains undone, or is half done, or, even worse, is done out of order.
As Pastors, who have been entrusted with the torch of leadership in our Body, we must maintain the historic practices and distinctions of our own denomination’s faith and beliefs if we wish to legitimately consider ourselves “Church of God in Christ.” While I do not maintain that denominationalism is essential to salvation, nor is it necessary to be in a denomination in order to be a part of the Body of Christ, I do adamantly contend and believe that, if as a Pastor, you willingly choose to be a part of an organized, covenanted, fellowship of believers, who have set forth a prescribed method of church governance and practice, you should structure your church and ministry accordingly and conform to the manner and tradition already established. Otherwise, just ahead and launch out on your own and consider your ministry an “independent” church if you are going to just ignore over 100 years of successful church practice in order to do things your own way.
With regard to who supersedes the other, the Church Mother or the First Lady, this issue was settled many years ago under the administration of our 2nd General Supervisor, the late Mother Lillian Coffey, who often stated very clearly in her deliberations (in the presence, and with approval, of Bishop Mason and the other Prelates of the church) that the Church Mother was “in charge” of ALL the women in the congregation, even the Pastor’s wife. Since, according to our structure, the Church Mother is to the Pastor what the wife is to a husband in the home, there can be no higher female authority than the Church Mother in the congregation, just as the wife is the highest female authority in her home under her husband. There should NEVER be another woman in a home who is higher than the wife or mother, regardless of who she is and what relation she may have with the husbandman of the house. To do so is to bring utter confusion, contention, and disorder in the home.
The same holds true for the local church in the Church of God in Christ. The Church Mother presides over the Department of Women, with all of the Sisters in the congregation being her “daughters” and, therefore, is accorded, as a part of the privilege of her office, a higher rank than the First Lady. The same is true at the District, Jurisdictional, and International levels of the church. We all know that the wife of the Presiding Bishop, while she is always accorded great honor, deference and respect, does not outrank the General Mother of the church under any circumstances, and that same pattern of precedence remains unchanged for female leadership throughout the strata of our denomination. At least, that is the way our Founder and the pioneers who built this church established and decreed it. The only time in which this is not true is when the First Lady is also the Church Mother or a District Missionary or Jurisdictional Supervisor; or in a case where she was the Co-Founder of the church, or has previously served in a high ranking Women’s Department office.
Even though in many of our churches today, the First Lady is erroneously exalted above the Church Mother, this is not the manner in which the church was originally ordered. As previously stated in my earlier post, in the infancy of holiness, many Pastor’s wives also served in the duel role as Church Mother; particularly when their husband was the founder of the work. This was especially true when the Pastor and his wife were a “gospel team” and partners in the ministry and they both labored together to “dig out” and establish the work. However, as the church grew and developed, and those founding First Ladies died out, other women were appointed to the office of Church Mother who were not Pastor’s wives. As such, both roles became even more distinct and separate, with their own unique responsibilities, duties and characteristics. When each is performed effectively, as set forth historically and officially by Women’s Department policy, and as maintained by the teachings and wise instruction of the General Mothers of the church, both past and present, there will be no conflict, confusion or discord between the two.
If you disagree, just consider this thought – there is a very good reason why Superintendent’s wives are not the District Missionaries of their husband’s District, Bishop’s wives are not the Supervisor of their husband’s Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and the Presiding Bishop’s wife has never been the International Mother of the church while her husband served as Chief Apostle. Bishop Mason had the wisdom to understand that the roles and functions of each position were different and needed its own area and space within which to work properly and effectively. And if we follow what he set up, our church will never be without an anointed, powerful, holy, Spirit-led, relevant, soul-winning, hell shaking, thriving women’s ministry. This, beloved, is the COGIC way.
PS: I will not even dignify the other questions regarding the manner in which a Mother in the church should address her Pastor or any Shepherd or ecclesiastical leader. Further, it is foolishness to discuss whether a Church Mother should dictate to, or attempt to control her Pastor. All true Mothers-in-Zion and true daughters and disciples of Mother Lizzie Robinson know their place in this church, and the manner in which holy women of the Lord are to conduct themselves in obedience and submission to leadership. Those who walk upon any other path are operating in a spirit of rebellion and witchcraft, which is anathema to a true Holy Ghost-filled Saint of God.
Today it is very difficult to define what is modest apparel. What is the proper dress atire for women confessing holiness in COGIC. I see women with hats and some without. I see women wearing pants. I am not condeming anyone I desire to do what is proper. So what is correct for a layperson to someone who is in office? Than you so much for your time.
Greetings, to our Sainted Mother’s Board Forum.
First, I like to say to our seasoned Mother’s in Zion “God Bless you!”
I read your article of the “THE CHURCH MOTHERS BOARD
NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL” I love it so much I would like your permission to to copy part of it and submit it to our Women’s Dept, in our 1st newsletter, here in So. California 2nd Jurisdiction and to direct them to your website, so they may be able to read more of what you have to offer us and to let them know they will be able to confide in your department.
Thank you for being available to us, so we may be able to all grow in Grace together.
With much Love,
Evang. Mela DeLucas
As a woman who is fourth generation COGIC, modest apparel, in my opinion is anything that keeps you covered, doesnt fit too tight, isnt too high or too low, loud or overbearing…lol.For me, its the ankle lenght skirts, stockings, head wraps, and a decent shoe. Modesty seems to be getting shuffled under the rug theses days.
Who is in charge of the local church in the absence of the pastor? The deacons or the church mother?
Note: There are licensed ministers present.
The Pastor is in-charge if He is there or not. Also, He can choose whoever He wants to be in-charge He is responsible for the church .
Pastor Chris Johnson, webmaster
Thanks Angel
I too love my skirts long. I was having issues with the hat because I choose not to wear a hat that is of costly array. I perfer for the person to see me and not my hat. I’ve seen all ends of the spectrum. And like you said it is getting pushed under the carpet
Supt R.C. Evans
Thank you for your indepth input. We need this kind of training for the mothers and the pastors.
In response to questions of who should and who should not, etc.
From whence come wars and fightings among you. Come they not here, even of your lusts that war in your members? James 4:1
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up. James 4:10.
Whatsoever your hands find to do, do it. If you are never called upon or if it seems as though you are overlooked and your pastor is unlearned – seek God for his help by prayer and fasting; “and this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us” 1st John 4:14.
Seek to please God in your faith and love towards him and towards one another. Seek to please him in your actions, thoughts, and desires, to name a few, so that should you leave here you would have been pleasing to the Lord. If you desire the power and anointing of God wait on him. Remember, God is faithful and he sees all and knows all. He will not forget you. Whenever his timing is right he will bring you forth. The grace of the Lord be with you. Fellow servant in Christ
In response to how women should dress. I believe this is a very timely question because we do see many different dress codes. The Bible teaches us that “Be not deceived: Evil communication corrupts good manners” 1st Corinthians 15:33. Because of a constant entanglement with the world many of God’s people have forgotten the beauty of holiness. Many times we see others imitating the styles and ways of the world. Many of our dresses are too short, our sleeves too short, our blouses too low, and our lips are too red. We are living in a day of rebelliousness against the word of God.
The Bible says Love not the world, neither the THINGS that are in the world. We are also taught to speak the same thing. This is why there is such differences in what we see concerning such things because in this area many are lacking.
God’s concern is that men and women be saved. Therefore, anything that we do, say or wear that becomes a distraction to our witnessing could be considered as not modest. We have such examples in 1st Timothy 2:9-10 that we adorn ourselves not with gold, or pearls, or costly arrays but which becometh women professing godliness. In other words not too much; not overly dressed, not a distraction. There are too many without and we are to exemplify Christ and not all of our costly, flashy apparel. We are to be common in our wear and not overly dressed. The greatest attention is to be given to the Christ who is within us. If one cannot see Christ because one may be improperly dressed or overly dressed I believe God is not pleased.
Finally, Glory to God who saved and set me free. Free from ever desiring to wear a pair of pants and that was 27 years ago. I love what God has done for me. Do you not know that this is one of Satan’s evil tricks to strip God’s women of a beauty that he has given us. I know all women who wear dresses aren’t saved but I also know that all women who are saved do wear dresses. This is satan’s desire to have us be no different from the world. God said “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God” Deut. 22:5.
Pants were originally made for men and therefore they are manlike in that you have to step off into them one leg at a time and then pull a zipper up. There is no such thing as women pants. Pants are for the men to wear. One could argue that women step off into pantyhose. Rightly so but no one can see those. God always put a distinction between his men and women about everything. Let not satan deceive you in this matter. Saintly women be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Amen.
Praise the Lord, saints of God! SO GLAD to be Saved and Holy Ghost filled!
I am also glad to be third generation COGIC and FULLY DELIVERED from the “Holy women don’t wear pants” syndrome that hindered many of our churches from thriving back in the 70’s and 80’s. I always wondered how on earth we could teach so strong against wearing pants and make up and then turn around get happy and go to speaking in tongues while watching women on Christian TV who were dressed in pants and made up to the nines. I mean to tell you, I still get tickled thinking about it!
As we discuss the issue of a dress code for women in COGIC, let us be mindful and respectful of our COGIC pastors, superintendents and bishops. Many of our leaders are now declaring from their pulpits that we (the saints) should cease from bothering people about their clothing.
Love to all the sweet saints.
Thanks for this forum, I love me some COGIC, I do like to see the women dressed as saintified women. Often I look at the Full Gospel
Women, they are keeping up the “Dressing as becoming Holy” look, and I like that look. Call me old fashion and out dated, but I am a diva in my dresses and skirts while maintaining the “Holy Look”. By the By what happened to the COGIC Guest Book?
May the Blessings of the Lord be upon you.
All praises belong to God the head of my life, I enjoyed all the writing that I have readed. I was most move by Supt. R. C. Evans history of the church, takeing me back to my home church Mount Siani Church of God in Chirst under the leadership of the late Bishop G. R. Ross former Perlate of California North Central and General Secretary of the brotherhood. My grandmother the late Eliza Washington was a District Missionary and the way Supt. Evans brought it was the way it was,I can remember traveling fron Church to Church after being in Church from Sunday school to evening service and if she had to teach or speak at another Church we went. The Church is the same Church Bishop Mason set up the people have change it we get back to basic fasting and pray our problem away blieveing of the power of God then I know the Church can and save God people every where. Keep up the good work Supt. Evans keep the faith stay strong and pleas continue to do God will. Mother Rivers be that leader that God call you to be serve God the true and holiness way may God bless you and keep you strong in the Lord and may the Church hear more from you and your Mother of Zion God less the Church and all those who serve the living God.
What is COGIC teaching on divorced women in the ministry? Can one be an Missionary or Evangelist
As an add comment on woman wearing pants they need to take off the t- shirt too, because it was invented for men before the WWI. Also they were invented specifically for the military. If clothing history is the sole determining factor of what constitutes clothing that pertains to a man, then t-shirts must be forbidden as well if consistency is to be maintained. It would seem that in practice, however, those that teach that it is a sin for women to wear pants seem to believe that clothing distinctions only apply to what is worn on the legs while ignoring the obvious about other types of clothing commonly worn by women. In order for the teaching to be consistent, the very reasons cited for prohibiting women from wearing pants would also prohibit women from wearing t-shirts, baseball caps, team jerseys, work boots and any other article of clothing historically worn by men. Taking the concept even further, what of the color pink or blue? Should women also be forbidden to wear blue, or should men forbidden to wear pink, as these colors have historically been associated with the opposite sex? How far should this concept be taken?
It is curious how those that forbid pants on women, based on their idea of separation, never seem to consider the clothing norms in the Bible. Even the most basic study into biblical clothing norms reveals that there was very little distinction between the articles of clothing worn by men and women. Let us remember what God placed on Adam and Eve, God made “coats of skin”.
Let us move from legalism (Pharsee) to the dispensation of grace. If we truly understood what Deuteronomy 22:5 was saying we would see “cross dresser”.
I enjoyed the history and conviction of Supt.R C Evans.Praise God
Legalism, syndromes, concepts, opinions, all of these are out of the discussion; just the word of God alone.
Male ANDDDDDDDD female created he them (Genesis 1:27) and as long as there are male and female gender on this earth God intended that there be a visual, physical distinct difference between the apparel of male and female. “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth (similar) to a man neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord our God.”
There must be in all generations thereafter an onsight recognition as to whether a person is a male or female. God even made the body of a man different from the body of a woman. Bodies wear apparel, therefore, it is sensible knowledge that the apparel that you put on the body must show a difference. From the foundation of the world God’s word has settled this issue. Do what the Lord says do. The world changes. People change but God does not change. Case closed. Praise him!
How can one put the First Lady after the Church Mother…Shouldn’t the First Lady and the Church Mother work together. Furthermore, some “Church Mothers” now days are nothing like the Mothers of Old. I have found in the church where I attend that the young women can go to the church mothers and disrespect leadership and other church mothers, deacons, laymen, etc. Just because they came up the “old time way” does not mean that they are qualified for the position. I wish that while the church is telling the First Ladies how to act and what to do we should take a real look inside our churches and find out what some of the “saintly mothers are doing” Still praying! God bless
Other than the Official Handbook for Department of Women, Is ther a resource that will help me to develop or use already developed Job Descriptions for the Workers within the Women’s work?
It’s interesting that when we look at leadership in the church and see leaders in the women’s department operating in their respective position, we determine that one is above or better than the other. The Church Mother and First Lady should not be at odds or against each other, they should be working together to promote the vision of the pastor, who is the leader. The Church Mother provides a vital role due to her experience, not necessarily because of her coming up in the “old time way.” As leaders of the people of God, we must first realize that we are servants first and foremost and are not to ‘lord’ over the people. We must learn how to work together in harmony, otherwise, we will become the death of our own churches. It seems that the secular world get along better in their positions than we do as Godly people. May God bless.
Missy Cooper, there is a book in the COGIC Bookstore with descriptions of jobs within the women’s department. It was developed a few years ago by Mother McCoo-Lewis. If it’s no longer in the bookstore, I am sure you can write to the her jurisdictional women’s department to obtain a copy.
When God looks at us, He only see filty rags, the Blood of Jesus is the only thing that can make you Holy. If righousness came by the LAW then Christ died in vain. Paul said, we preach Christ and Him crucified and if anyone preach another doctrine let it be accursed to him. Man looks at the outward appearence but God looks on the inside. Listen to Bishop Patterson on youtube title “it’s an inside job”.
Is there an age for women to be on the Mothers Board. We have some women who are in their 40’s and are referred to as mother_______. should they be on the Mothers Board. Is the board for seasoned Saints regardless of age. We need some help in determing the above. We have a wonderful church mother who is now in ill health and we want to assist her as much as possible with us understanding what are the proper things to do. We are purchasing the “Church Mothers Handbook”
What are the requirements on becoming a mother of the church? Is there an allowance for more than one mother of a church? What is the minimum and maximum if any?
Legalism, syndromes, concepts, opinions, all of these are out of the discussion; just the word of God alone.
Church Mother Candidates – Since elder here in 1st Timothy 5:1-2 is applied to both the man and the woman chronologically (years) rather than the head of the church, the same standard that was set for a widow INDEED should be applied (1st Timothy 5:1-10). The distinctions are that the widow indeed HAS BEEN the wife of one husband and has not remarried. The candidate for mother in the church can BE the wife of one husband, not taken under the age of threescore (60), SPIRITUALLY MATURE, SEASONED and PROVEN as described in the above scriptures. You might say a mother indeed. Amen.
Msn. Vivian Burney of Jackson,
God bless and thank you for answering my question,however I am still not clear on the answer to all my questions.
I am curious because there is a 60+, widowed, deaconess that had worked diligently for the church for over 25yrs and I believe that she would be a great candidate to be a church mother, according to 1st Timothy 5:1-10. I was curious to know if maybe the reason that she has not been asked to be a church mother is because there is only one church mother allowed at a time, is that the case? Does the candidate apply or is there a nomination or voting process?
The Pastor can appoint anyone He deans for Church Mother, also a church can have several women with the title of Mother in the church. Which in turn will create a Mothers Board.
Pastor Chris Johnson, webmaster
% WIC
Dad Mason use to tell us to know the God of the Bible. If and when we fully know HIM we will also be able to know the enemy. You never see the big foxes or bears destroying the vines. Its the LITTLE foxes, the little NO HARM things that will cause us to miss the rapture and live in the Temple of God forever.
Greetings, Saints of The True And Living God:
Much space has been dedicated to the COGIC Church Mother. Certainly, it is a worthwhile albeit sensitive discussion. As a third-generation COGIC member, I appreciate much of Superintendent Evans’ in-depth narrative about the traditionally prescribed role and responsibilities of the COGIC Church mother. I wish to, however, respectfully address his reference to the Pastor’s wife also serving in the role of Church Mother. Although I consent that some local Pastors did select their wives to fulfill the powerful role of Church Mother, it was done primarily to fulfill an immediate need in the early work of the Women’s work as churches were being established or “worked out” and as a matter of convenience—an exception to the rule, if you please— as it was never the intent, policy, or practice of Bishop Mason or the original National Mothers to have First Ladies serving as the Church Mother within her local congregation. A thorough examination of the documents of Bishop Mason and the founding policies, procedures, and practices of early pioneers in the Women’s work bear this out. “Too much power in one house” was the constant refrain from Bishop Mason and the National Mothers whenever an uninformed Pastor, Superintendent, or Bishop would express his desire to elevate his wife to the position of local Church Mother, District Missionary, or State/Jurisdictional Supervisor. To the point, the Church Mother has the power (as given by her pastor) and the First Lady has the honor (by virtue of her marriage to the pastor) in the local house. The two roles were and are different, but few have the courage to address it openly for fear of being silenced. Of course, this is not to suggest that a First Lady who is otherwise qualified should be discouraged from membership on the local Church Mother’s Board because there was and is no such prohibition. The First Lady simply was not THE CHURCH MOTHER. Bishop Mason and the early women pioneers who established the Women’s Work and its successor, the Department of Women, wisely appreciated that, sometimes, First Ladies may be (real or perceived) the problem in the local congregations, and it is never wise to go to the Pastor and expect a favorable audience if the nature of one’s issue is the First Lady who also serves in the dual capacity of Church Mother. Likewise, a member cannot approach the Church Mother about a concern they may have about the local church if the First Lady is the Church Mother for she will assuredly confide it to the Pastor (i.e., husband). Pillow talk is real.
Although this may not be among the most eloquent of replies to the discussion on the COGIC Church Mother, I pray some will appreciate what Bishop Mason and others meant by “too much power in one house” for such complicates and challenges local ministries, especially women in ministry. It would be wonderful to restore the role, honor, and privileges resident in the Church Mother to days of yore, but alas, a mighty wind has blown the COGIC into an altogther different direction, and it is difficult to find the old landmark when so much dust has obscured it.
I enjoyed all the comments, especially Supt. Evans and Evang. McClelland. I would like to know Evang. McClelland if you have any of that material with reference to “too much power in one house”? I think that was a much needed point in the forum.
In the article “The Mothersboard Forum” it states women who can not be trusted should not be appointed to the mothersboard. what does it mead those who can’t be trusted, ae they saved?.
TO MSN VIVIAN BURNEY OF JACKSON, MS
I was with you all the way up until “Free from ever desiring to wear a pair of pants…”. This is not freedom…not freedom in Christ anyway. The only thing I could do was cringe when you wrote:
“…but I also know that all women who are saved do wear dresses.” Who told you that?!?
John 3:16 proves that your statement is pure blasphemy, ma’am! Salvation does not come by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ, NOT through doctrines and legalism.
“One could argue that women step off into pantyhose. Rightly so but no one can see those.”
So, holiness is only determined by what we can see? Does this mean that only in the presence of others are we to appear holy, but when we get behind closed doors – anything goes? No disrespect, but I think it’s totally absurd to hold fast to traditions that have NO bearing on salvation. This practice keeps people in bondage and bound by man’s insecurities and hang-ups. If we continue to focus on Jesus, then, EVERYTHING – what we wear, what we eat, what we say – will fall in line with THE WORD OF GOD and not man’s issues with what they WANT the Word of God to mean.
To my fellow writer Eric,
I read your response to my previous elaborations about the dress code of women of holiness in particularly wearing pants.
I am going to answer you according to God’s own written word only It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. You exemplify flattery wisdom but the only problem with such knowledge is that you left out the most important factor – God’s word itself. When Jesus was faced with questions of misunderstandings by man on certain subjects he took them back to the beginning. As in such when the Pharisees questioned him about marriages and divorces Jesus said “in the beginning it was not so”. Likewise I want you to go back with me to the beginning of what [[GOD]] said on this subject of what you wrote about in your piece. Your Bible says “… with all thy getting get an understanding”. It also says that ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free; this is real freedom. God’s word is the truth. We are not talking concepts, opinions, legalism, false doctrines or mans’ traditions.
In the beginning God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them and as long as there are male and female on God’s earth he wants there to be a visual, physical, natural difference between male and female; in other words he wants what we wear to make difference. “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 22:5). Mind you this was written before any of mans’ opinions or any such secular views got out. Rather than a disrespect to me it is a disregard for the spoken word of God. God would have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1st Timothy 2:4).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
To Umeka Lewis,
Back on February 24, 2010 you asked me for clarification about my remarks that I had written on February 16, 2010. I do not know how I missed this. Please forgive me for my oversight. In reference to your concern about one whom you think would be a great candidate for church mother the Bible in Proverbs 18:16 has declared that “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Those good works that you do see and have seen done by this individual will not be forgotten as God who neither sleep nor slumber saw her works first. “For God is not unrigtheous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).
Your pastor who also sees is to have the spiritual judgment when appointing one or many as church mother. It is not an ecclesiastical title nor position that God is seeking from us rather our willingness and faithfulness. If never a church mother she becomes Ecclesiastes 9:10 teaches us that “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Continuing to work is of the essence. Jesus said “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelations 2:10). It is very admiral that you would find such qualities in a person. However, it is at the pastor’s spiritual discretion for such an appointment. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Amen.
OldPathsChurchofGodinChrist.com
Since I have been saved. The dress code has been an issue. I came fresh off the streets into the church. I was filled with the Holy Ghost with nail polish on my toes. I am not saying this to promote nail polish wearing, but I think we need to agree whether or not pants is a sin or not. (which is not) Our military women are required to where them. We cannot hide behind the Word of God on this issue. This is not an immoral issue that has gotten out of control, but an obession that requires a yes or no answer. I feel we cannot dictate to people what they can and cannot where, but we can be an example how they should look. I also feel if you train and give the right guidance, people will follow. If someone would have come to me when I first got saved and told me all the do’s and don’t’s I would have not been here today. The scripture says, let your yea, be yea and your nay be nay. People are confused what they can and cannot do when it come to the pants issue. To me it seem like we cannot give a straight answer on this issue. We are losing good people behind this issue. Someone needs to stand up be straightforward with answer that makes sense. I feel the reason we come it with this issue all the time because people are confuse on the issue because you hear one say it’s wrong, and another say it’s not. Which one is it? This should be in on our prayer agenda for the Lord to give us guidance on…sounds like a good idea to me.
My dearly beloved sister,
When the children of Israel thought it was best for them to no longer listen to God and took matters in their own hands to go back to Egypt (old ways, old habits, and self-conceptions) God spoke. God asked them a question – whose words shall stand his or our’s.
Jeremiah 44:28: “Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or their’s.
Jeremiah 44:29: And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the Lord, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil.” Be thus minded. Amen.