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. 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 wrote in an op-ed Friday for the Religion News Service. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. They would not. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. 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. Charlie has 1 job listed on their profile. 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.. We want to walk with you and your family in every step of the way. But dozens of majority-black churches are joining the SBC each year, so the numbers are still growingjust not as fast as they once were. Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? 53 min; FEB 8, 2023 "Can't Turn . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. No. I dont need to be Einstein to understand that with all these jobs he is not truly doing any of them full time. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. 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 Rev. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. Children are a gift from God. This workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. I will admit to knowing very little about Charlie Dates, but what Gus Chiggins posted is extremely concerning. Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. 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. Have you ever dreamed of owning a home, but don't know where to begin? 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. As for me, I will always be grateful. 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. 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. 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. "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. We were already working with the SBC on a training program at our church, and almost all of the Illinois Baptist State and SBC national leaders I had met seemed aware that their forefathers fell woefully short of any standard of biblical justice. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. Dr. Charlie Dates . Nationally known pastor Rev. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. Meeks and his wife say they don't want to stand in the next generation's way. 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. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. But what is liberal in the history of American Christianity? In his June 19 sermon, he told congregants hes retiring as of January 15, 2023, and the Rev. Please click here to learn how. It actually makes me think of Moses, who was advised on how to make leading the growing number of Israelites more manageable by placing them into groups and delegating. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. And I recognize that. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). 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. Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. 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. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. They are good men who are sending a big message to the SBC, said Marshal Ausberry. 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. Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. 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.. We need a new vision. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. 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. 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. Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. Facebook/Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, Pastor Charlie Dates (R) and Rev. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. 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. 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 would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. 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. 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. The 65-year-old has been a pastor for 42 years and said he feels like hes got 42 more years in me. But Meeks added hes learned from King Davids life when its time to come off the battlefield.. . He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Great! 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. 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. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. That is a concerning statement. I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. Its a sensitive time for both congregations, and I want to convey as they read this my love for both of them. . Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Rev. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. The two churches will remain separate, and he plans on preaching two sermons each Sunday. Chicago needs the Black church to be her best and brightest self. 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. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Dates new role will mean others will take on some of what Dates does now at Progressive, he said. They are selectively conservative. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Some in our ranks inappropriately use the label of CRT! to avoid legitimate questions or as a cudgel to dismiss any discussion of discrimination. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? 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. Im just saying that at the juncture were in and being a son of the soil of Chicago and a son of Salem, and now having pastored Progressive, I just think I have a unique understanding and relational dynamic with both churches. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. They are ready to send their young students to the very seminaries that are both vestiges of racial animus and also the places where these harmful attitudes are perpetuated. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The mega church concept is already troublesome. I am on assignment to lead the church forward in Chicago. . 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. To them, a belief in a high view of Scripture must mean an adaptation of Republican politics and, with it, the dismissal of critical race theory and intersectionality because of a fear of liberalism. That said, our church has just as high a view (if not higher) of Scripture as any SBC church, but theirs is an inconsistent epistemology. 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. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 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. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. Its no longer that waywe are very much in the community nowbut thats the way it was. 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. Neither is it a premeditated desire of mine. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. 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. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. . We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. We need new ideas. 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. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Salem Baptist is one of several megachurches whose pastors are passing the baton. I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . 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. In op-eds announcing their decisions to leave, Charlie Dates of Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church and Ralph D. West of Houstons The Church Without Walls both criticized SBC seminary presidents declaration that critical race theory was incompatible with the denominations statement of faith. He shared a vision of revival. Its time for a young generation to come forward with new challenges facing us.. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. That is a concerning statement. (I cant imagine having NEVER met your pastor one-on-one). So he is going to pastor two large churches in addition to teaching at several colleges. If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. When did those who have yet to hire multiple Black or brown faculty at their seminaries assume ethical authority on the subject of systemic injustice? I like my pastor; I dont love him. 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. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. I left that conference feeling hopeful. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred. (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. 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. Rev. It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. . By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. Progressive Baptist Church. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Again, amen to that. Religion News Service reported that Fred Luter, the only black SBC president, signed on in agreement. I dont know why; perhaps thats an attitude YOU need to pray about. Brian I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. Gleannings aggregates what others are reporting. 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. And the same for Salem, which might still have it. We want to celebrate YOU. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. After 11 years at Progressive and watching more than 1,000 people join that church in that time, its fair to say that I carry the DNA of both churches. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the. 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. and pro football. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! 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. 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. And if you think it feels good, warm and fuzzy to be confronted about your sin when youre in the middle of grief, you are VERY mistaken. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. Weve got to be able to have our 12 stones from our Chicago Jordan River, with a keen eye on the hills and mountains of Jericho and the other cities in Canaan. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. Dates preaches at the 2019 African American Preaching Conference. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. 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