Thursday, August 1, 2024

Business continued for part of the Thursday morning session. The Moderator, Presiding Bishop Tim Coalter, called the Assembly to order for “the business that should properly come before it.”

Bishop Dr. Phil Pruitt, Biblical Doctrine and Polity (BDP) chair, came to podium and asked the secretary of the Committee, Bishop Dr. Tim Harper, to read a statement concerning Section 2 of their report (see the full statement in the final Business Acts document at cogop.org).

Bishop Pruitt read the highlights of Section 3 of the report concerning the Lord’s Supper. There was discussion and the section passed.

The BDP recommended publishing Section 4, “Race, Relations, and Reconciliation,” in the Ministry Policy Manual. The Moderator called for discussion and then expressions. The first vote did not reach consensus,

and the Moderator asked for submissions. He called for a second round of expressions and the motion passed. The Moderator closed the Assembly business, and there was a time of honoring deceased ministers with tributes and a moment of silence.

The presiding bishop, general presbyters, as well as national/regional/state bishops performed the ordination of new bishops. Bishop Dr. Clayton Martin gave the challenge to the newly appointed bishops.

Thursday evening brought another joyful concert by the Bahama Brass Band. The presiding bishop introduced the fraternal guests and invited the general overseer of the Church of God to greet the Assembly. The Bahama National Children’s Choir blessed everyone with five songs. Pastor Jentezen Franklin preached an exhilarating message entitled, “Better is Coming.”