"There is a young man in our midst who is an exceptional preacher," Pastor Meeks told congregants Sunday, calling Charlie Dates both "called" and "qualified." Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. To be clear, the SBC has some longstanding, credible Black pastors in its tribe, and I dont mean the kind who are tokens or assimilators. I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. Just, wow. 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. Perspective by Charlie Dates. Sign up now ! He graduated with a PhD in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? That would just be weird. How will your role there look different? To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. 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. They are ready to see their young adopt the very vestiges of hate that enslaved us in the name of Gods authoritative word. 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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). He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. 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. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. Event Calendar Progressive Baptist Church That history is enormous. 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. 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. He announced Sunday hell preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. 'More Than Just Talk:' Black Southern Baptist Pastors Urge Racial Unity I didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. Dr. Charlie Dates . Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. Meeks, who is now 65 and served three terms as a state senator, told his congregation that he will preach his final sermon on Jan. 8, 2023, just five days before the church's 38th anniversary. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Part of what Im learning and discerning about Gods direction for ones life is to pay close attention to the bend of ones spiritual biography. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate Professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. There is a HUGE problem with adoring a pastorany pastor, even a truly great one. James Meeks, founder and longtime senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church on the citys far South Side. 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. And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Why America needs the Black church for its own survival 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. Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. Neither is it a premeditated desire of mine. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? My response to the above is that that kind of filling of your personal needs, i.e. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. 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. None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. 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. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. Charlie Dates Archives - ERLC Biblical and Religious Studies Host Chicago Pastor for 2023 Dotson M Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. "It's time for Salem to move forward. Over the summer, Dates discussed with CT his frustration with the lack of diversity among SBCs recently appointed entity heads, all of whom are white men, and the inconsistent support for racial justice causes. Around the country, people run into me and tell me, Oh I got baptized at that church, or Oh, I remember Sunday school at that church. Its legend and its lore is huge. Progressive Service Time 9:30am 3658 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago Coming Up. 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. 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. Ill become senior pastor of both the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and remain that at Progressive.. Black Church Figures You Should Know: Dr. Charlie Dates But what a blessing to the members of both congregations. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. I like my pastor; I dont love him. Sign up for our newsletter: 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. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. 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. 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. 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. Sure, there were more battles to be won before legitimate change would warm the hearts of African American churches like ours, but thats why our movement felt almost prophetic. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. 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.". Charlie Dates - Youngest.. - Progressive Baptist Church | ZoomInfo Dates graduated from Salem Baptists Christian school, which has since closed. Come stop by the north lobby to have your picture and/or video taken on March 19th and the 26th directly following service, As our church family continues to grow, we want to welcome our new members home. "I sense God performing a work of His Spirit that connects Salem to churches that need revitalization. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Meeks, who plans to stay involved with Hope of House, Salems philanthropic organization, is one of the latest longtime U.S. church leaders to step down. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. That is absolutely a legitimate human need but I just dont see it as within the job description of a servant-leader of men in the Epistles. When I came to Progressive, it took me a while to actually get my feet under me because of some of the history and nature of the church, and it required a lot of patience and long-suffering initially. . Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. Progressive was once, decades ago, the kind of leading force of churches on the South Side. 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. 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. How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? Would a right-wing famous pastor like Voddie Baucham or Rob Jeffress be able to get away with using racial slurs??? Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). . As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the. My approach at Salem will be similar once I have learned again the way of the land. This workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. Charlie Dates Returns to the Chicago Church that Shaped Him Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. 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. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30. The only outcome can be from their life experience, which really ignores the broader family of Southern Baptists.. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. 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. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. . Another thing is I dont think this dual assignment is in perpetuity. Brian 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As CT reported in August, there werent signs of a trend of majority-black churches leaving in the most recent denomination report from 2018, though the rates of growth year-over-year had slowed after shooting up in the early 2000s. Im still surprised Charlie Dates wasnt forced to step down after he publicly used a racial slur against Virgil Walker on social media last year. Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. If we in the SBC had shown as much sorrow for the painful legacy that sin has left as we show passion to decry CRT, we probably wouldnt be in this mess., Critical race theory isnt clearly defined, but generally refers to an approach to racism as systemic and embedded in society. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. I had to tell my church I was wrong. Our History Progressive Baptist Church So Im not in a position to speak on that. He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors, Mormonisms slow shift away from demonizing working mothers, Faith leaders urge Biden to sign executive order for reparations study by Juneteenth, For many congregations, wiping out medical debt has become a popular calling. What specifically attracted you about this role at Salem Baptist? Charlie earned an M.Div. 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. The SBC experienced a 43 percent jump in majority-black churches between 1998 and 2002, compared to 11 percent over the most recent four years. We are partnering with The Chicago Partnership to present this opportunity to the South Side! While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. Warren announced his intention to retire last year after over 40 years of ministry and began the search for "the next-generation pastor.". I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We want to see our church grow. 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. After the retirement of its founder James Meeks, fellow South Side pastor Charlie Dates will become senior pastor of one of Chicagos biggest megachurches, Salem Baptist Church, returning to the ministry that shaped him as a kid and succeeding one of his greatest mentors in the faith. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. 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. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. We need new ideas. None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). I have to lead through my leaders. Thats the old SBC. No One Knows. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. Charlie Dates 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. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. Both of them have produced some stalwart Christian leaders and teachers. Charlie Dates Has Led Progressive Baptist To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. Their stand against racism rings hollow when in their next breath they reject theories that have been helpful in framing the problem of racism, he wrote, disappointed that the presidents would come together to speak out against it rather than turning their criticism toward other ills such a racism itself. Progressive Baptist Church Return to homepage. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. Charlie Dates named successor to James Meeks at 10K-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. Legal Clinic The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? Pastor Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of The Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. 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. The resolution clarified the theory could be employed, but only subordinate to Scripture.. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end.