COGIC Weighs in on Same-Sex Marriage

The Church of God in Christ recently released a very carefully crafted statement on the issue of same-sex marriage, available here. 

I respect their forthright defense of Judeo-Christian morality and traditional Scriptural exegesis.

The Church of God in Christ is one of the largest African-American denominations in America.  It is Pentecostal in spirituality, but ecclesiologically it is very hierarchical (unlike the Assemblies of God) and has essentially reconstructed an episcopal structure similar to the Catholic Church.  COGIC prelates have occasionally recognized the similarity, and there have been, at times, amicable discussions between the COGIC and representatives of the Catholic hierarchy.

Since the local congregation I used to pastor was predominantly African-American in membership, I had frequent contact with COGIC congregations in west Michigan.  I have a great deal of respect for their theological tradition, which I find inherently interesting and thought-provoking.