Dear Saints,
This week, a horrific earthquake in Haiti resulted in the loss of many lives and has devastated the nation. The need 
by people in Haiti is so great, that the Church Of God In Christ community must jump into the relief effort. It is imperative that our congregations around the world show forth the compassion of Christ as the local government cannot effectively respond by itself. We must take into consideration the portion of the gospel where Jesus said I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink, and I was naked and you gave me clothes, at this time we are the hands, feet and mouth of Christ, so we must try to be Christ-like. We are blessed when we can help others, therefore, the least that we can do is share the blessings that God has given to us.
With thousands of lives lost, and thousands homeless and without food following the devastation by the earthquake, the members of the Church Of God In Christ need to step up to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Therefore, I make an earnest appeal to all members of the Church Of God In Christ to make donations immediately. You can make your contribution payable to COGIC Charities Relief Fund , which has been designed to assist the church in responding to this and other disasters of this magnitude. Please mail all contributions to P.O. Box 38 Memphis, TN 38101 – 0038. We desire to receive all contributions on or before Friday, January 29, 2010. Further information and electronic donations can be made by visiting cogic.org.
Our Presiding Bishop, Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. has appointed a Rapid Response Team that will be on the grounds in Haiti as early as Friday, January 15th to make assessments so that The Church Of God In Christ will have first hand information. We are grateful for his vision and leadership and urge the full support and participation of all COGIC members. Working collaboratively we can impact the lives of many who have been affected by this tragedy. Let’s to continue to pray for God’s strength, guidance and comfort during these trying times.
In His Service,
Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr.
General Secretary
Church Of God In Christ
The Summer Session of the Bishop Herbert J. Williams Seminars concluded Thursday, July 2nd after providing both information and inspiration to jurisdictional secretaries from around the world. Seminars held during the 2nd and 3rd days included the following:
Wednesday, July 1st
I Quit: Have You Been Called or Drafted – Dr. Bernard Reese
Ten Ways to Be a More Successful Jurisdictional Secretary – Mrs. Linda Wilkins/Ms. Mary Walls
Maintaining a Godly Atmosphere – Dr. Carl E. King, St.
New Secretaries Training – Supt. Curtis T. Schley
Regional Coordinators Training _ Supt. Eddie Whitelaw
Thursday, July 2nd
2009 Loyalty Campaign – Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop
2009 Preparation, Guidelines and Deadlines – Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr., General Secretary
Bridging the Digital Divide – Evangelist Lisa Morgan
2010 Census – Elder William N. Ward
Jurisdictional secretaries benefited from the wealth of information provided and left inspired to exhibit a “Spirit of Excellence” and “Move from Good to Great” as expressed by this year’s theme.
The following presentation(s) are available for download:
Maintaining-a-Godly-Atmosphere – Dr. Carl E. King, Sr.
2010 Census – Elder William Ward
The Annual Bishop Herbert J. Williams Seminars Summer Session held its opening meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 during the Annual AIM Convention in Tampa, Florida. Under the direction of COGIC General Secretary, Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr., the goal of this year’s seminars is to provide resources and information to each jurisdictional secretary that will assist them in creating a climate for excellence and to help them to perform at the highest leve. The theme for this year is “A Spirit of Excellence: Moving from Good to Great.”
The session gathered with refreshments courtesy of the Florida and Georgia secretaries. Superintendent Curtis T. Schley, Special Assistant to the General Secretary lead the delegates in a period of devotion and Superintendent William Gaylord gave greetings on behalf of the local secretaries. The official opening was facilitated by General Secretary Lyles, who greated the delegates and detailed information critical to the operations of the secretariat.
Superintendent Talbert W. Swan, II, Assistant General Secretary, facilitated the opening seminar, entitled, “Being an Effective Administrator.” Superintendent Swan was followed by First Lady Vell Lyles, who facilitated “Effective Data Base Management.” The sessions concluded with sessions facilitated by Superintendent Curtis Schley, “New Secretaries Training,” and Dr. Carl E. King, Sr., “Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries.”
The following powerpoint presentations are available for perusal:
Being an Effective Administrator, Superintendent Talbert W. Swan, II
Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries, Dr. Carl E. King, Sr.
Welcome to the Office of the General Secretary!
It is our goal to provide our member churches with pertinent data and information that is readily accessible. We continue to work with and support the vision of our Presiding Bishop, C. E. Blake, Sr., as the Church of God in Christ continues to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Please utilize our site to access pertinent information on the Church of God in Christ and the various departments of the General Secretary’s office. Check often for periodic updates as we endeavor to provide the most up to date information.
In His Service,
Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr.
General Secretary
