"Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? I dont see anything wrong with loving those who Christ calls us to love, which includes our brothers and sisters in Christ (that includes pastors). Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. Every church that lives in the past is already anchoring itself in the graveyard of history. Pastor Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of The Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Perspective by Charlie Dates. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. So, I propose to you that we need a new organism, not led in full by white men; a Christian collective that makes room for the essentials of the faith and the diversity of the Church; a robust engine that finances the impoverished sides of the Church, speaks justice courageously to the government and cares gently for the oppressed, marginalized and women. Sign up now ! The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. That is a concerning statement. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? . Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. 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. . Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. Dr. Charlie Dates . And I dont even go to Progressive, which is less than 15 minutes from my home (closer than my current church home). 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. Progressive is a church of five generations. Meeks and his wife, Jamell, founded the church in 1985. The statementposted on the anniversary of the 13th amendment abolishing slaverycalled for collective repentance and criticized those who would downplay SBCs racial history or label others as critical race theorists for acknowledging systemic injustices. Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. 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. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! But the bones are good. Just goes to show that even in this day and age, after all thats happened, megachurches still value butts in the seats and the almighty dollar over holding celebrity pastors accountable for their actions and character. That would just be weird. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. 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. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. and pro football. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. . 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. Salem Baptist is one of several megachurches whose pastors are passing the baton. 99% of these megachurch icons and celebrities were nowhere near as righteous as Smith to start with, and only continue to deteriorate from that starting point, with time and fame. We want to see younger families come to our church and the last thing that we want is to stand in the way of that.". Wests The Church Without Walls (originally Brookhollow Baptist Church) has ranked among the 100 biggest in the country and averages 9,000 people in weekly attendance, according to its site. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. Feel free to watch our services online! We want to see our church grow. EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. I ADORE Charlie Dates. They are ready to send their young students to the very seminaries that are both vestiges of racial animus and also the places where these harmful attitudes are perpetuated. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. It's time for us to bring in new families. Both of them have produced some stalwart Christian leaders and teachers. Theres something about the formation of my mind and my theological heart that is directly shaped by and impacted by watching all of that, and working in all of that, as I came of age, he said. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. All rights reserved. Its no longer that waywe are very much in the community nowbut thats the way it was. Thanks for the extra info here. Charlie Dates Has Led Progressive Baptist To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. Hmm. Charlie Dates Current Workplace. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago Pastor: Dr. Charlie E. Dates Website: www.progressivechicago.org Giving/Donations: https://progressivechicago.org/give IG: Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. . 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. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. 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. 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. Have you ever dreamed of owning a home, but don't know where to begin? He served three terms as an Illinois state senator, was chairman of the state board of education, and ran in Chicagos 2011 mayoral race. Standing in the pulpit on Sunday at the House of, Feet splashed in puddles on a rainy Sunday afternoon as almost 1,000 people came together in Smyrna, a small town in Middle. . Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. What I do sense is that theres still work to be done and vision to accomplish at Progressive at the same time that I begin my assignment at Salem. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. In a video posted Monday, Meeks called Dates the greatest preacher in our nation., The Bible says one man planteth and another man watereth, and God giveth the increase, he said in the video, with his wife Jamell Meeks, director of Salems womens ministries, at his side. We need new ideas. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. "We want to see our church be vibrant. RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. Our city and our nation need the black church to be her best and brightest self and now is the time for churches to be strong," he said. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and adjunct at Baylor Universitys Truett Theological Seminary, West said he planned to withdraw from his current doctoral studies at Southwestern and will not associate with the SBC any longer. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. True authentic faith is going to be limited to a tiny remnant in the last days; the separation of wheat and tares is being done as we speak. Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". At the emergence of the pandemic, the SBC donated to our emergency effort to provide online food delivery services for Chicagoans with SNAP benefits. Dates called him an Uncle Ruckus on twitter, which is a derogatory slur used to describe a black man that embraces the whiteness of society instead of resisting it. Through his passion for learning, living, and teaching the Gospel, Dr. Charlie serves as an Affiliate Professor at Baylor University- George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Wheaton College. Theres a danger when the person idolized has a position of power and authority, particularly in a religious sense. Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. The mega church concept is already troublesome. 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). Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. And while Progressive is a large congregation (around 1000 members), it doesnt come close to Salem (which has about 10,000). 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. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. Yeah thats in bad form. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. 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. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Before his call to Progressive, he served as an apprentice pastor at New Zion Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois, and as a pastor at Salem Baptist Church in Chicago. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. The leaders of two majority-black megachurches in major cities announced this week that they will no longer affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. Brian 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. Dates new role will mean others will take on some of what Dates does now at Progressive, he said. Its a sensitive time for both congregations, and I want to convey as they read this my love for both of them. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. Thats not always the case when you assume a pastorate. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. That history is enormous. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. To start, Dates will keep his current post as senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church, a 15-minute drive from the House of Hope arena where Salem Baptist meets. This isnt something that I read or something that I watched; this is a ministry that I participated in and had a front row seat to as a kid, said Dates, who grew up at Salem and attended its former school, Salem Christian Academy. Theres just no way you can pastor a church that big being involved in all of the details, right? Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. Just, wow. 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. Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). You talked a bit about both churches significance to Chicago. Dr. Charlie E. Dates currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois as well as Affiliate Professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and NFL Chaplain for the Chicago Bears. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' He announced Sunday he'll preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. I left that conference feeling hopeful. Its time for Salem to move forward, he told his congregants. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. 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. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. To invite Dr. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. 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 can say Ive been called worse for going to white schools and belonging to white clubs, and Im kinda numb to it at my age. "We can multiply that in evangelism, in discipleship, in educating our kids in reducing violence, shutting down liquor stores and opening up new opportunities to help rescue families and that's the church being the church.". Progressive Baptist Church. From 2016 to 2019, too, I preached on the campuses of four of the SBC seminaries and had been invited to another. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. After the neighborhood went dry, Walmart opened a store. The first challenge is getting the churches to sense that where God gives a vision, theres always provision. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. 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. How did they, who in 2020 still dont have a single Black denominational entity head, reject once and for all a theory that helps to frame the real race problems we face? And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. So for me, what attracted me was God. 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. But we can actually press into the current culture and lead our young people and train them to lead a revolution for the kingdom and the glory of God. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. 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. "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. . I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. 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. 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. How has God moved and worked in ones life? The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. They both, in that regard, have a history of absolutely incredible pastors. And Progressive only has one location. I will admit to knowing very little about Charlie Dates, but what Gus Chiggins posted is extremely concerning. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30 and in January 2023, he became the senior pastor of the 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 . Earlier this month, Saddleback Church co-founders Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, named Andy Wood of Echo.Church in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Stacie, as their successors, starting in September. Rev. Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story.
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