Facebook/Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, Pastor Charlie Dates (R) and Rev. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church one of Chicago's biggest megachurches. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through 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. 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. As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. I just checked and you can still see the tweet for yourself, he refused to delete it. Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. Thats not always the case when you assume a pastorate. We are not merging the two churches and Salem is not absorbing Progressive, Dates said. Salem has its own kind of DNA, Progressive her own . Rev. No. Our seminaries, many of them are in decline. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. 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. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). How has God moved and worked in ones life? Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. "We want to see our church be vibrant. The mega church concept is already troublesome. Shes ready to work. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. 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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. And the same for Salem, which might still have it. Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. "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.". The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. I had to fight all of my flesh not to just walk away. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. (I cant imagine having NEVER met your pastor one-on-one). Sign up now ! Im not in the weeds at Progressive. I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. 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. There is a young man in our midst who is an exceptional preacher, Pastor Meeks told congregants Sunday, calling Charlie Dates both called and qualified., He came out of our church, says Meeks, and its time for young people to step up and be given a chance.. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Let us know how we can pray for you and your family. Im not sure I understand your point. 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. Rev. and pro football. 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. Thanks for the extra info here. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. . Dates's 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. 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. My relationship with him is dynamic. 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. That is a concerning statement. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. To invite Dr. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. In just our brief 15 minute interaction, he really ministered to me as he correctly sensed I was going through a season of loss that was challenging my faith. Progressive is a church of five generations. It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. 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. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? No one knows. The first challenge is getting the churches to sense that where God gives a vision, theres always provision. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. . Not able to make? Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. (Perhaps due to my rarely being on social media for my own sanity). 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. 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. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. Progressive Service Time 9:30am 3658 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago Coming Up. Charlie E. Dates was presented to the church in February 2011. Children are a gift from God. 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. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred. We want to celebrate YOU. 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. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. We want to walk with you and your family in every step of the way. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). 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. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. Sad, but not at all surprising. 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. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. That is a concerning statement. I dont even know what sort of issue Dates had with whoever (again, Im rarely on social media), but even I can spot your bias here. and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . 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. View Charlie Dates' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. . He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? Last month, Dates joined the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast to talk about the need for solid Christian preaching during tough times. I have to lead through my leaders. Progressives buildings were built without a dime of debt at a time where Black people could not get a loan from a bank. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. "It's time for Salem to move forward. Progressive Baptist Church. 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If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. Dr. Charlie Dates . Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. Its time for Salem to move forward, he told his congregants. And I recognize that. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. 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. As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. You see many people who are guilty of holding onto positions too long, he says. 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. How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? Our PBC Teens are highly engaged in biblical teaching and discussion on how to navigate a Christian life amongst their peers. And Progressive only has one location. 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. I had to tell my church I was wrong. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. Rev. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. Sign up for our newsletter: I left that conference feeling hopeful. 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.. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Its no longer that waywe are very much in the community nowbut thats the way it was. Charlie Dates preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. . How has he influenced you? I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church - Chicago . Rev. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. How will your role there look different? I dont know anything about Pastor Dates using a slur I havent heard anything about it, nor do I know anything about the context, response, or outcomes. 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. My approach at Salem will be similar once I have learned again the way of the land. 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. We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. 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. 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. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. Standing in the pulpit on Sunday at the House of, Feet splashed in puddles on a rainy Sunday afternoon as almost 1,000 people came together in Smyrna, a small town in Middle. Charlie Dates serves as the senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and teaches at Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct professor. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Again, amen to that. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. 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 just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. "There is a young man in our midst who is an exceptional preacher," Pastor Meeks told congregants Sunday, calling Charlie Dates both "called" and "qualified." Rev. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I have, by the grace of God, the DNA of both churches.. 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. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? 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. Through his passion for learning, living, and teaching the Gospel, Dr. Charlie serves as an Affiliate Professor at Baylor University- George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Wheaton College. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Rev. 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.. I plan to lead through leaders. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. "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.". Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? In 2006, he began serving as the primary . 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. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. You talked a bit about both churches significance to Chicago. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. From your posts (especially the prior one to this), it almost seems like your biggest qualification for a pastor is whether he or she makes you feel good; warm and fuzzy. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. But it would be foolish to assume its humanly possible to do this in and of myself. I cant speak much about Salem Baptist Church (other than its known in the Black community here in Chicago due to its sheer size), but I do know Progressive. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when Dates was in the 5th grade. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. They both, in that regard, have a history of absolutely incredible pastors. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". Rev. We need new ideas. 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. 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. Both of them have produced some stalwart Christian leaders and teachers. My response to the above is that that kind of filling of your personal needs, i.e. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. 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. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. That history is enormous. 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 more than just Progressive and Salem. - 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. Would a right-wing famous pastor like Voddie Baucham or Rob Jeffress be able to get away with using racial slurs??? Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. 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. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. Charlie Dates named successor to James Meeks at 10K-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. 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. After the neighborhood went dry, Walmart opened a store. 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. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. I just only pray he does not become spread too thin by leading two large churches. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. It's time for us to bring in young people. They would not. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. Nationally known pastor Rev. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". And I have loved various pastors like family; some have ministered to my family for DECADES, and have baptized, married, counseled, and even eulogized GENERATIONS of my family. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. 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. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. To a visitor entering the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, on a recent Sunday, the assembly might have sounded like, The Rev. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? But in this instance, youre actually bothered (I guess Uncle Ruckus is what crosses your line, but not sons of b*ches or a**holes) AND questioning Charlie Datess salvation? Progressive got insulated at one point. 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.. 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. 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. 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. In 2011, at age 30, Rev. RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. 11,909 were here.
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