No. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. That history is enormous. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. How will your role there look different? Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. 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. Charlie Dates Returns to the Chicago Church that Shaped Him While continuing to lead Progressive Baptist, the 41-year-old pastor was named the successor to James Meeks at Salem Baptist. We want to see younger families come to our church and the last thing that we want is to stand in the way of that.". But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. And the same for Salem, which might still have it. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. 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. 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. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. 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. "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.". Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. 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. 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.. Dr. To learn more about how you can begin or deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ, visit us at ProgressiveChicago.org . It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. 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. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Return to homepage. 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. 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. Im not sure I understand your point. 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. And Progressive only has one location. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. Let us know how we can pray for you and your family. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. It's time for us to bring in young people. Rev. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. 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. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. Preachers and teachers are there to instruct and shape us much like secular, academic teachers/professors. I am on assignment to lead the church forward in Chicago. 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. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. But dozens of majority-black churches are joining the SBC each year, so the numbers are still growingjust not as fast as they once were. . Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. He announced Sunday he'll preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. We want to see our church grow. 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. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. The head of the SBCs National African American Fellowship, which had raised concerns about the critical race theory statement a week ago, said he was saddened by the announcements. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. "We can multiply that in evangelism, in discipleship, in educating our kids in reducing violence, shutting down liquor stores and opening up new opportunities to help rescue families and that's the church being the church.". Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. - 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. 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. 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. 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. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. In op-eds announcing their decisions to leave, Charlie Dates of Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church and Ralph D. West of Houstons The Church Without Walls both criticized SBC seminary presidents declaration that critical race theory was incompatible with the denominations statement of faith. Dates called him an Uncle Ruckus on twitter, which is a derogatory slur used to describe a black man that embraces the whiteness of society instead of resisting it. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. These churches are a gift. The Rev. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. 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. 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. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. I didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. 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. To start, Dates will keep his current post as senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church, a 15-minute drive from the House of Hope arena where Salem Baptist meets. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. Thats their choice. In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. 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. Its time for Salem to move forward, he told his congregants. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. He graduated with a PhD in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. 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. 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. We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. To invite Dr. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. You talked a bit about both churches significance to Chicago. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Its been anchored in the community. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. Charlie E. Dates was presented to the church in February 2011. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. (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. His wife Kirstie also followed up to pray with me and further encourage me. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. Sad, but not at all surprising. To donate, click here. All rights reserved. Progressive Baptist Church. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. Rev. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. Marin Our city and our nation need the black church to be her best and brightest self and now is the time for churches to be strong," he said. Meeks and his wife say they don't want to stand in the next generation's way. 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. I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. 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. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. I dont know why; perhaps thats an attitude YOU need to pray about. . Yeah thats in bad form. Dates response to the controversy was that its not racist because its between black people. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. What I do sense is that theres still work to be done and vision to accomplish at Progressive at the same time that I begin my assignment at Salem. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. Salem Baptist is one of several megachurches whose pastors are passing the baton. Photo courtesy of Charlie Dates. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. What other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Just, wow. 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. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. and pro football. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. 53 min; FEB 8, 2023 "Can't Turn . 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. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 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. 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. Facebook/Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, Pastor Charlie Dates (R) and Rev. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! The statementposted on the anniversary of the 13th amendment abolishing slaverycalled for collective repentance and criticized those who would downplay SBCs racial history or label others as critical race theorists for acknowledging systemic injustices. 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. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. 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. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. 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. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when Dates was in the 5th grade. Its the same approach that created President Donald Trump, that makes sure that no Republican leader will challenge him publicly. 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. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. . Learn more. He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. We want to walk with you and your family in every step of the way. 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. Again, amen to that. (Perhaps due to my rarely being on social media for my own sanity). 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. Perspective by Charlie Dates. 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. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. 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. Rev. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. So, I propose to you that we need a new organism, not led in full by white men; a Christian collective that makes room for the essentials of the faith and the diversity of the Church; a robust engine that finances the impoverished sides of the Church, speaks justice courageously to the government and cares gently for the oppressed, marginalized and women. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. 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. Rev. Religion News Service reported that Fred Luter, the only black SBC president, signed on in agreement. 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.. My relationship with him is dynamic. 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. Book your appointment here. Show Progressive Baptist Church Podcast, Ep Great Expectations | Joshua 14:6-15 | Pastor Bryan Carter - Jul 26, 2022 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. The mega church concept is already troublesome. He announced Sunday hell preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. 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. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately? Brian 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. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. I dont know if Id recommend this to anybody. Meeks and his wife, Jamell, founded the church in 1985. Our PBC Teens are highly engaged in biblical teaching and discussion on how to navigate a Christian life amongst their peers. They are ready to see their young adopt the very vestiges of hate that enslaved us in the name of Gods authoritative word. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. The first challenge is getting the churches to sense that where God gives a vision, theres always provision. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. 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. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . 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