The COGIC Style of Worship

If you’ve never attended a Church of God in Christ service before, you might have questions about some of the unique things that we do. Learn more and please join us in Minneapolis for a Sunday Service soon.

A group of worshipers stand and raise their hands during a COGIC service.

This page is intended to help answer some of those questions you might have by referencing the exact bible versus that are the inspiration for our approach to worship.

  • The choir sings on a Sunday morning.

    Why do we stand when we sing?

    And the Levites……of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

    — II Chronicles 20:19

  • Two women clap their hands.

    Why do we clap our hands?

    O clap your hands all ye people: shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

    — Psalm 47:1

  • Worshipers raise their hands during service.

    Why do we lift our hands?

    Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.

    — Psalm 134:2

  • The church altar with the phrase "This -- do in remembrance of me"

    Why do we have this style of worship?

    But the hour cometh, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

    — St. John 4:23-24

  • The church band playing various instruments.

    Why are musical instruments a part of the worship service?

    Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the psaltery and Harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance. Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals; praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals.

    — Psalm 150:3-5

  • The Pastor anoints a church member with oil.

    Why do we anoint with oil and pray for the sick?

    Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 

    — James 5:14-15