Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. Let us know how we can pray for you and your family. My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. To learn more about how you can begin or deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ, visit us at ProgressiveChicago.org . Charlie Dates serves as the senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and teaches at Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct professor. 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. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. Salem Baptist is one of several megachurches whose pastors are passing the baton. The two churches will remain separate, and he plans on preaching two sermons each Sunday. I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. As for me, I will always be grateful. View Charlie Dates' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . It is good that you were ministered to personally by your pastor. 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. 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. 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 . 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. 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. They are selectively conservative. They are good men who are sending a big message to the SBC, said Marshal Ausberry. 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. Who will pay for the SBCs abuse reforms over the long term? Sign up for our newsletter: Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. (RNS) In 2018, something happened at the MLK50 Conference in Memphis, an event co-hosted by the Southern Baptist Conventions policy arm and The Gospel Coalition. Im here to speak the truth in love to you to keep you from going down a path that may seem comforting to you now, but it will ensnare you.. After the neighborhood went dry, Walmart opened a store. Dates new role will mean others will take on some of what Dates does now at Progressive, he said. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. 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). Charlie has 1 job listed on their profile. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. While continuing to lead Progressive Baptist, the 41-year-old pastor was named the successor to James Meeks at Salem Baptist Church, one of the citys biggest congregations. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In 2020, Dates, married with two children, was among a number of black Christian church leaders to cut ties with the Southern Baptist Convention over a statement from the denomination's Council of Seminary Presidents denouncing racism and critical race theory. Rev. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. 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. Have you ever dreamed of owning a home, but don't know where to begin? In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago Pastor: Dr. Charlie E. Dates Website: www.progressivechicago.org Giving/Donations: https://progressivechicago.org/give IG: 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. Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). 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. Charlie E. Dates is the senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church and Progressive Baptist Church, two of the oldest and largest historically Black churches in Chicago, Illinois. Theres a danger when the person idolized has a position of power and authority, particularly in a religious sense. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. How will your role there look different? The specter of racial animus and theological arrogance was giving way to a new era of Christian leadership, I suggested. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. Progressive Baptist Church. 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. Perhaps I need to know whats defined as a megachurch? 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. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. 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. 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. 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. Its evangelism, its benevolence, its disciple-making have all been very Christo-centric and rooted in the Scriptures. We want to see our church grow. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! 11,909 were here. As I am contemplating leaving my current evangelical church, Progressive is on my list of places Im considering and praying about for a new church home, and a lot of it is due to the Dates family. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. It's time for us to bring in young people. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. . 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. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Two things. 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. It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! From 2016 to 2019, too, I preached on the campuses of four of the SBC seminaries and had been invited to another. Warren announced his intention to retire last year after over 40 years of ministry and began the search for "the next-generation pastor.". Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. 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Shes ready to work. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Rev. Meeks called Dates the greatest preacher in our nation. This workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. 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. So Im not in a position to speak on that. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. Sign up for our newsletter: 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. But you seem determined to dismiss or belittle it in some sort of attempt to insult the Dates and me. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Marin 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. Thats the old SBC. Were living in a time where so many young people are walking away from the church and where church attendance numbers are in the dumps. Dates preaches at the 2019 African American Preaching Conference. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. 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. Its been anchored in the community. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. We need a new vision. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. From your posts (especially the prior one to this), it almost seems like your biggest qualification for a pastor is whether he or she makes you feel good; warm and fuzzy. I dont need to be Einstein to understand that with all these jobs he is not truly doing any of them full time. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? Dates response to the controversy was that its not racist because its between black people. To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. Thats their choice. 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. and pro football. That is exactly what I am objecting to though the fact that there is no way he can minister to 11,000 people in the way that he ministered to you. I 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. 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. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Rev. 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. This was why I felt it safe to forge an alliance. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Nationally known pastor Rev. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. 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. 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. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. The resolution clarified the theory could be employed, but only subordinate to Scripture.. So for me, what attracted me was God. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. Rev. . 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. Its no longer that waywe are very much in the community nowbut thats the way it was. The Rev. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. 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.. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Show Progressive Baptist Church Podcast, Ep Great Expectations | Joshua 14:6-15 | Pastor Bryan Carter - Jul 26, 2022 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. Chuck Smith himself, who started out as every kind of salt and light, found himself tempted by the limelight as he got bigger and bigger, and we saw more and more of his flaws as time went on. My relationship with him is dynamic. 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. Ill tell you: abolition, the womens suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, a Black U.S. president who was initially against partial-birth abortion, non-white male faculty at their seminaries and now a theory that uncovers our nations de jure and de facto segregation. That is a concerning statement. 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. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when Dates was in the 5th grade. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. But as 2020 went on, I grew increasingly uneasy. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. 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. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? 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. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. 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. Nationally known pastor Rev. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. That would just be weird. 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. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. I plan to lead through leaders. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. 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. I cant speak much about Salem Baptist Church (other than its known in the Black community here in Chicago due to its sheer size), but I do know Progressive. . 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. He opposed the legalization of gay marriage,called for a boycott over funding disparities at Chicago Public Schools, and once served as spiritual adviser to disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. 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. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me.