On behalf of the Compass Team, I’m happy to inform you that the Michigan Area Bishop, David Alan Bard, has appointed Reverend James Isaac Cogman as interim associate pastor of Royal Oak First effective March 1 through June 30, 2020. This is a half time appointment.
James is a new pastor, having just graduated divinity school, and is moving to Michigan from the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church. He will be a full-time pastor at another church in Michigan starting in July
James received the Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Politics and Justice Studies & Psychology from Claflin University in May 2016 (Magna Cum Laude) and completed the Master of Divinity degree in December 2019 at Yale University Divinity School.
Rev. Cogman has had a variety of interests and experience. He has served as a Baseball Coach, Dance Instructor, Athlete, Percussionist, Orator, and Poet. He loves The Arts, Volunteering with Youth, Bowling, and Traveling. He served as an intern at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, a ministerial consulting intern at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, Michigan from May to August of 2017, and as pastoral intern from May to August 2018 at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. James was president of the Black Graduate Network at Yale University from May 2018 to January 2019 where he led organizational restructure, membership recruitment and growth, and the revamping of social media and marketing. He is single and the son of a United Methodist pastor and District Superintendent. He comes with lots of energy and excitement to be in ministry with God’s people.
Our Compass Team is working with our district superintendent, Rev. Dr. Charles S. G. Boayue, Jr. to complete the transition in short order. We met with James on Saturday to get to know him, and we’re excited about the gifts, eagerness, and servant’s heart he brings.
We believe he has been crafted and called by God for this time and place. We look forward to the gifts he’ll share with us over the next four months.
Brian LaRose
Compass Chair