2016 CANDIDATE FOR THE GENERAL BOARD OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
2016 CANDIDATE FOR THE GENERAL BOARD OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
WHO IS BISHOP PADEN?
2016 CANDIDATE FOR THE GENERAL BOARD OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
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A man of incredible faith
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A visionary leader with proven results
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A humble spirit with a heart and a voice for God's people
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A pioneer with exceptional organization and administration
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A resourceful and educated innovator with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Tuskegee University and a Honorary Doctorate from Canon Bible College
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A devoted family with a wife of 38 years, 2 daughters, 1 son and 6 grandchildren
FAITH I LEADERSHIP I INTEGRITY
Prelate, Metro Georgia Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Bishop Michael Paden Sr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Bishop Willis and Geneva Paden. He matriculated through the Atlanta Public School System, graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in 1973. He continued his education at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction in 1977. He has managed many construction projects varying in value from one-half million dollars to 44 million dollars. In 2006, he started his own construction company—M.J. Paden & Company—and works as an independent project manager for commercial construction businesses on an as-needed basis.
Bishop Paden is a visionary of extraordinary faith and impeccable integrity who has been serving God’s kingdom for over 30 years. After running from his ministry calling for 11 years, Bishop Paden surrendered to God’s will in October of 1984 and began his ecclesiastical journey of leading God’s people.
After serving faithfully as a deacon, deacon board chairman, minister, and elder at Tabernacle of Faith Church of God in Christ, Inc. under the leadership of his father, he once again hearkened to a divine decree from God and in 1988 founded Holy Fellowship Church of God in Christ, Inc., now located in Snellville, Ga. An inauspicious outlook did not deter Paden from seeking to carry out the vision that God had given him. With just five members, which included him and his wife, and $160 in the bank, he purchased a $300,000 church building in a move that would come to signify the fortitude of his faith-driven ministry. Under Bishop Paden’s leadership, Holy Fellowship has operated a licensed day care facility as well as a Christian school for grades Kindergarten through eight; and in 2001, Paden succeeded his father as pastor of Tabernacle of Faith Church of God in Christ, Inc. in Atlanta.
After serving for several years as superintendent, administrative assistant, and Evangelistic Department president under the leadership of the late Bishops C. J. Hicks and Jack Stephens in the Southern Georgia Jurisdiction, Bishop Paden was commissioned by God in 2003 to start Metro Georgia Fellowship, a fellowship that stood for 10 years until it was approved as a jurisdiction at the 2013 COGIC Holy Convocation. Bishop Paden’s commitment to his God-given vision throughout this period is just one of the latest examples of his persevering spirit and unfaltering faith in God.
Through Bishop Paden’s anointed teaching and preaching, countless souls have been saved, strengthened, and healed. His service in ministry extends to the community where he fulfills the scriptural mandate of Matthew 25:35-36, which calls for God’s people to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and incarcerated. Through the fulfillment of this mission by means of clothing and food drives, the needs of many in the community have been met. By virtue of his anointed ministry and meritorious service in the Body of Christ, Bishop Paden was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Canon Bible College and Seminary in a May 2006 commencement service in New York.
Ever the devoted family man, Bishop Paden has been married 38 years to Missionary Peggy Paden, and he is the father of two married daughters—Monica (Shane) and Erica (Ivory), and one married son—Michael Jr. (Danielle). He is also the proud grandfather of three grandsons—Ivory, Christopher, and Isaiah, and three granddaughters—Shania, Madysen, and Evelyn.
Bishop Paden’s love for God and His people is conspicuously displayed in his ministry and everyday life, and it may certainly be declared that he is a God-ordained remnant in these perilous times appointed to be a vessel for the Master’s use.
BISHOP PADEN'S PLEDGES TO THE CHURCH
I will never do anything to put my soul in jeopardy.
I will always fear God more so than man.
Q: Why should delegates vote for you?
A: I think delegates are looking for people they can trust, people who are accessible, and people who are accountable. I feel that I am all those things. Further, I have some specific ideas that I would like to present to leadership that I strongly believe will enhance our church.
Q: Other than your current positional status, what specifically sets you apart from the other candidates?
A: I would have to say my strong convictions and the fact that I really fear God. This isn’t to say that I’m the only candidate with strong convictions or that I’m holier than thou, but I am not afraid to speak my mind about things, and I’m my own man. I’m not a ‘yes’ man who’s just willing to go along with the status quo, especially if the status quo goes against my convictions. In order for the church to get back to where it needs to be from a spiritual standpoint, it’s going to require consistent, Godly leadership.
Q: What is your main concern about the COGIC, and how would you address that issue if elected?
A: At the present time my main concern regarding our church is its spiritual health. I would advocate for a more significant and clear stance and stronger voice against the things that are not like God. There are issues that defy our doctrine, but when some of these issues are out in the forefront, I don’t believe we always address them as strongly as we should.
Q: Do you think that the sexual immorality and/or clergy sexual abuse is a significant problem in COGIC?
A: I think it’s a problem because the bible says that it [sexual immorality] should not be named among us.
Q: Do you think that the church’s justice system is working properly?
A: I think it can be improved upon. The time it takes for decisions to be made, as well as the interaction between the various departments before the final decision is made, are things that could be improved.
Q: Do you believe the General Board should have one position reserved for a foreign or foreign-born bishop?
A: I think that would be in order. I think it would be helpful.
Q: Would you support term limits for General Board members? Why or Why not?
A: I don’t think term limits are necessary.
Q: What are the three issues you think are the greatest threats to the spiritual health of today’s church?
A: No. 1 would be immorality among leadership. No. 2 would be the things that the church allows or doesn’t speak out against. No. 3 would be the overall lack of trust among leadership.
Q: What would you desire to accomplish during your term if elected?
A: I would work to see increased enrollment in the C.H. Mason Theological Seminary. I would like
to see benefits for the clergy of the church. I’d also advocate for a General Assembly that only COGIC delegates can attend, meaning that only COGIC delegates are allowed entry into the building.
Q: You’ve been a jurisdictional bishop for less than three years. What qualifies you to go from a jurisdictional bishop to a General Board bishop in such a short time?
A: My experience as a leader. I’m the founder and pastor of a church that’s 28 years old, and I’ve been pastoring two churches for about 15 years. I established a fellowship that I was able to maintain for 10 years, which is, to my understanding, longer than any other fellowship has stood in the Church of God in Christ. And during those 10 years in my leadership role I was responsible for collecting reports and representing the people at the national meetings. Also, if my memory serves me correctly, there have been others with even less experience as a jurisdictional bishop than I have who have made the [General] Board. And I’m not running for presiding bishop. I’m running to serve. I’m running to serve the leadership and represent the people.
Q: Bishop Paden, you are not the most popular candidate. You don’t have the biggest church or jurisdiction. What would you say to those who are skeptical about your ability to lead the national church when neither your local churches nor your jurisdiction is particularly large?
A: The size of my churches and jurisdiction is irrelevant. I think candidates should be looked at in
their entirety. I don’t think you have to be the pastor of a megachurch or have 100 churches in your jurisdiction to be qualified to lead God’s people on a national level. David wasn’t the most
popular among his brothers, but God chose him to lead because of his heart. I believe that if people were to examine my heart they would see that I am certainly qualified and capable of
functioning effectively in this most esteemed position.
Q: Any final message you would like to get across to the delegates about you and/or your candidacy?
A: I really want people to feel like they will have true representation—a person who will do what is best for the church. I want them to feel like they have competent, honest representation, and someone they can really believe in. Just like both of my local churches and my jurisdiction believe in me, I want the national church to believe in me and know that I’m a man of integrity, a man of conviction, and a man, who, if necessary, will stand alone. Rest assured knowing that I’m truly COMMITTED to serving God and His people.
"COMMITTED TO SERVING GOD AND HIS PEOPLE"
CONTACT
3691 Centerville Hwy
Snellville, GA 30039
Email: bishopmjpaden@bishoppaden.com
Phone: 770-736-0207