Walking into a New Spirituality

The CME Church and COGIC are profoundly connected by the rich histories both denominations share of the struggles and successes of the black church. Through Elder Robert E. Hart's desire for spiritual change and freedom, a schism developed, and he set the two denominations temporarily but gently at odds; however, the CME Church didn't feel threatened by the Sanctified Church or its doctrine and their existence. The Church of God in Christ through the efforts of its founder, Bishop Charles H. Mason, and Elder Robert E. Hart, who was appointed the first Overseer of Tennessee, chose Memphis as the nucleus of the denomination; and from there, they went into all parts of the country with the pentecostal-holiness message. With the help of others, Mason and Hart introduced primarily to the African-American religious community a gospel that helped change history and lives in their struggles for spiritual freedom and social justice. Elder Hart represented and protected COGIC for twelve years as their attorney and represented Bishop Mason when he was jailed for preaching and teaching holiness. Through his legal advice, the reorganized church was protected from the lost of valuable property and hostile litigations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas throughout his tenure.