J. Drew Sheard seeks to lead COGIC as a ‘unifier’
As a boy, Bishop J. Drew Sheard grew up dreaming of becoming a preacher and a pastor.
His father, uncle and grandfather had all served as pastors. His grandfather had even been appointed to the Church of God in Christ’s mother church in Lexington, Mississippi, by Bishop C.H. Mason, the founder of the denomination.
It came from both sides of the family, that calling, Sheard said.
And now, that has culminated in Sheard’s election as presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal denomination with millions of adherents.
“It had been prophesied in my life for many years as I had been growing up in the church,” Sheard said of his election. “I believe over the years, and I say this very humbly, I believe God has taken note of me that he could trust me. … I believe the favor of God has been on my life since I was a younger preacher and he has blessed me in every facet of my life as far as my ministerial career was concerned.”
Sheard, 62, was elected in late March to lead the predominantly African American denomination headquartered in Memphis.
He is pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church in Detroit and jurisdictional prelate of the Michigan North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. He has served on COGIC’S general board since 2012.
Other members of the denomination say that Sheard is likely to act as a unifier in the role of presiding bishop, the top position in the denomination. He also has a keen eye for finances, they say, and is a capable spiritual leader.
Tackling the work ahead
Since taking office March 20, Sheard has thrown himself into both administrative and spiritual tasks.
Currently, leadership in COGIC is involved in “10 weeks of consecration,” with a prayer call every Tuesday and Friday being led by different leadership groups.
“I believe that the Church of God in Christ is a catalyst as far as what’s going to happen in our world as far as a spiritual entity,” Sheard said.
The fiscal year ended in March, so Sheard is also examining a new budget, one that is strained with a roughly 50% drop in giving due to a lack of in-person services due to COVID-19 restrictions, he said.
And appointments needed to be made for various department leadership roles (such as the heads of the International COGIC Women’s Department, the AIM Convention, the International Department of Evangelism and more), to chief of staff and to chief operating officer.
A former math teacher, Sheard holds a bachelor of science in education and a master of education in mathematics.
He has a “wealth of knowledge” when it comes to finance, said Bishop Brandon Porter, pastor of Greater Temple Community Church of God in Christ in Memphis and a member of COGIC’S General Board.
“One of his strong points that Bishop Sheard has is he surrounds himself with people that are well versed in multiple areas to help him in the pursuits he has for leadership,” Porter said.
As presiding bishop, Sheard said he wanted to work to emphasize marriage and family as a “cornerstone of our church.”
Sheard’s wife, Karen Clark-sheard, is known nationally for her gospel music along with her sisters. Together, they make up the Grammy Award-winning group The Clark Sisters.
BET (Black Entertainment Television) once had a reality TV show, The Sheards, about their family.
In Memphis, “we want to continue our economic development as we work along with the city of Memphis,” Sheard said.
Under Bishop Charles Blake Sr., the previous presiding bishop, 77 apartment homes were developed near the Mason campus in Memphis, now known as Mason Homes on 4th. Many of the buildings on COGIC headquarters in Memphis were also renovated.
Sheard is someone who “loves the city of Memphis,” Porter said, and was part of the committee to bring the Church of God in Christ’s Holy Convocation back to Memphis after years spent in St. Louis.
“He’s certainly interested in bettering the relationship between COGIC and Memphis,” Porter said.
Bringing people together
Bishop David Hall, pastor of historic Temple Church Of God In Christ in Memphis and a newly-elected member of COGIC’S General Board, said Sheard is a collaborator who listens to and encourages others.
He has built a strong membership at his church in Detroit, indicative of spiritual strength, Hall said.
“He is also a visionary,” Hall said. “He can see beyond those things that are immediate and he puts a long plan to them. …. (He is) quite worthy.”
Sheard said he is seeking to be a unifier after what was a divisive campaign season, with several vying for the position of presiding bishop.
“Now we’re just trying to unify the church and bring as many people together as we can so the Church of God in Christ can move forward,” Sheard said. “I believe the Lord is leading the Church of God in Christ to be a focal point; to be an example.”
Part of that is inspiring people with godly leadership, Sheard said, and working to unite seniors with young people, preparing “our young to take over for the future” while honoring seniors.
“In doing that, in bridging the gap between our seniors and our young, the church will become a tremendous example of how we can all work together for the good of the kingdom,” Sheard said.
Sheard has done some of that work already, he said. He was former Auxiliary in Ministries (AIM) Convention chairman and International Youth Department president for COGIC.
Bishop Edgar Vann, pastor of Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit, said Sheard is someone who has progressive ideas, but has not lost the “honored traditions” of the denomination.
He has done great ecumenical work, but also great work inside the denomination, said Vann, who has known Sheard since they were teenage preachers growing up alongside each other in Detroit.
“He will bring a fresh leadership to the church,” Vann said. “He will be a unifier. He will be one who will help to navigate the church through these contemporary waters, these contemporary times in which we live where many foundational truths and foundational beliefs are being challenged.”
Sheard is well respected across denominations and their respective leaders, said Bishop Joseph Walker III, presiding bishop of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, a Charismatic denomination headquartered in Atlanta.
“Bishop Sheard is a proven leader who exemplifies dedicated and honorable leadership to his local church,” Walker said. “Bishop Sheard has a heart for the community and the issues that matter to the African American culture. ... I believe Bishop Sheard will be a progressive, forward-thinking leader who understands the power of collaboration as he leads one of our country’s leading denominations.”
For his part, Sheard said he is grateful for the opportunity God has given him to lead COGIC.
“I’m going to do my very best to make God proud and the church proud,” Sheard said.
Katherine Burgess covers county government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com, 901-529-2799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.