Learn more. 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. Pastoral leadership is a storied pillar in both of these churches. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. So we decided to cooperate and join our church to the SBC in what is known as a dual affiliation. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. 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. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. Shes ready to work. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. They both, in that regard, have a history of absolutely incredible pastors. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. "It's time for Salem to move forward. 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. Charlie Dates named successor to James Meeks at 10K-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Marin As a highly sought-after speaker, he is widely invited to preach at churches and speak at retreats, conferences, and universities throughout the United States and abroad. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. 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? 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. 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. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Charlie Dates serves as the senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and teaches at Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct professor. Dr. Charlie Dates . Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. 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.. If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. Facebook/Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, Pastor Charlie Dates (R) and Rev. Brian 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. It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. You see many people who are guilty of holding onto positions too long, he says. "We want to see our church be vibrant. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. 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. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. 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. 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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. Sign up now ! 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. I dont need to be Einstein to understand that with all these jobs he is not truly doing any of them full time. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Both of them have produced some stalwart Christian leaders and teachers. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 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. Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! Charlie Dates has been working as a Youngest Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church for 12 years. He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 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. Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. They would not. Please click here to learn how. Progressives buildings were built without a dime of debt at a time where Black people could not get a loan from a bank. We need new ideas. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. 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. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. 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. Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. . Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. It's 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. And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. 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. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Pastor Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of The Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Neither is it a premeditated desire of mine. So he is going to pastor two large churches in addition to teaching at several colleges. The other thing is, in terms of preaching, I plan on preaching two services on Sunday morning: one at Progressive and one at Salem. . I will admit to knowing very little about Charlie Dates, but what Gus Chiggins posted is extremely concerning. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. Thanks for the extra info here. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. 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. Rev. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? Meeks called Dates the greatest preacher in our nation. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. 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. Not able to make? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? How has he influenced you? I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. 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. Nationally known pastor Rev. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! And I recognize that. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. 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. . Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. 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. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. I am on assignment to lead the church forward in Chicago. I would think its a good thing that I can speak from personal experience with the Dates, instead of some sort of I read his book fan club adoration. 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). In accepting the role, Dates said he sees Salem Baptist Church of Chicago as a global church. Our seminaries, many of them are in decline. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . Welcome to the weekly podcast of Progressive Baptist Church with Pastor and Author, Dr. Charlie Dates. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. 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. 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. 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. In 2011, at age 30, Rev. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. Return to homepage. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. The only outcome can be from their life experience, which really ignores the broader family of Southern Baptists.. September 3, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. EDT. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? Progressive is a church of five generations. 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. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. Religion News Service reported that Fred Luter, the only black SBC president, signed on in agreement. As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. Chicago needs the Black church to be her best and brightest self. I dont know why; perhaps thats an attitude YOU need to pray about. They are good men who are sending a big message to the SBC, said Marshal Ausberry. None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). The resolution clarified the theory could be employed, but only subordinate to Scripture.. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. View Charlie Dates' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Rev. Perspective by Charlie Dates. How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. 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. 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. 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. That history is enormous. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. To invite Dr. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. 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 . 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. I have, by the grace of God, the DNA of both churches.. 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. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. He announced Sunday hell preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. 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. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the. This workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. 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. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. 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. . Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Who will pay for the SBCs abuse reforms over the long term? Rev. 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. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. It was the first time to my knowledge that white evangelicals had celebrated in concert the life, memory and work of the Rev. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. 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. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Hmm. 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. 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. To donate, becoming Progressives youngest-ever senior pastor, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago Unity Service Brings Together Christians Across Ethnic Lines, Chicago Pastor James Meeks Bids Tearful Farewell After 38 Years at Salem Baptist, Tennessee Charity Walk to Fund Needed Wells Persists Despite Rainy Conditions, Eden Village Ministry Aims to End Homelessness Through Tiny Home Communities, Gateway Seminary to Fund Short-Term Mission Trips for All Students, Vineyard Pastor Resigns, Wont Cooperate With Probe Into Sons Alleged Misconduct, Why Businessman Peter Chung Matters for the Future of The Kings College. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. The specter of racial animus and theological arrogance was giving way to a new era of Christian leadership, I suggested. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. Im not sure I understand your point. How will your role there look different? . and pro football. . 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. I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. Its kind of like a kid learning a language; when youre immersed in the language, no one has to tell you what words mean and what signals mean.. 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. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. What specifically attracted you about this role at Salem Baptist? I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. But it would be foolish to assume its humanly possible to do this in and of myself. My relationship with him is dynamic. 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. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. 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 completely understand your concern, Tricia. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. Rev. 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). CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. 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. Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. I cant speak for them. We are partnering with The Chicago Partnership to present this opportunity to the South Side! He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. 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. He was also on staff at Salem Baptist for five years as Meeks preaching assistant before becoming Progressives youngest-ever senior pastor at age 30.
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