Getting to Know.. the Church of God in Christ

• Also known as COGIC
• more than 6 million US members
• National headquarters in Memphis
• Founded in the early 1900s by Charles Harrison Mason, a son of slaves and a former Baptist preacher
• America's largest black Pentecostal denomination
• Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his last sermon, at Mason Temple, COGIC's mother church

Salvation Boulevard

The Cleveland, Tennessee-based Church of God is suing Sony for its Pierce Brosnan film Salvation Boulevard. The denomination says the film's uses a cross design that looks suspiciously like the one used by the Church of God. Rotton Tomatoes "tomatometer" gives the comedy a sad 8% out of 100 and says the film about a megachurch has barely brought in $7000 so far. NPR's movie reviewer writes, "Without the humor, the stereotypes that define these characters aren't satirical; they're just mean-spirited and dull."

A Franklin, Virginia Church of God pastor who lost everything in a fire is counting his blessings. WAVY has this video report:

Great sex: God's way

The Cullman City Hall in northern Alabama is getting complaints about signs along rural highways put by a local church. The message: Great sex: God's way. They were put up by Daystar Church pastor Jerry Lawson. The Church of God-affiliated congregation is going through a month-long series on the subject.

Local evangelist Roland Belew believes the campaign is inappropriate. The Atlanta Journal Constitution as saying, "Talking about sex ain't gonna get nobody to heaven."

Hat in Church Leads to Stabbing

Baltimore police are looking for a man who stabbed his son over a hat. The two argued near the Carter Memorial Church of God when his 19-year-old son refused to remove his hat. The man got a knife from his car and stabbed his son in the left buttock.

Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Resigns

The pastor of an Atlanta megachurch has resigned. Founding pastor Jim Bolin stepped down from Trinity Chapel in Powder Springs as a result of ‘inappropriate sexual behavior’. Bolin will enter what church leaders are calling a “restoration process” for the next couple of years. Trinity Chapel is associated with the Church of God.

Obama.. Osama

A sign outside a church is stirring controversy in a little South Carolina town. Pastor Roger Byrd of the Jonesville Church of God that reads: Obama Osama. Humm Are They Brothers? Byrd says the sign is not racist or an attempt to make a political statement, just to make people think. But Obama has made it clear his is not a Muslim and has attended the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for many years. Byrd says members voted unanimously to keep the sign up. Jonesville Church of God does not have any members who are Black.