Why Do C.O.G.I.C. leaders cover-up crimes and protect those who hurt people

[Stephanie]

Our C.O.G.I.C. leaders cover-up for those who do wrong and our bishop endorses homosexuality. What’s next? These people hurt me and all folks keep on saying is pray. At the same time nobody is doing anything.

I am leaving the C.O.G.I.C church. Everybody always talking about attacks on our church but they don’t seem to care about the attacks on us, the people. I see a lot of protection for the pastors but none for the people.

I can’t speak for other faiths but in the C.O.G.I.C. faith I see a lot of blame the victim cases. Is that of God?

[Rest Of God Ministries]

Absolutely, but I think it's a number of things going on. It's kind of hard to pin point it to one thing. Although if you go back to the 60's & 70's, Rev Ike was pretty much the only one preaching it, then came the 1980's and a few more rose up to take the mic, but when the 1990's came a new list of bold prosperity Preachers stepped on the scene, flaunting Rolls Royces and Bentleys. Yea, I think it can be a little distracting.

[Min. Jackson]

Anthony,
Being a member I can't really say that the prosperity gospel has distracted our denomination from the real issues. Although, I can't speak for all the churches on a Jurisdictional level, I don't believe that it is the dominant cause with our organization in general. What I do believe is that since Bishop Mason founded COGIC on holiness principals, it is hard for us to attach ourselves as a whole to the ills that have befallen our organization.

Take a mother for instance, her son is accused of a crime, the first reaction is to defend and protect her son. To hear such accusations against her son means that she will have to accept the scarring of his name as well as the punishment for his crimes. Therefore, the mother will try to find ways to defend the son and tend to ignore the crimes committed.

The same can be said for an organization that wants to uphold it's name and integrity. Ignore or downplay the crimes within to protect the name. It's not that leadership don't care, but that many times, if you deal with the crime means you have to accept responsibility on a denominational level first.

Lastly, in regards to our Head Presiding Bishop Blake co-signing with the UN's document of rights, this was a political move on his part. I believe this step was made to make a name for himself but in doing so he has tarnished the COGIC denomination. Outsiders will see the whole organization as accepting this policy and not just our COGIC leader.

[Evangelist Altha Fugett]

I quite frankly Bro. Watson, think that Blake is trying to be ecumenical to a point I don't agree with. I don't feel it has anything to do specifically with COGIC, you would have to experience the power of the Jurisdictional Bishops to understand what I mean.

Each Jurisdiction and then each District varies in their views, not the doctrine, but their traditional views. That is why you see some more open to women wearing makeup and pants, and then there are some that say don't even wear earrings don't go to the movies or swimming.

Its very complex, we are about to be in Coference in St. Louis, it will be interesting.

[Stephanie]

This deeply saddened me as well to see our leadership endorse something that's against God.

[Joseph Gill]

Web Site Seeks to Expose Clergy Sex Abuse in COGIC

Thursday, 15 October 2009 06:04 PM EDT
Adrienne S. Gaines
Charisma News Online

A new Web site aims to draw attention to alleged clergy sexual abuse within the nation's largest Pentecostal denomination.

D.L. Foster, the founder of ReportCOGICAbuse.com, says sexual misconduct among ministers has become a growing problem within the 6 million member Church of God in Christ (COGIC). But he claims church leaders rarely take serious action when allegations are made against ministers.

"The pattern I saw was to deny that victims existed, to deny that the church had a culpable role in dealing with the situations," said Foster, who launched the Web site last month. "In many of the cases, church members went first to their denominational leaders, reported these actions and nothing was done."
Foster, an Atlanta pastor who grew up in COGIC but is not ordained through the denomination, said people began telling him their stories of abuse after he blogged about Texas pastor Sherman Allen. Allen was sued last year for allegedly sexually abusing female church members during counseling sessions. COGIC was named in the lawsuit because the alleged victim claims denominational leaders ignored her claims.

A similar suit was filed in North Carolina, where a longtime COGIC music minister was sentenced to 16 years in prison for molesting young boys. Several of the man's victims also say COGIC leaders dismissed their claims, and they are now seeking unspecified damages. Their case is scheduled to go to trial this month.

Among the 30 other cases Foster has tracked are a Tennessee pastor who was killed by a 21-year-old man who said the minister tried to rape him and a bishop in Georgia convicted of molesting his 15-year-old foster daughter.
Elder Derrick W. Hutchins, chairman of COGIC's General Council of Pastors and Elders, said his denomination does not take allegations of sexual abuse lightly. "That's the part that I really find offensive," Hutchins said. "Because sometimes it's written like all we want to do is save ourselves from liability, we don't really care about people—and that's not true at all."

"Our first concern is the parishioners, not just pastors," he added. "We do not tolerate pastors in the pulpit who are found guilty of these improprieties."

He said the clergy sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church motivated COGIC to review its own policies. The denomination's constitution calls for ministers accused of egregious sexual misconduct such as rape or pedophilia to be immediately suspended while the claims are being investigated, Hutchins said. A pastor-led jurisdictional council investigates other kinds of allegations, such as sexual immorality among consenting adults, before taking action against a pastor.

Bishops who don't follow the procedures can themselves be brought up on charges, Hutchins added.

“I want to believe that every bishop is committed to carrying out the constitution as it relates to these grievous acts,” Hutchins said. “Anybody who can find where it’s not being carried out and can prove it, I’m sure that charges will be brought against that bishop who did not carry out his responsibility."

http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/23655-web-site-seeks-to-e...

[tobe saved]

PLEASE READ " SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN COGIC" FULL STORY

This to needs media attention!!

Bishop Peter Wren Sr. must be investigated at once!

In the Name of Jesus!! WHY, WHY? Would any Leader drop to this level? I have been following this since Anchored Soul posted her story. I see something here that has been mentioned over and over again..." Sweeping under the rug"!

To Chris Wren as I understand this is your father who has been suddenly placed in the spotlight of shame. If you’re an Elder/Pastor you’re just as guilty for allowing him your (Leader/father) to continue. You stated the story that Anchored Soul posted was the most horrific lie ever told concerning your leader/father, Bishop Peter Wren, Sr. My question to you, were you there? Truly there’s only three that really knows the truth; Anchored Soul, Bishop Peter Wren, Sr., and The Almighty God! I also agree with (ILL b Nice) who stated: This kind of negligence has been covered up for so long. How is it that this Bishop/Leader can continue as head of a Jurisdiction preaching the "Gospel" and this not be addressed or investigated? Please read and understand 1Timothy 3:1-13. That does not describe you or your leader/father.

To Bishop Peter Wren, Sr., I’m puzzled about something, if in fact you’re innocent how did you come to the conclusion that Ms Youngblood is Anchored Soul? I’ve read several other stories since and there were other victims. I say that to say this. There’s some truth to her story for you to know who she is or who you claim her to be. I’ve contacted one of the individual through private email. I was very stunned at what I’ve learned. I strongly believe this need to go public and get media coverage. I also learned there’s evidence to prove that you Bishop Peter Wren, Sr. have been involved in sexual misconduct within the COGIC…….. Now that this has my full attention, I‘ll do whatever I need to do to get this to the top! Last, how could you a Bishop/Leader talk such trash about that young lady who you once aid and you claim need to seek some type of Psychiatric help. I don’t care what type of pressure you are under, being a leader you should never drop to this level. Do you not teach to let GOD fight your battles? I pray for your worshippers and jurisdiction that they know the word for themselves.

I would like to share with everyone what Bishop Peter Sr. in defense posted about that young lady:

On December 27, 2009, a blog and/or discussion board posted a letter from a member ID (Anchored Soul) concerning the Sexual Misconduct in COGIC. Judging by the content and after further research, the writer is Tiffany Youngblood, originally from Union Springs now living in Birmingham, Alabama. Ms Youngblood moved to the City of Birmingham in search of a place to stay, worship and work while she attended college. Ms. Youngblood attended the church where I pastured and after some time we realized she needed a place to stay. She befriended my family and eventually moved into our home. For a period of (2) two years she stayed with my family, providing her a roof over her head and food to eat; worked at my place of business, providing her with revenue to support herself. In just a little while she would show a forming motive, after consumptions of alcohol, she would make advances at me. After rebukes and repeat attempts, I put her out of my home. She became angry and left the church and now is seeking ways to destroy my character by spreading these horrible lies. Tiffany Youngblood, it is my recommendation that you seek some type of Psychiatric help and if these lies continue it leaves me no choice but to take legal actions against you because of Slander and Deformation of Character.

By: Bishop Peter Wren, Sr.

Now she needs to take legal actions against you because of Slander and Deformation of Character.