charlie dates progressive baptist church charlie dates progressive baptist church

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. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. 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. Book your appointment here. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? "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." This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We want to walk with you and your family in every step of the way. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. 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. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. 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. Progressive was once, decades ago, the kind of leading force of churches on the South Side. How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? "It's time for Salem to move forward. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church. 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. He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. 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. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. Charlie has 1 job listed on their profile. Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. But you seem determined to dismiss or belittle it in some sort of attempt to insult the Dates and me. 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. Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. I just only pray he does not become spread too thin by leading two large churches. . Sad, but not at all surprising. Ill become senior pastor of both the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and remain that at Progressive.. I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. 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. and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. 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. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? Cancel culture is wrong but shouldnt we have heard something about it at least? I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. 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. I think these churches, with the history, the power, and relevance they have, can help shape a pipeline and platform for developing young people, young leaders, teachers, preachers, music ministry leaders, and nonprofit developers that Chicago needs these churches to develop across platforms. To donate, click here. Sign up for our newsletter: If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? fellowship and personal friendship, could have been met by a holy man of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or any other world religionor by a secular counselor or self-help advocate. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. At the emergence of the pandemic, the SBC donated to our emergency effort to provide online food delivery services for Chicagoans with SNAP benefits. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Some worry that a systemic view of racism, where a person is considered privileged or disadvantaged in society because of their race, conflicts with Christian beliefs about forgiveness or people holding equal value before God. Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? 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. It was the first time to my knowledge that white evangelicals had celebrated in concert the life, memory and work of the Rev. 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. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. 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. 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.. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church one of Chicago's biggest megachurches. They are good men who are sending a big message to the SBC, said Marshal Ausberry. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. They are ready to see their young adopt the very vestiges of hate that enslaved us in the name of Gods authoritative word. 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. 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. Dates preaches at the 2019 African American Preaching Conference. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. I do pray Pastor Dates is not spread too thin and that he has the support needed to lead such a large flock effectively. Progressive got insulated at one point. I left that conference feeling hopeful. Welcome to the weekly podcast of Progressive Baptist Church with Pastor and Author, Dr. Charlie Dates. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. 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. 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. And while Progressive is a large congregation (around 1000 members), it doesnt come close to Salem (which has about 10,000). He graduated with a PhD in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. 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. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. "I sense God performing a work of His Spirit that connects Salem to churches that need revitalization. How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. They would not. Theres a danger when the person idolized has a position of power and authority, particularly in a religious sense. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. You talked a bit about both churches significance to Chicago. 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. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! I dont know if Id recommend this to anybody. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. To invite Dr. Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? I like my pastor; I dont love him. 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. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. If we could look at the current moment and seize the opportunity to develop young people that God has laid his hand upon, then I think the best days of the church, in this critical culture, are in front of us. While West says he cannot offer a full affirmation of the theory, he does not see it as incompatible with the gospel. The mega church concept is already troublesome. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. 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. Thats their choice. In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The leaders of two majority-black megachurches in major cities announced this week that they will no longer affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. . And Progressive only has one location. 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. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. Woke Wars infiltrate Christian colleges, prof under fire for racial justice unit, Southern Baptists oust Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor, Professor Joeckel on why his contract, teachings on racial justice are under review, Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. It's time for us to bring in young people. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. 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. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. . "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hmm. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. Rev. Sign up for our newsletter: What specifically attracted you about this role at Salem Baptist? As for me, I will always be grateful. His wife Kirstie also followed up to pray with me and further encourage me. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. Progressive is a church of five generations. This was why I felt it safe to forge an alliance. 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. Brian How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? 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 . These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. Hi. 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. We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. How has he influenced you? Warren announced his intention to retire last year after over 40 years of ministry and began the search for "the next-generation pastor.". To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. . 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. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. Charlie Dates Current Workplace. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. No. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. No one knows. 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. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. Yeah thats in bad form. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. These churches are a gift. Marin Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. Just, wow. For the second time in two days, a prominent Black pastor has publicly quit the Southern Baptist Convention over its seminary presidents' campaign against Critical Race Theory. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. He served three terms as an Illinois state senator, was chairman of the state board of education, and ran in Chicagos 2011 mayoral race. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. Gleannings aggregates what others are reporting. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. And how have you begun planning to deal with those challenges? The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. But the bones are good. And I recognize that. 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. CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. Would a right-wing famous pastor like Voddie Baucham or Rob Jeffress be able to get away with using racial slurs??? 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. 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. They are selectively conservative. 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? It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. Rev. RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. Also, while there are many people in the comment section who rightfully call him to repent over it, there are plenty of others, including names such as Lecrae and Kyle J Howard, who tweeted their approval of his use of the slur. 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., He came out of our church, says Meeks, and its time for young people to step up and be given a chance.. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. 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. They both, in that regard, have a history of absolutely incredible pastors. Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. Preachers and teachers are there to instruct and shape us much like secular, academic teachers/professors. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Theres just no way you can pastor a church that big being involved in all of the details, right? 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. Its the same approach that created President Donald Trump, that makes sure that no Republican leader will challenge him publicly. 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. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? Last month, in a joint statement and individual remarks, the six presidents of SBC seminaries called critical race theory unbiblical and instead emphasized the need to turn to Christian teachings alone, not secular ideas, to confront racism. We need a new vision. To a visitor entering the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, on a recent Sunday, the assembly might have sounded like, The Rev. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. The first challenge is getting the churches to sense that where God gives a vision, theres always provision. The mega church concept is already troublesome. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. But Pastor Dates said, I know you probably dont like me right now, I can tell from how youre reacting to what Im saying; but Im not here to get you to like me. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. What I benefit from is far greater than just a tip from him here or there; its more of a model of a life lived. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). 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. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. One of the benefits at Progressive is that the operations of the church and systems and structures of the church, the day-to-day operations, are free to move independent of me. 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. To invite Dr. Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. 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. Pastoral leadership is a storied pillar in both of these churches. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. Pastor Charlie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Rhetoric at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and both a Master of Divinity Degree and PhD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School . Our seminaries, many of them are in decline. 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. I had to fight all of my flesh not to just walk away. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. Nationally known pastor Rev. I took President Adam Greenways invitation to return as a statement of good faith, that the seminary wanted to welcome me and many other Black ministers to contribute to its legacy, he wrote. I cant speak for them. I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. Learn more. Again, amen to that. Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. 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. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. 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. But what a blessing to the members of both congregations. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. 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. Progressive Service Time 9:30am 3658 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago Coming Up. Dates new role will mean others will take on some of what Dates does now at Progressive, he said. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. I just checked and you can still see the tweet for yourself, he refused to delete it. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. . 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.