The New COGIC
August 26th, 2005 by Carl Thomas.There is a great article on Bishop Gilbert Patterson over at Newsweek. It is part of a cluster of articles this week on religion in America.
Part of Patterson’s appeal: his moral rigor. As he sees it, signs of social depravity abound, from gangs to gay marriage (though he sides with President George W. Bush on moral issues, he’s a vehement opponent of the Iraq war and a staunch supporter of programs like affirmative action). “People are totally confused,” Patterson says, “and they keep looking for something that they can believe is real and something that will keep them grounded.” That “something” is Scripture, whose teachings Patterson has emphasized more than past presiding bishops. He “has restored a level of spirituality and Biblical focus that the denomination had somewhat lost over the last several decades,” says Bishop Charles Blake, head of a large COGIC congregation in Los Angeles that includes celebrities like Denzel Washington. That’s a welcome change for church member Dolores Allen, 53. “I love his preaching and teaching,” she says. “It strengthens me to be rooted in the word of God.”
While most of the articles are on groups with false revelation, if you are at least charismatic (or charismatic curious) this is worth reading.
I know COGIC people and the majority seem extremely religious, something that smacks in the face of Pentecost, but Bishop Patterson preaches the Word and I enjoy listening to him.
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