If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. To a visitor entering the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, on a recent Sunday, the assembly might have sounded like, The Rev. Charlie has also led Progressive in being a very put faith into action church here in the Chicago Black community. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall. Rev. Thats their choice. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. Our PBC Teens are highly engaged in biblical teaching and discussion on how to navigate a Christian life amongst their peers. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. Charlie Dates - Youngest.. - Progressive Baptist Church | ZoomInfo Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. Have you ever dreamed of owning a home, but don't know where to begin? I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. We want to walk with you and your family in every step of the way. How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? This isnt something that I read or something that I watched; this is a ministry that I participated in and had a front row seat to as a kid, said Dates, who grew up at Salem and attended its former school, Salem Christian Academy. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. After the neighborhood went dry, Walmart opened a store. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. What other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? Thats the old SBC. 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. Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church - Chicago . The leaders of two majority-black megachurches in major cities announced this week that they will no longer affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. 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. Yeah thats in bad form. I think that there is a place in the body of Christ for large and small churches alike; I have been a member of both at various points in my walk with Christ, and can speak to the benefits and challenges of both. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. fellowship and personal friendship, could have been met by a holy man of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or any other world religionor by a secular counselor or self-help advocate. Come stop by the north lobby to have your picture and/or video taken on March 19th and the 26th directly following service, As our church family continues to grow, we want to welcome our new members home. 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. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. (I cant imagine having NEVER met your pastor one-on-one). 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. Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. 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. 'More Than Just Talk:' Black Southern Baptist Pastors Urge Racial Unity 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. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. 99% of these megachurch icons and celebrities were nowhere near as righteous as Smith to start with, and only continue to deteriorate from that starting point, with time and fame. 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. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon Its more than just Progressive and Salem. I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. We want to celebrate YOU. Progressive Baptist Church Chicago - YouTube He shared a vision of revival. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. Not able to make? Sign up for our newsletter: I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. Charlie Dates Returns to the Chicago Church that Shaped Him And while Progressive is a large congregation (around 1000 members), it doesnt come close to Salem (which has about 10,000). 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. 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. 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. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. Some Black Southern Baptists feel shut out by white leaders I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. If we in the SBC had shown as much sorrow for the painful legacy that sin has left as we show passion to decry CRT, we probably wouldnt be in this mess., Critical race theory isnt clearly defined, but generally refers to an approach to racism as systemic and embedded in society. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. Dates response to the controversy was that its not racist because its between black people. Charlie Dates Has Led Progressive Baptist To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. (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. So Im not in a position to speak on that. Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. 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. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. Photo courtesy of Charlie Dates. Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. I am on assignment to lead the church forward in Chicago. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? If that is YOUR definition of ministering to someone (because that is the language I used, and you jumped to that conclusion), YOU need to revisit it. I have to lead through my leaders. Preachers and teachers are there to instruct and shape us much like secular, academic teachers/professors. Progressive Baptist Church (map) Google Calendar ICS Join us in the sanctuary from 4pmCT -6pmCT as we meet and greet political candidates running to be the mayor of our great city this upcoming Spring. 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. Our Team THE CHICAGO PARTNERSHIP Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. He graduated with a PhD in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . They are to us what the Electoral College is to the United States: a body that no longer produces what it originally promised. Charlie Dates Archives - ERLC How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? 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. Weve already started the conversation that, at some point, the goal is to raise up leaders to do more work. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? 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. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. Progressive Baptist Church Chicago - YouTube 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. "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. Charlie Dates Current Workplace. Every church that lives in the past is already anchoring itself in the graveyard of history. Book your appointment here. 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. 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 . 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. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Progressive is a church of five generations. 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? In 2006, he began serving as the primary . - 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. Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. 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. Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. Another prominent Black Baptist pastor publicly quits the SBC Nationally known pastor Rev. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when Dates was in the 5th grade. Its time for a young generation to come forward with new challenges facing us.. 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?" Warren announced his intention to retire last year after over 40 years of ministry and began the search for "the next-generation pastor.". Great! He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. It was the first time to my knowledge that white evangelicals had celebrated in concert the life, memory and work of the Rev. That would just be weird. and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . But as 2020 went on, I grew increasingly uneasy. . 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 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. Perhaps I need to know whats defined as a megachurch? The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. Charlie earned an M.Div. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. . That is a concerning statement. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? Dubois, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Mary Mcloud - Bethune, Dr. Charlies orientation and early formation were significantly bent toward the theological reflection of Black people. As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. 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. 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. Charlie Dates is pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago. Another thing is I dont think this dual assignment is in perpetuity. 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. So he is going to pastor two large churches in addition to teaching at several colleges. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. He served three terms as an Illinois state senator, was chairman of the state board of education, and ran in Chicagos 2011 mayoral race. 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. True authentic faith is going to be limited to a tiny remnant in the last days; the separation of wheat and tares is being done as we speak. Children are a gift from God. Progressive Baptist Church. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. Im not sure I understand your point. How will your role there look different? Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. 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. The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. 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. PODCAST - I Can't Breathe | Charlie Dates - The Center for Pastor Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. Meet Our Pastor Progressive Baptist Church Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. So for me, what attracted me was God. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. Rev. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. 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. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. No one knows. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. Progressive Baptist Church Podcast on Apple Podcasts No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. . 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.. 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 Dates is set to succeed Rev. And how have you begun planning to deal with those challenges? Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. 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 workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. 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 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. 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. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. 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. 11,909 were here. 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. 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. 53 min; FEB 8, 2023 "Can't Turn . As for me, I will always be grateful. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. As one Conservative Baptist Network member said, they must constantly repent but can never actually be forgiven., A group of Southern Baptist pastors released a statement Friday voicing their opposition to any movement in the SBC that seeks to distract from racial reconciliation through the gospel and that denies the reality of systemic injustices.. Black Church Figures You Should Know: Dr. Charlie Dates Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. There is a HUGE problem with adoring a pastorany pastor, even a truly great one. I have, by the grace of God, the DNA of both churches.. The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. "And God has blessed us with our own son who has agreed starting January 15th, 2023, to be the next pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.". He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. 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.