11,909 were here. To invite Dr. On one hand, Progressive is what I would call progressively traditional, and Salem is traditionally progressive. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. 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. This was why I felt it safe to forge an alliance. . These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. 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. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. 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.. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Perhaps I need to know whats defined as a megachurch? So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. What happend to your, well Jesus called the Pharisees wolves and a whole lot other mean words' defense (like when Trump called people sons of b*tches and a**holes)? We need new opportunities. 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. 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. 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. Dates also served on Salem's ministry team for a while before leaving in 2011 to serve as the leader of Progressive Baptist Church. Shes ready to work. 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. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. Its a sensitive time for both congregations, and I want to convey as they read this my love for both of them. Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. Not able to make? 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. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Rev. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I believe now that the time has come for me to yield to a younger person.. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? Pastoral leadership is a storied pillar in both of these churches. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. 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. They are happy to have a Black chapel speaker, the occasional conservative Black professor whose classes are not taken seriously or a Black employee who never bucks against their notions of superiority. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. How will your role there look different? The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. In 2011, at age 30, he became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 99-year history. 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. Neither is it a premeditated desire of mine. "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. My approach at Salem will be similar once I have learned again the way of the land. 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The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. - 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. I plan to lead through leaders. So we decided to cooperate and join our church to the SBC in what is known as a dual affiliation. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. Charlie Dates Current Workplace. . Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. They are ready to see their young adopt the very vestiges of hate that enslaved us in the name of Gods authoritative word. Charlie Dates has been working as a Youngest Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church for 12 years. 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. 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. He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Nationally known pastor Rev. 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 all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. And while Progressive is a large congregation (around 1000 members), it doesnt come close to Salem (which has about 10,000). 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. I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. Dr. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. 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. 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. That is a concerning statement. 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. 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. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. Progressive was once, decades ago, the kind of leading force of churches on the South Side. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. To invite Dr. But what is liberal in the history of American Christianity? Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? 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. What specifically attracted you about this role at Salem Baptist? James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church one of Chicago's biggest megachurches. Hmm. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? 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. And Progressive only has one location. 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. 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. 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. As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. I dont come out of thin air to either church; you can trace my lineage. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. 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. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? The two churches will remain separate, and he plans on preaching two sermons each Sunday. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. But it would be foolish to assume its humanly possible to do this in and of myself. 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. None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). 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. . He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . Progressive Service Time 9:30am 3658 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago Coming Up. He announced Sunday hell preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. 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. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. . He has a bachelor of arts degree in speech communication and rhetoric from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; a master of divinity degree and a Ph.D. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. You see many people who are guilty of holding onto positions too long, he says. No. Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. 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. Learn more. Charlie Dates is pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church of 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. Since then, conservative groups have been more vocal about what they see as an embrace of critical race theory and secular thinking by seminaries and denominational leaders, with the newly formed Conservative Baptist Network being among the most vocal opponents. 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. But as 2020 went on, I grew increasingly uneasy. 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. 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. I left that conference feeling hopeful. In 2011, at age 30, Rev. 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. 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. Pastor Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of The Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Charlie has 1 job listed on their profile. Yeah thats in bad form. 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 he added God is extending our platform and our reach to the point where Ill be able to provide pastoral leadership for both churches. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . Sign up now ! 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. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. Just, wow. 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. My response to the above is that that kind of filling of your personal needs, i.e. Rev. How has he influenced you? Show Progressive Baptist Church Podcast, Ep Great Expectations | Joshua 14:6-15 | Pastor Bryan Carter - Jul 26, 2022 Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. 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.. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. 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. I have, by the grace of God, the DNA of both churches.. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. 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. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. Photo courtesy of Charlie Dates. They are selectively conservative. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. Progressives buildings were built without a dime of debt at a time where Black people could not get a loan from a bank. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. 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. 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. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. 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. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! No One Knows. 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. I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. We want to celebrate YOU. After the neighborhood went dry, Walmart opened a store. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. 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. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. Rev. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. 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. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. 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. 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? Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. 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. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL 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.. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the. That would just be weird. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. Dates response to the controversy was that its not racist because its between black people. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To be clear, the SBC has some longstanding, credible Black pastors in its tribe, and I dont mean the kind who are tokens or assimilators.

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