Please click here to learn how. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. So he is going to pastor two large churches in addition to teaching at several colleges. Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sign up for our newsletter: The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. Martin L. King Jr. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of his assassination, it was as if they had come to reckon with the ghosts of their past and the theological underpinnings that ignored his ministry. Book your appointment here. We need new opportunities. Amen to thateven if the pastor in question is the Godliest guy on the planet to start with, which is seldom if ever the case. This was why I felt it safe to forge an alliance. Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. The mega church concept is already troublesome. Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. While West says he cannot offer a full affirmation of the theory, he does not see it as incompatible with the gospel. I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. Charlie served as an apprentice to Pastor K. Edward Copeland and started his formal, practical training at the New Zion Baptist Church of Rockford, Illinois. We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. Rev. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. On March 27-28, Dates will give a sermon and lecture at Samford University for the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies annual Dotson M. Nelson Lecture. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. Theres a danger when the person idolized has a position of power and authority, particularly in a religious sense. Adoring sounds like its crossed the line into idolatrysomething a lot of these guys at bare minimum do nothing to discourage, and a few outright seek. I imagine they provide cover for the SBC leadership to further alienate Black and brown Christians who do not ascribe to their heritage of dangerous conservatism. In the early discussion around the seminary presidents statement, which released last month, SBC president J. D. Greear recognized some of the issues with such emphasis on critical race theory (CRT) itself. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. They are happy to have a Black chapel speaker, the occasional conservative Black professor whose classes are not taken seriously or a Black employee who never bucks against their notions of superiority. Dubois, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Mary Mcloud - Bethune, Dr. Charlies orientation and early formation were significantly bent toward the theological reflection of Black people. The pastor of Progressive at the time, his name was Reverend T. Brown, he was such a dynamic leader in the city that he was able to tell [former Chicago mayor] Richard J. Daley, No. And live to tell about it. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. Were living in a time where so many young people are walking away from the church and where church attendance numbers are in the dumps. Dr. (RNS) In 2018, something happened at the MLK50 Conference in Memphis, an event co-hosted by the Southern Baptist Conventions policy arm and The Gospel Coalition. Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? Pastor Dates challenged me in how I was handling my grief, noted my verbal and body language pointed to some unrighteous anger and unforgiveness that I needed to confront in order to move forward in a Godly manner, gave me scriptures to pray and meditate on, and concluded by praying with me and having his wife Kirstie follow up with me. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. They are selectively conservative. But I do sense and feel that a lot of the progress that Ive been able to make in the pastorate is connected in some way to his tutelage, his leadership, and his spiritual fathering, so to speak. In op-eds announcing their decisions to leave, Charlie Dates of Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church and Ralph D. West of Houstons The Church Without Walls both criticized SBC seminary presidents declaration that critical race theory was incompatible with the denominations statement of faith. And I have loved various pastors like family; some have ministered to my family for DECADES, and have baptized, married, counseled, and even eulogized GENERATIONS of my family. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! On Dec. 1, all six of the SBC seminary presidents without one Black president or counter opinion among them told the world that a high view of Scripture necessarily required a corresponding and total rejection of critical race theory and intersectionality. Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. Yesterday, Charlie Dates, the Senior Pastor at Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church, gave a powerful biblical message addressing the recent killings of Auhmad Aubrey, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". Its evangelism, its benevolence, its disciple-making have all been very Christo-centric and rooted in the Scriptures. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. I also want to suggest that Chicago, and America, needs churches that are developing and reproducing young pastors, that we become more intentional about it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I had to fight all of my flesh not to just walk away. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. I think the distinction is that I can serve Salem well by loving her through the preaching ministry and pastoral care, and she will follow. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. Speaking with CT, Dates drew parallels to Paul and Timothy, referencing Pauls instructions to the younger leader based on what he had witnessed firsthand in ministry. 53 min; FEB 8, 2023 "Can't Turn . And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. I plan to lead through leaders. Meeks' retirement comes at a time when many longtime church leaders have been transitioning out of leadership as they contend with dwindling attendance and other ministry upheavals laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. I do pray Pastor Dates is not spread too thin and that he has the support needed to lead such a large flock effectively. I have to lead through my leaders. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? If I can help these churches recognize Gods hand in their past as a kind of indication of God, of what God wants to do in the future, then I think I can hand it off to the next generation in good fashion. But there is nothing wrong with loving those who I do have personal relationships with, and have really left an impact on my faith, family, and heart. If that is YOUR definition of ministering to someone (because that is the language I used, and you jumped to that conclusion), YOU need to revisit it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It was the first time to my knowledge that white evangelicals had celebrated in concert the life, memory and work of the Rev. I cant speak for them. Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church - Chicago . He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. In a video of the announcement, Meeks said after he and his wife fasted and prayed about the succession of the ministry, they felt confident in selecting Dates. I have, by the grace of God, the DNA of both churches.. But dozens of majority-black churches are joining the SBC each year, so the numbers are still growingjust not as fast as they once were. Charlie Dates serves as the senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and teaches at Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct professor. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. I would rather not compare them, only because I wouldnt want to say the wrong thing and have someone read it and judge my intent. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Salem has not lost its relevance, Salem has not lost its edge, while maintaining a very high view of Scripture and its very Christo-centric approach to ministry. We need a new vision. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. Charlie E. Dates was presented to the church in February 2011. Some in our ranks inappropriately use the label of CRT! to avoid legitimate questions or as a cudgel to dismiss any discussion of discrimination. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? To invite Dr. The two churches will remain separate, and he plans on preaching two sermons each Sunday. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. That is exactly what I am objecting to though the fact that there is no way he can minister to 11,000 people in the way that he ministered to you. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT: Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Beautiful Mystery of Gods Silence. But he added God is extending our platform and our reach to the point where Ill be able to provide pastoral leadership for both churches. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. Thats the good ol boys club. Marin For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? Weve got to be able to have our 12 stones from our Chicago Jordan River, with a keen eye on the hills and mountains of Jericho and the other cities in Canaan. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Dates also is an affiliate professor at Baylor Universitys George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Texas and at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois, according to his bio. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". I dont know why; perhaps thats an attitude YOU need to pray about. Charlie E. Dates is the senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church and Progressive Baptist Church, two of the oldest and largest historically Black churches in Chicago, Illinois. Im just saying that at the juncture were in and being a son of the soil of Chicago and a son of Salem, and now having pastored Progressive, I just think I have a unique understanding and relational dynamic with both churches. And the same for Salem, which might still have it. Nationally known pastor Rev. Theres just no way you can pastor a church that big being involved in all of the details, right? (Perhaps due to my rarely being on social media for my own sanity). Children are a gift from God. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred. In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. And if you have a testimony of the amazing things God is doing in your life through our ministry, please email it to info@progressivechicago.org. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! But in this instance, youre actually bothered (I guess Uncle Ruckus is what crosses your line, but not sons of b*ches or a**holes) AND questioning Charlie Datess salvation? How has God moved and worked in ones life? And while Progressive is a large congregation (around 1000 members), it doesnt come close to Salem (which has about 10,000). My response to the above is that that kind of filling of your personal needs, i.e. RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. The other thing is, in terms of preaching, I plan on preaching two services on Sunday morning: one at Progressive and one at Salem. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. Charlie Dates of the Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, one of the pastors who have already severed ties, said the November statement was "the last straw." "When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism?" "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. But some have grown frustrated with their position in a denomination that remains largely white (African Americans make up just 6 percent of Southern Baptists, according to Pew Research Center). I didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. Well, the Stewardship Ministry at ProgressiveChicago is excited to partner with The YWCA and Liberty Bank to offer a 6 hour in-person or virtual homebuyer's workshop. My relationship with him is dynamic. In 2011, Reverend Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor to serve the historic Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, which saw exponential growth under his leadership. Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. I see the Pauline example in the Gospel of teachers/leaders being figures that we seek and respect for guidance and direction and boundaries, and not necessarily the same functions that friends and family (in or outside of the church) perform. Brian This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Progressive Baptist Church. The mega church concept is already troublesome. To a visitor entering the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, on a recent Sunday, the assembly might have sounded like, The Rev. While continuing to lead Progressive Baptist, the 41-year-old pastor was named the successor to James Meeks at Salem Baptist Church, one of the citys biggest congregations. I left that conference feeling hopeful. But the bones are good. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. I like my pastor; I dont love him. Charlie Dates Returns to the Chicago Church that Shaped Him While continuing to lead Progressive Baptist, the 41-year-old pastor was named the successor to James Meeks at Salem Baptist. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. I had the privilege of not only hearing him preach as a guest speaker at my church, but also meeting him after a singles event hosted by Progressive. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. At the emergence of the pandemic, the SBC donated to our emergency effort to provide online food delivery services for Chicagoans with SNAP benefits. As I am contemplating leaving my current evangelical church, Progressive is on my list of places Im considering and praying about for a new church home, and a lot of it is due to the Dates family. But you seem determined to dismiss or belittle it in some sort of attempt to insult the Dates and me. Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. But what a blessing to the members of both congregations. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church one of Chicago's biggest megachurches. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Ill become senior pastor of both the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and remain that at Progressive.. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. Charlie Dates named successor to James Meeks at 10K-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. We are not merging the two churches and Salem is not absorbing Progressive, Dates said. Salem has its own kind of DNA, Progressive her own . In addition, the 41-year-old also served under Meeks as primary preaching assistant, pastor of adult ministries, and director of church operations at Salem Baptist before becoming senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church in 2011. With no repentance of any kind and such bald-faced pride in his sin, it bears questioning whether Dates ever had a regenerative, salvific transformation in his heart to begin with. That history is enormous. This shaped his approach to preaching and his thoughts about the transformative role the Black church plays in bringing about the flourishing of a people.Dr. When did those who have yet to hire multiple Black or brown faculty at their seminaries assume ethical authority on the subject of systemic injustice? Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! And I recognize that. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately? Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? Progressive Service Time 9:30am 3658 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago Coming Up. . Chuck Smith himself, who started out as every kind of salt and light, found himself tempted by the limelight as he got bigger and bigger, and we saw more and more of his flaws as time went on. Show Progressive Baptist Church Podcast, Ep Great Expectations | Joshua 14:6-15 | Pastor Bryan Carter - Jul 26, 2022 Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT: After Chaos and Crisis, Beth Moore Still Finds Refuge in the Church, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Beautiful Mystery of Gods Silence. Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. Brian Rev. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. . Everybody loves our old, respected leaders but I want to set an example that its okay to give the next generation an opportunity, Meeks adds. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. James Meeks, founder and longtime senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church on the citys far South Side. He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. SBC events and church planting have grown more diverse over the past decade as leaders made a concerted effort to feature and invest in non-Anglo pastors. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. Sad, but not at all surprising. After 11 years at Progressive and watching more than 1,000 people join that church in that time, its fair to say that I carry the DNA of both churches. Thats not always the case when you assume a pastorate. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Feel free to watch our services online! If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. He is a contributing author to Letters To A Birmingham Jail and Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition, and is currently working on his first single-authored book on Christianity and Social Justice. But what is liberal in the history of American Christianity? Every church that lives in the past is already anchoring itself in the graveyard of history. They would not. And I think we can develop a platform, a pipeline to invite those who feel that burden of call to grow them and to release them to do that," he added. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? Shes ready to work. He is a contributing author to the 2014 book Letters To A Birmingham Jail, and the 2019 book, Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in The African American Tradition. I dont know anything about Pastor Dates using a slur I havent heard anything about it, nor do I know anything about the context, response, or outcomes. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. James Meeks announced Sunday that Pastor Charlie Dates of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago will succeed him as leader of the 10,000-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago when he steps out of the role in January 2023. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. The young pastor said he had to convince his members that joining the denomination for the sake of mission partnerships would be a good move. Who will pay for the SBCs abuse reforms over the long term? As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. September 3, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. EDT. Dates holds a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communication & Rhetoric from the University of Illinois - Champaign, Urbana, where he met his wife, Kirstie, who not only changed his life, but also elevated his approach to living. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. And if you think it feels good, warm and fuzzy to be confronted about your sin when youre in the middle of grief, you are VERY mistaken. Learn more. He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. Dates's 100-year-old congregation only began affiliating with the SBC last year, joining as a dual affiliate with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a mainline, African American. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. And Im not sure how bringing up holy men of other faiths comes into it I was at a Christian event seeking Biblically-rooted ministry, and thats what Pastor Dates and his wife provided. Chicago needs the Black church to be her best and brightest self. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' In just our brief 15 minute interaction, he really ministered to me as he correctly sensed I was going through a season of loss that was challenging my faith. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. The specter of racial animus and theological arrogance was giving way to a new era of Christian leadership, I suggested. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. The only outcome can be from their life experience, which really ignores the broader family of Southern Baptists.. . On one hand, Progressive is what I would call progressively traditional, and Salem is traditionally progressive. Neither is it a premeditated desire of mine. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. In 2011, at age 30, Rev. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). . Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. To invite Dr. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. You sure seem ready to defend Trump and do the we dont know whats in his heart, only God knows if hes saved song and dance when it comes to explaining away Trumps lack of repentance or remorse for such language.

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