Searching for the best way to meet the needs of…

Searching for the best way to meet the needs of congregations, the fourth Church of God General Assembly created the office of general overseer on January 9, 1909. Known the first year as general moderator, responsibilities were “to issue credentials to the ministers, to keep a record of all the preachers and evangelists within the bounds of the assembly, to look after the general interests of the churches, to fill the vacancies either in person or by sending someone [who] in his best judgment would be beneficial to the edifying of the body of Christ, and to act as Moderator and Clerk of the general Assembly.” The term of service was one year from the close of one Assembly to the close of the next Assembly. Believing the office was “in harmony with New Testament order,” delegates chose A.J. Tomlinson, pictured here, who already had moderated each of the first four Assemblies.