Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. 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 didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. 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. 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. For the second time in two days, a prominent Black pastor has publicly quit the Southern Baptist Convention over its seminary presidents' campaign against Critical Race Theory. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! Woke Wars infiltrate Christian colleges, prof under fire for racial justice unit, Southern Baptists oust Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor, Professor Joeckel on why his contract, teachings on racial justice are under review, Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . But you seem determined to dismiss or belittle it in some sort of attempt to insult the Dates and me. Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. 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. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. Thats the old SBC. 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. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. These churches are a gift. Meeks has been activeand sometimes controversialin the community. . . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. 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. Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. It is good that you were ministered to personally by your pastor. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' Just, wow. Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. and pro football. He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. And how have you begun planning to deal with those challenges? 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. 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. The specter of racial animus and theological arrogance was giving way to a new era of Christian leadership, I suggested. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. 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. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. In accepting the role, Dates said he sees Salem Baptist Church of Chicago as a global church. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. Have you ever dreamed of owning a home, but don't know where to begin? None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. 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.. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. 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? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall. 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. 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. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. They are good men who are sending a big message to the SBC, said Marshal Ausberry. 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. We need new opportunities. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. Amen to thateven if the pastor in question is the Godliest guy on the planet to start with, which is seldom if ever the case. 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. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . . None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. Sad, but not at all surprising. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. 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. But what a blessing to the members of both congregations. So for me, what attracted me was God. While West says he cannot offer a full affirmation of the theory, he does not see it as incompatible with the gospel. My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. Theres a danger when the person idolized has a position of power and authority, particularly in a religious sense. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? 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. Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. That history is enormous. Progressive Baptist Church. I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. But what is liberal in the history of American Christianity? It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. 11,909 were here. Some worry that a systemic view of racism, where a person is considered privileged or disadvantaged in society because of their race, conflicts with Christian beliefs about forgiveness or people holding equal value before God. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. Weve already started the conversation that, at some point, the goal is to raise up leaders to do more work. I dont know if Id recommend this to anybody. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. I believe now that the time has come for me to yield to a younger person.. 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. And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. I can say Ive been called worse for going to white schools and belonging to white clubs, and Im kinda numb to it at my age. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. 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. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately? Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. We are partnering with The Chicago Partnership to present this opportunity to the South Side! 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. . He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. 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. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. 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. . I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. 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. He is a contributing author to Letters To A Birmingham Jail and Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition, and is currently working on his first single-authored book on Christianity and Social Justice. How has God moved and worked in ones life? But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! 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. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? That is exactly what I am objecting to though the fact that there is no way he can minister to 11,000 people in the way that he ministered to you. Return to homepage. 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. How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. No One Knows. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. Meeks, who is now 65 and served three terms as a state senator, told his congregation that he will preach his final sermon on Jan. 8, 2023, just five days before the church's 38th anniversary. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. Pastor Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of The Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Gleannings aggregates what others are reporting. The leaders of two majority-black megachurches in major cities announced this week that they will no longer affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. I dont come out of thin air to either church; you can trace my lineage. Charlie Dates named successor to James Meeks at 10K-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. We need a new vision. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . Not able to make? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. And the same for Salem, which might still have it. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. 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.. 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. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. 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. Charlie Dates is pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago. 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. 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.
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