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. These churches are a gift. Learn more. If I can help these churches recognize Gods hand in their past as a kind of indication of God, of what God wants to do in the future, then I think I can hand it off to the next generation in good fashion. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. Its time for a young generation to come forward with new challenges facing us.. If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. Thanks for the extra info here. As CT reported in August, there werent signs of a trend of majority-black churches leaving in the most recent denomination report from 2018, though the rates of growth year-over-year had slowed after shooting up in the early 2000s. He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". To invite Dr. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. He shared a vision of revival. 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. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. How will your role there look different? I completely understand your concern, Tricia. Please click here to learn how. CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. We are partnering with The Chicago Partnership to present this opportunity to the South Side! 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. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL 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 . PODCAST - I Can't Breathe | Charlie Dates - The Center for Pastor 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. Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. The two churches will remain separate, and he plans on preaching two sermons each Sunday. What other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? 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. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Wheaton Koinonia | Yesterday, Charlie Dates, the Senior Pastor at When Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Seminary, said the only politically moral option for Christians was the Republican Party, I asked other SBC leaders, good Christian men, to challenge him. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. 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. 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. Children are a gift from God. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Legal Clinic The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. I left that conference feeling hopeful. Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. Wests The Church Without Walls (originally Brookhollow Baptist Church) has ranked among the 100 biggest in the country and averages 9,000 people in weekly attendance, according to its site. . None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. It's time for us to bring in young people. In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. 'We out': Charlie Dates on why his church is leaving the SBC over Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. Sign up for our newsletter: In addition, the 41-year-old also served under Meeks as primary preaching assistant, pastor of adult ministries, and director of church operations at Salem Baptist before becoming senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church in 2011. 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. Meeks and his wife, Jamell, founded the church in 1985. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. 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. Two Prominent Pastors Break With SBC After Critical Race T | News @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. To donate, click here. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. Sign up for our newsletter: If tons and tons of people love them and how they make them feel thats pretty much a sign that they are doing the *opposite* of the Great Commission. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In 2011, at age 30, he became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 99-year history. In his response, current SBC president Greear asked that fellow members of the denomination consider their concerns and suggested that there are things we can learn from worldly philosophies like critical race theory., Last week, prior to West and Datess announcements, Ausberry, who serves as SBC first vice president and head of the denominations National African American Fellowship, responded to the seminary presidents statement by saying that systemic racism exists and there are theories and constructs that help us to see and discover otherwise undetected, systemic racism in institutions and in ourselves., Especially for those of us who have experienced the brunt of systemic racism in our daily lives, our seminary presidents are good men and they had good intent, Ausberry said in an interview with Baptist Press, but the optics of six Anglo brothers meeting to discuss racism and other related issues without having ethnic representation in the room in 2020, at worst it looks like paternalism, at best insensitivity. And the same for Salem, which might still have it. My relationship with him is dynamic. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. Preachers and teachers are there to instruct and shape us much like secular, academic teachers/professors. Dates graduated from Salem Baptists Christian school, which has since closed. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. 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. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. I just only pray he does not become spread too thin by leading two large churches. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. 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. 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. Their stand against racism rings hollow when in their next breath they reject theories that have been helpful in framing the problem of racism, he wrote, disappointed that the presidents would come together to speak out against it rather than turning their criticism toward other ills such a racism itself. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. While West says he cannot offer a full affirmation of the theory, he does not see it as incompatible with the gospel. . That is a concerning statement. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. 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. 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. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. They are selectively conservative. 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. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? 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. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? 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. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. (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. No one knows. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately? 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. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall. 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. We want to celebrate YOU. The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 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. Our PBC Teens are highly engaged in biblical teaching and discussion on how to navigate a Christian life amongst their peers. Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. 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. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. Thats their choice. But what is liberal in the history of American Christianity? 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. Brian As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. Dates preaches at the 2019 African American Preaching Conference. They are to us what the Electoral College is to the United States: a body that no longer produces what it originally promised. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. 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. I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. 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. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT: Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Beautiful Mystery of Gods Silence. 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. 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. . Hmm. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. 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. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. Chicago needs the Black church to be her best and brightest self. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Dates new role will mean others will take on some of what Dates does now at Progressive, he said. To learn more about how you can begin or deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ, visit us at ProgressiveChicago.org . Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. Charlie Dates 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. As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I dont even know what sort of issue Dates had with whoever (again, Im rarely on social media), but even I can spot your bias here. Warren announced his intention to retire last year after over 40 years of ministry and began the search for "the next-generation pastor.". 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. 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. Charlie Dates Archives - ERLC "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. Feel free to watch our services online! Are there things at Progressive you will have to step away from? Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. 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. On March 27-28, Dates will give a sermon and lecture at Samford University for the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies annual Dotson M. Nelson Lecture. 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. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. Datess 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 denomination. Charlie Dates | moodyaudio.com Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. And I recognize that. 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. Shes ready to work. Rev. My response to the above is that that kind of filling of your personal needs, i.e. Progressive Baptist Church Chicago - YouTube Salem Baptist is one of several megachurches whose pastors are passing the baton. Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. Rev. Why America needs the Black church for its own survival 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' 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. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. 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. That would just be weird. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. Charlie Dates of the Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, one of the pastors who have already severed ties, said the November statement was "the last straw." "When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism?" Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. 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. 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. 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. It was the first time to my knowledge that white evangelicals had celebrated in concert the life, memory and work of the Rev. Progressive Baptist Church Podcast on Apple Podcasts 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. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. And I dont even go to Progressive, which is less than 15 minutes from my home (closer than my current church home). Im not in the weeds at Progressive. 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. How has God moved and worked in ones life? 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. My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. I had to tell my church I was wrong. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We want to see our church grow. Great! Biblical and Religious Studies Host Chicago Pastor for 2023 Dotson M How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? Nationally known pastor Rev. The specter of racial animus and theological arrogance was giving way to a new era of Christian leadership, I suggested. 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. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Progressive got insulated at one point. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. 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. 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. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. 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. 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. 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. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. - Charlie Dates, pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, a church aligned with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, a mostly Black denomination, and also with the Illinois Baptist State Association, which is an SBC affiliate.