New COGIC Rule...Are Bishops Beyond Critique?

I want to be the first to say that within the Church Of God In Christ, there are various and varying opinions on politics and political, social and even moral issues. It seems that within the church there are even varying interpretations on what holiness is, what the Bible says and even how it should be interpreted to a varying degrees. 

While the church's Statement of Faith seeks to unify her basic tenets of doctrine and belief, there is little that unifies the church politically and socially, or even morally other than what the General Assembly, the only policy making authority within the church, seeks to affirm. 

Quite naturally, since COGIC is built on a "Faith Mission" concept and is "Episcopal" as opposed to congregational in its leadership structure, the door appears to be open to allowing some to state various  kinds of positions and when they are in some sort of position, or office, they can be being given credibility as a "spokesperson" of the church on particular subjects. 

The Leadership Of The Church

To be clear, in absence of the General Assembly, the ONLY individual entrusted with the ability to make and act with full and indiscriminate authority on behalf of the church is her Presiding Bishop. Bishop J Drew Sheard. He is the only one who affirms the official position of the church, and may appoint members of the General Board either in lieu of himself or in addition to himself to perform certain tasks. However, even in all of that, his authority is ultimately subject to the General Assembly when it is in session. So, in an ultimate sense, not even the Presiding Bishop of our church has unencumbered or unchecked power and authority. 

Unchecked Power???

Evidently Bishop Talbert Swan, who has been given authority to act as the church's leader of "Social Justice Ministry" feels that, not only has he been authorized by the church to speak on and even make official statements on Church policy and positions of social justice but that he is also above everyone, irreproachable and that all individual, ministers, elders and other clergy, who are not in the Bishopric class, are "beneath" him. 

In a statement to one, Elder Chris Turner, who was critical of Bishop Swan's statements in a recent message called "Who Are You Calling Garbage?" regarding President Trumps recent statements regarding Somali residents of MN, specifically them who had taken part in the recent and ongoing public fraud scandal that has cost tax paying citizens of MN and the United States over 2 Billion dollars and counting.

In response to Elder Turner's commentary or disagreement, on December 11th,2025 the alleged Bishop Swan said this on Facebook:

"CLAPBACK: “STAY IN A CHILD’S PLACE” EDITION 

Chris Turner has now elevated his desperation to calling a Bishop in his denomination a “fraud” who “doesn’t know the truth of God’s word.”

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The Unjust Social Justice Of Bishop Talbert Swan II...Things That Make Us Go...Hmmmmm

The Dunamis Word has been at what we do for quite some time. We have answered our call and taken our place to hold up the light of truth against the ever dim and dark culture of both the church and the world.

 

As I have stated in a previous posts, outside of continuing to encourage my church, the "Grand Ole" Church Of God In Christ, to adopt a true Victim's Advocacy Plan and policy, taking the healing and restoration of survivors of sexual abuse seriously, I am not obsessed in the least with what goes on in this church, or with who is doing what. 

But This Caught My Attention...

In 2015, under former Presiding Bishop Charles E Blake, Bishop Talbert Swan II was appointed the leader of COGIC Social Justice and operates through the COGIC Office Of Public Policy. During the 117th Annual Holy Convocation Bishop Swan was seemingly reaffirmed as the head of "Social Justice" by current Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard.

A quick look at his BIO, it is clear to see that Swan is very outspoken on the internet, television appearances, radio, which is not bad, IF he actually represented positions that a holiness church could be proud of. 

For example, not only is he the National Chaplain of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc, a secret society, which, at least in my 40 plus years of being associated with this church, we decried...but he is also one that seems to follow the path of blaming those who see abuse for abuse...I mean he railed against every Youtuber and others who see the inequities they see and discuss it over the internet.  

After listening to him and reading some of his commentary on issues invarious forums in which he appears, it is obvious that Swan is a politically left leaning liberal and advocates for positions that most left leaning liberals advocate including railing against MAGA, Conservatism and pro DEI, abortion and many of the more popular socialist and Marxist inspired ideas and values that exist today.

Social Justice...Liberalism vs Conservatism 

What we need is a fairness and clear direction as it comes to "Social Justice", since we are evidently seeking to be in that space as a church. We should come to an agreement with an approach that includes both liberal and conservative voices, views and issues because this church does not represent one side of the spectrum of perceived and real "justice" by its racial makeup.  

• Some of us believe that the abortion of babies is unjust...
• Some of us believe that overlooking them that have suffered at the hands of pedophiles and sexual abuser's within our church is unjust...
• Some of us believe that the illegal immigration and those that fight for such and against the efforts of ICE and enforcement agents is unjust...
• Some of us believe that the church's assault and policy to strong-handedly confiscate churches at the death of a Pastor is unjust...

Does our Office of Social Justice exist to advocate for or against for any of those things?  Does COGIC Social Justice represent ALL the church or just part of the church? 

Like many, it seems that in his effort to silence those of us who are vocal about what we see within the church, and unafraid to speak to the issues, that Talbert Swan has opened the door for many to take a more close and more meticulous look at him and what he is actually saying to represent the church and those of us who do not agree with many of his positions. 

Blessed! 

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