In honor of Mother Ada Kuykendall, former longtime jurisdictional secretary of the Arizona Jurisdiction, Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr. created the network of female jurisdictional secretaries and appointed Evangelist Carolyn Fryson, former Assistant General Secretary for Registration and jurisdictional secretary of California Northwest as coordinator.

When Mother Kuykendall started as jurisdictional secretary there were only two female secretaries. Today the number of females serving as jurisdictional or assistant jurisdictional secretaries has grown exponentially. The creation of the network was necessary to support the work of female secretaries and a fitting tribute to the long years of service of Mother Kuykendall.

The final sessions of the Bishop Herbert J. Williams Seminars concluded on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Superintendent Marcus Ways facilitated a dynamic seminary entitled: Leadership Development: Bringing Out the Best in People. He intimated the importance of communication styles, the advantage of developing excellent leaders, and the importance of efficiency, effectiveness and excellence. He concluded his seminar by encouraging the delegates with the acronym YATSE, “You Are the Standard of Excellence.”

Evangelist Julia Ellerson reported on the progress of the Jurisdictional Secretaries Directory. She reinforced the importance of receiving accurate information and operating with the spirit of excellence. Jurisdictional Secretaries are asked to email their current information to cogicjsd@yahoo.com.

Evangelist Kimberly Scott-Brown updated the secretariat on the 2010 Holy Conocation in St. Louis, MO. She informed the delegates on activities, hotel accommodations and stressed the importance of registering for the meeting.

Elder Derrick Johnson and Evangelist Lisa Morgan detailed the 2010 General Assembly registration process. The secretariat was informed on the process of required documentation, timelines and the importance of informing their jurisdictional delegates of all necessary details.

Evangelist Linda Wilkins and Sister Mary Walls gae the participants updates from the National Office and answered questions concerning the operations of the Memphis office. The Summer Session concluded with final remarks and directives from General Secretary, Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr.

The Bishop Herbert J. Williams Seminars continued on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 with a riveting session by Pastor Michael Shaw entitled “Leadership: Motivation vs Innovation.” Elder Shaw inspired the secretariat and gave them ways to motivate those around them, increase communication and enhance relationships within the jurisdiction. His seminar inspired a myriad of questions and comments among participants. Elder Shaw was followed by Dr. Bernard Reese, who facilitated, “Finding Your Leadership Style.” This important session helped participants identify how they lead and interact with both other leaders and those they are leading.

The secretariat was addressed by Pastor Robert G. Rudolph, Jr., Scribe of the Adjutancy and jurisdictional secretary of Arkansas Second Jurisdiction, who facilitated, “The Episcopal Homegoing: Preparations of the Secretariat.” Elder Rudolph helped the jurisdictional secretaries understand their role after the demise of the jurisdictional bishop. Issues of importance included, the role of the secretariat during the home going, disposition of remains, record keeping, and the obituary.

The session also included observations by General Secretary Lyles and and information exchange between the jurisdictional secretaries.

The Bishop Herbert J. Williams Seminars began in earnest on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 after an inspirational opening session with General Secretary, Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr. Pastor Talbert W. Swan, II facilitated the seminar Keeping Our Ministry on Target: Ten Ways to Stay Focused. The seminar included the following principles:

THE FOUNDATION OF MINISTRY IS CHARACTER.

THE NATURE OF MINISTRY IS SERVICE.

THE MOTIVE FOR MINISTRY IS LOVE

THE MEASURE OF MINISTRY IS SACRIFICE

THE AUTHORITY OF MINISTRY IS SUBMISSION

THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY IS THE GLORY OF GOD

THE TOOLS OF MINISTRY ARE THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER

THE PRIVILEGE OF MINISTRY IS GROWTH

THE POWER OF MINISTRY IS THE HOLY GHOST

THE MODEL FOR MINISTRY IS JESUS

Superintendent Curtis T. Schley facilitated the New Secretaries Training and gave pertinent information concerning the secretariat and answered questions from those new to the position of jurisdictional secretary. Superintendent Eddie Whitelaw met with Regional Coordinators and encouraged them to remain diligent and effective in supporting the secretaries in their respective regions.

General Secretary, Bishop Joel  H. Lyles, Jr. addressed the secretariat in the opening session of the Bishop Herbert J. Williams Seminars Summer Session in Charlotte, NC. Preceding Bishop Lyle’s address, the jurisdictional secretaries enjoyed devotion led by Pastor Nate Jefferson, jurisdictional secretary of Brazil and greetings from Deacon Walter S. Roberson of North Carolina Greater Jurisdiction.

Bishop Lyles expounded on the theme of the seminars, “Motivation to Lead” and encouraged the secretariat to work diligently, support their jurisdictional bishops and to work with a spirit of excellence and integrity. He addressed the delegates on the importance of the 2010 Loyalty Day, which will convene on September 8, 2010 and spoke of the upcoming 2010 Holy Convocation in St. Louis, MO. Bishop Lyle’s address was a fitting start to this year’s seminars.

This year’s Bishop Herbert J. Williams’ Seminars Summer Session during the AIM Convention in Charlotte, NC has much in store for the secretariat. General Secretary, Bishop Joel H. Lyles, Jr. has organized a plethora of informative seminars that will benefit each participant in being a more effective jurisdictional secretary.

The Sessions will be held at the Charlotte Center City Marriott on Tuesday, June 6^th, Wednesday, July 7^th, and Thursday, July 8^th from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Refreshments will be served and devotion held from 8:30 am – 9:15 am.

Seminar topics will include the following: New Secretaries Training; Regional Directors’ Training; Keeping Ministry On Target; The Potential Around You; Finding Your Leadership Style; : Motivation vs Innovation; Leadership Development; and others. Presenters will include our General Secretary, Assistant General Secretaries, National Office Staff, Jurisdictional Secretaries, National Officers and others.

The seminars will consist of informative ministry training, fellowship and networking. The theme selected for this year’s sessions is “Motivation To Lead” and each seminar promises to be quite an experience!  We look forward to seeing you at AIM!

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.