COGIC Charges. Procedures, Rules & Regulations

It has been some time since Elder Earl Carter has taken COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake to task on the internet for what he (Carter) claims is immoral behavior, an abuse of power and a host of other issues. Carter has continued to air his grievances in spite of recommendations to seek an alternate route or path to make his concerns known. 

There are many sad parts to all of this. Carter, who repeatedly challenged Bishop Blake to take him to court, had his wish granted and is now beating the same internet seeking contributors to help fund his defense. In addition, people, who know either very little or nothing about COGIC process in these matters, are lining up in their feelings, emotion, and righteous indignation, some spouting off some of the most ridiculous things and those encouraging the continued discord, are, in effect, supporting and propping up more CONFUSION!

FACT: Every Organization Has Rules & Guidelines 

ANY group of people that come together for a particular purpose is an organization to some degree. They may or may not have a formal or written code, but bring centered around a purpose or cause makes them an organization. Within that there are certain norms and values that are either accepted or rejected among members of the group. 

Read more!

Understanding The Fallout & Consequences Of Sexual Abuse

If you've been sexually abused or victimized or are trying to overcome the burden of clergy or church related sexual abuse, call I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council (IMBKCAC) at (800)728-0352 or email us at Imbkcac@gmail.com for a confidential assessment of your situation and prayer. We know that there is a Balm in Gilead. 

Surprising as it may seem, advocating on behalf of victims of  sexual abuse can be a challenging task. Educating the public that there is a problem and that sexual abuse has a significant and ongoing consequence is more than half the battle. Why? It is because victims of sexual abuse appear to be and function like everyone else. They are Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, Pastors, Teachers, Professors, Bus Drivers, Deacons, Politicians, Business Owners and almost anything else you can name in society. They are religious, non-religious and even atheists. They are gay, they are straight, they are even celibate. They are the highly educated, they are self-driven, they are the educationally illiterate and the most slothful. they are children and in many cases grown folk who have trusted individuals even to their own hurt. There are no distinguishing marks, characteristics or boundaries by which their experience can be known, distinguished or determined. They are those who don't fit the "mold" whatever that "mold" is or might be.   

Distinguishing who they are or who has been abused is one thing. Assessing the damages associated with the abuse is another. For example, recently, I had a conversation with an attorney who has a substantial practice dealing with recovery from auto accidents and product negligence. When I explained a certain situation relating to victims needs as a result of sexual abuse, the first thing they asked was what were the damages? When I explained the mental and emotional trauma and the unwanted sexual advances and the crime in general, the attorney was still hard pressed to see the "damages" that would result in an award. You see, even though this person was trained in legal issues, in their mind, in order for their to be a recovery, there had to be an ongoing physical or visible damage in order to make the claim that one has been harmed. 

Sexual Abuse, "Damages" Not Readily Seen

Fact: "Less than 30% of sex crimes are reported"

Here is a listing of familiar names...

Oprah Winfrey, 

Tyler Perry, 

Queen Latifah,

Donnie McClurkin 

Suzanne Somers, 

Maya Angelou, 

Unless one knew their stories, one would hardly associate any of these people with sexual abuse of any kind because they are the "beautiful people" as the world accounts it. They are popular, successful, rich and famous. Certainly they have no problems, or at least not common problems right? Yet all of them have experienced abuse or some form of sexual crime perpetrated against them. All of them have felt at the end of their lives at a certain point in their life, prayed, and asked why this horrible crime of sexual abuse was done to them. All of them have dealt with feelings, inclinations, and emotions that they didn't ask for, and had to work their way through. Some of them, turned to promiscuity, some turned to homosexuality, some became religious, spiritual, and even highly versed in secular matters. Many others handle this sort of abuse in many different ways. Thank God, that all of these people survived, but stop and ask yourself for a minute, how many didn't make it? Yes, these have all survived, and become highly successful, but what they went through was nothing to envy by anyone not having their experience. To suggest that they hadn't been "damaged" by the actions of their aggressor would be an insult to any intelligent human being and especially to any Christian in touch with Christian moral values in view and in light of the fact that rape is a crime. 

Stigmas 

Read more!

Fear To VICTORY, Overcoming COGIC Clergy Sexual Abuse & Silence

Go To: I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council
Links Have Been Updated!
Fear To Victory, Overcoming COGIC Clergy Sexual Abuse Pt. 1 

Fear To Victory, Overcoming COGIC Clergy Sexual Abuse Pt. 2 

Fear To Victory, Overcoming COGIC Clergy Sexual Abuse Pt. 3
For The First Time Hear SURVIVORS of COGIC Clergy Sexual Abuse Tell Their Own Story 

Since 2007 this ministry has worked hard to fight for and give voice to the victims of sexual abuse and clergy sexual sins within the Church Of God In Christ.  In 2011 Elder D.L. Foster of ReportCOGICAbuse.com and myself conducted a 2 part interview ( COGIC Issues Pt. 1, COGIC Issues Pt. 2) regarding the level and depth of victimization that had taken place within our church. One of the areas that was addressed was the church's failure to acknowledge those who have been victimized by the ungodly actions of certain individuals who simply lived contrary to their faith by  failing to understand the standard of responsibility that they were supposed to have maintained by shepherding the flock of God and protecting those members of it at all times. 

1 Pet. 5:2-3 ~ "2-Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3-Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

Although we are are glad that the church has taken steps to assure that leaders are properly screened and vetted before becoming COGIC pastors and representative leaders, and for what is called a "zero-tolerance policy" against sexual harassment and abuse, we are yet saddened because of the continued culture of silence that exists as it pertains to how the abused are treated, and the overall official church response to such issues of vital importance. Plainly speaking, it seems that the church feels, that it is better to avoid the victims all together, saying nothing to them or their families in any official capacity and, on occasion, writing a check to make victims go away, rather than pouring the healing salve of Jesus.

Over 20 Years In The Making

Needless to say, being unresponsive to victims that have endured hardships and pains, much of which may never fully be told, is a second victimization of those that have been damaged by clergy sexual sins. This victimization is a deafening silence in response to accusations,  and failure to act swiftly in the removal of those who have engaged in criminal activity. 

Read more!