2015 Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements took place today in Cleveland, Tennessee at the History Branch of the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library with 37 in attendance. Dr. Wade Phillips presented his book, Quest to Restore God's House - A Theological History of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee): Volume I, 1886-1923, R.G. Spurling to A.J. Tomlinson, Formation-Transformation-Reformation. In this first volume of a projected three-volume set, Bishop Wade H. Phillips offers the most comprehensive examination to date of the origins, early history, and theological development of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN), according to the Amazon review. His second volume will cover 1923 forward with a focus on the Church of God of Prophecy.

Annual Meeting 2015

Meeting Notice: The annual meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements will be Thursday, 9:30 AM, May 7, 2015 at the History Branch of the Cleveland Public Library in Cleveland, Tennessee. The public is invited.

The program will include a presentation by Dr. Wade Phillips discussing his new book on the Church of God. A question and answer session will follow his presentation.

Please help us pass the word.

2014 Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting today was wonderful with 32 in attendance. President Dr. Louis Morgan moderated and added his family experience to the subject of the day. Vice President Bob George brought numerous books on women in ministry. Presenters Dr. David Roebuck, Cathy Payne, and Dr. Angela Waltrip presented facts about women in ministry past and present.

Shaun McKinley was elected today as Second Vice President of the Society.

Many thanks to everyone who attended!

Press Release

“The Historical Society of Church of God Movements will hold its annual meeting, May 22, 2014 at 9:30 AM, in Room B211 of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary," Dr. Louis Morgan, society president announced today. The Pentecostal Theological Seminary is located at 900 Walker Street NE, Cleveland, Tennessee.

This year’s annual meeting will reflect on, “The journey of women in the Church of God movements tradition.” Speakers will include Dr. David Roebuck, Bobbie Jo Hamilton, Cathy Payne and Dr. Angela Waltrip.

From the beginning of the Pentecostal movement, women have made vital contributions. Though the Church of God movements were birthed at a time in history when, culturally and socially, women were not afforded great freedoms, the women of these movements took their mandate from a higher source – “Your sons and your daughters will prophesy…” (Joel 2:28, NIV). This mandate, coupled with a sense of urgency of the soon return of Christ, presented opportunities for ministry based not so much on gender as on the anointing of the Spirit. Presenters at the annual meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements will review that aspect of history.

The purpose of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements is, “To promote the study, interpretation and appreciation of the history of Church of God Movements.” The Society welcomes the opportunity to explore pertinent and sometimes controversial subjects, and invites interested persons to attend the meeting. As always, this meeting is open to the public.

2014 Annual Meeting Location

This year's meeting will take place in Room B211 at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee.

2014 Annual Meeting

The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements is coming up soon.  Make your plans to attend in Cleveland, Tennessee on May 22, 2014.  See you there!

Pentecostal Research Center Opens "Living Word" Exhibit

The Church of God Historical Commission and the Hal Bernard Dixon, Jr. Pentecostal Research Center, officially opened its latest heritage exhibit, celebrating 125 years of the Church of God.

“Living the Word” is the latest in a series of exhibits which have been on-going at the PRC since 1996, according to Dr. David Roebuck, director of the PRC, which is located between the campuses of both Lee University and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Since 1996, heritage displays have been a destination attraction at the Church of God General Assembly exhibit halls. They have then been set up at the PRC following the Assembly, remaining on public display.

Guests enjoy the Living the Word exhibit

Living the Word commemorates 125 years of Church of God history, first celebrated in 2011. The exhibit was placed on display at the 2012 General Assembly last summer. In addition to the display, the historical account of the Church of God, Living The Word, was released. Registered members of the General Assembly received complimentary copies of the volume, as did guests at the exhibit unveiling last week.

The document is a magazine style publication which captures Church of God ministries since 1886 when R. G. Spurling established the Christian Union in a mill house in Monroe County, Tennessee. Rarely seen photographs and timelines bring to life more than a century of God’s blessings and the faithful labors of ministers and members. Chapters focus on the divisions of the Church of God: world evangelization, care, discipleship, education, and support ministries. This brief history is ideal for new members, as well as anyone who loves the heritage of the Church of God. Hard copies are available for purchase athttp://www.pathwaybookstore.com. It can be viewed online atwww.cogheritage.org under the resources tab.

Special guest for the unveiling was Second Assistant General Overseer J. David Stephens who addressed the gathering saying, “It is fitting that this display is here…We are the successors of Church of God heritage and it is our responsibility to be stewards of it.”

Floyd Carey, chairman of the Historical Commission, offered a dedicatory prayer.

The exhibit will be on display until next summer.

Church of God News