Sad, but not at all surprising. Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. I have, by the grace of God, the DNA of both churches.. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. He announced Sunday hell preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. 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. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2011, at age 30, Rev. 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. Progressive got insulated at one point. Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. 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. 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 . I just only pray he does not become spread too thin by leading two large churches. Great! They are ready to see their young adopt the very vestiges of hate that enslaved us in the name of Gods authoritative word. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. Who will pay for the SBCs abuse reforms over the long term? Return to homepage. Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. It is good that you were ministered to personally by your pastor. 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. 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. 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. . Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. 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. 53 min; FEB 8, 2023 "Can't Turn . But it would be foolish to assume its humanly possible to do this in and of myself. Dr. Charlie Dates . In 2006, he began serving as the primary . View Charlie Dates' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. 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. But what is liberal in the history of American Christianity? As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. 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. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. Rev. I had to tell my church I was wrong. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. Rev. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? 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. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. And how have you begun planning to deal with those challenges? Learn more. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. The other thing is, in terms of preaching, I plan on preaching two services on Sunday morning: one at Progressive and one at Salem. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? And I dont even go to Progressive, which is less than 15 minutes from my home (closer than my current church home). I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. 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. Charlie Dates Has Led Progressive Baptist To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. 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. 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. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. All the old leaders stay in place and dont open up and make room for new leadership. I have to lead through my leaders. The specter of racial animus and theological arrogance was giving way to a new era of Christian leadership, I suggested. Charlie Dates has been working as a Youngest Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church for 12 years. 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. 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. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. 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. How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? 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. 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. He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. Meeks called Dates the greatest preacher in our nation. 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. Meeks and his wife say they don't want to stand in the next generation's way. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. And Im not sure how bringing up holy men of other faiths comes into it I was at a Christian event seeking Biblically-rooted ministry, and thats what Pastor Dates and his wife provided. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. 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. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Charlie has also led Progressive in being a very put faith into action church here in the Chicago Black community. Warren announced his intention to retire last year after over 40 years of ministry and began the search for "the next-generation pastor.". If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. So he is going to pastor two large churches in addition to teaching at several colleges. 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. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. 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. Legal Clinic The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Chicago needs the Black church to be her best and brightest self. I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Dates preaches at the 2019 African American Preaching Conference. To donate, click here. 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.. Thats not always the case when you assume a pastorate. How will your role there look different? It does not store any personal data. 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. To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. . My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. No One Knows. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church one of Chicago's biggest megachurches. The backstage conversations at these gatherings promised a new era of advancement on race and theology. Progressive was once, decades ago, the kind of leading force of churches on the South Side. Perhaps I need to know whats defined as a megachurch? Its more than just Progressive and Salem. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT: After Chaos and Crisis, Beth Moore Still Finds Refuge in the Church, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Beautiful Mystery of Gods Silence. You see many people who are guilty of holding onto positions too long, he says. 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. Meeks and his wife, Jamell, founded the church in 1985. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. I had to fight all of my flesh not to just walk away. Rev. I do pray Pastor Dates is not spread too thin and that he has the support needed to lead such a large flock effectively. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. The mega church concept is already troublesome. 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. 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. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. 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 specifically attracted you about this role at Salem Baptist? All rights reserved. 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. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. Speaking with CT, Dates drew parallels to Paul and Timothy, referencing Pauls instructions to the younger leader based on what he had witnessed firsthand in ministry. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. Charlie Dates is pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. 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 believe now that the time has come for me to yield to a younger person.. Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. 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? Theres something about the formation of my mind and my theological heart that is directly shaped by and impacted by watching all of that, and working in all of that, as I came of age, he said. These churches are a gift. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. We are partnering with The Chicago Partnership to present this opportunity to the South Side! One of the benefits at Progressive is that the operations of the church and systems and structures of the church, the day-to-day operations, are free to move independent of me. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. In 2020, Dates, married with two children, was among a number of black Christian church leaders to cut ties with the Southern Baptist Convention over a statement from the denomination's Council of Seminary Presidents denouncing racism and critical race theory. 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. 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. Are there things at Progressive you will have to step away from? What other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). - 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. Please click here to learn how. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately? Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I also want to suggest that Chicago, and America, needs churches that are developing and reproducing young pastors, that we become more intentional about it. If we could look at the current moment and seize the opportunity to develop young people that God has laid his hand upon, then I think the best days of the church, in this critical culture, are in front of us. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. Meeks has been activeand sometimes controversialin the community. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when Dates was in the 5th grade. 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 completely understand your concern, Tricia. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. 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. Perspective by Charlie Dates. (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. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. 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. Charlie Dates preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017. 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. Gleannings aggregates what others are reporting. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. That is a concerning statement. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. 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. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. 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. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . 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. I cant speak for them. 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. 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. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. 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. We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. So Im not in a position to speak on that. Ill become senior pastor of both the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and remain that at Progressive.. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? 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. Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? Nationally known pastor Rev. 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. In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. 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. 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. Shes ready to work. Brian 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. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL Yeah thats in bad form. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. Its time for a young generation to come forward with new challenges facing us.. From 2016 to 2019, too, I preached on the campuses of four of the SBC seminaries and had been invited to another. We want to see our church grow. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. 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.