With Signs Following: The Life and Ministry of Charles Harrison Mason

by Raynard D. Smith (Editor)

Overview

Born to ex-slaves in Reconstruction-era Tennessee, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason had a vision for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) that thrives today in an international Pentecostal church with more than five million members. With Signs Following: The Life and Ministry of Charles Harrison Mason examines the social, cultural, and religious aspects of Bishop Mason's leadership and creative genius in establishing COGIC as a distinct Black Church tradition. With Signs Following shares four decades of research from leading scholars that addresses the sociological, theological, psychological, social-ethical, and historical perspectives of COGIC and Mason's ministry.

Contributors:
Christopher Brennan
Ithiel Clemmons
David D. Daniels III
Glenda Williams Goodson
Robert R. Owens
Craig Scandrett-Leatherman
Raynard D. Smith
Frederick L. Ware

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780827243200
Publisher:	Christian Board of Publication
Publication date:	12/01/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Raynard D. Smith (Ph.D., Psychology and Religion, Drew University) is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care/Pastoral Theology at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, NJ. He is an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ, the Coordinator of the COGIC Scholars Fellowship, editor of the COGIC Scholars newsletter, The Advocate, and a member of the COGIC Board of Education. He is the author of Come Sunday Morning: Black Churches as Healing Communities.

Table of Contents

About the Authors ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction Raynard D. Smith 1

Chapter 1 True Koinonia: Pentecostal Hopes and Historical Realities Ithiel C. Clemmons 7

Chapter 2 When in the Course of Human Events? Conflicting Indirect Evidence for the Birth and Paternity of Charles Harrison Mason Christopher Brennan 15

Chapter 3 African Roots and Multicultural Mission of Afropentecostalism: Bishop Mason's Desk of Roots Craig Scandrett-Leatherman 29

Chapter 4 Charles Harrison Mason as Sign Reader and Interpreter Frederick L. Ware 43

Chapter 5 Bishop Charles Harrison Mason: The Apostle of Reconciliation Robert R. Owens 63

Chapter 6 The Church of God in Christ Transforms Women's Ministries Through the Positive Influence of Chief Apostle Bishop C.H. Mason Glenda Williams Goodson 73

Chapter 7 Seeking the Just Society: Charles Harrison Mason's Quest for Social Equality Raynard D. Smith 97

Chapter 8 "A More Excellent Way": The Theological Journey of Bishop Charles Harrison Mason in the Theological Formation of the Church of God in Christ David D. Daniels III 111

Selected Bibliography and References 129

Notes 137