Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. 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. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. 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. 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. 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. Its been anchored in the community. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? There is a HUGE problem with adoring a pastorany pastor, even a truly great one. Charlie served as an apprentice to Pastor K. Edward Copeland and started his formal, practical training at the New Zion Baptist Church of Rockford, Illinois. 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.. . 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. To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. But the bones are good. Legal Clinic The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. 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. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. Both of them have produced some stalwart Christian leaders and teachers. He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? He announced in June that he will give his last sermon on January 8, 2023. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Hi. Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. 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. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. And Progressive only has one location. He announced Sunday he'll preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. "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.". I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. Dates response to the controversy was that its not racist because its between black people. 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. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. Rev. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. Shes ready to work. 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. Cancel culture is wrong but shouldnt we have heard something about it at least? He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. To donate, click here. Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. 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. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Brian What other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. Its more than just Progressive and Salem. I am on assignment to lead the church forward in Chicago. 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. So Im not in a position to speak on that. Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? 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. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. 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. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. I dont know why; perhaps thats an attitude YOU need to pray about. RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. Charlie Dates of the Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, one of the pastors who have already severed ties, said the November statement was "the last straw." "When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism?" . I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. Facebook/Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, Pastor Charlie Dates (R) and Rev. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. Thats the old SBC. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. It was the first time to my knowledge that white evangelicals had celebrated in concert the life, memory and work of the Rev. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. It does not store any personal data. 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. If tons and tons of people love them and how they make them feel thats pretty much a sign that they are doing the *opposite* of the Great Commission. Progressive Baptist Church. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. (I cant imagine having NEVER met your pastor one-on-one). fellowship and personal friendship, could have been met by a holy man of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or any other world religionor by a secular counselor or self-help advocate. Rev. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? How has God moved and worked in ones life? September 3, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. EDT. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. At the emergence of the pandemic, the SBC donated to our emergency effort to provide online food delivery services for Chicagoans with SNAP benefits. Meeks has been activeand sometimes controversialin the community. Children are a gift from God. 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 sense God performing a work of His Spirit that connects Salem to churches that need revitalization. You sure seem ready to defend Trump and do the we dont know whats in his heart, only God knows if hes saved song and dance when it comes to explaining away Trumps lack of repentance or remorse for such language. Progressives buildings were built without a dime of debt at a time where Black people could not get a loan from a bank. Weve got to be able to have our 12 stones from our Chicago Jordan River, with a keen eye on the hills and mountains of Jericho and the other cities in Canaan. 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. Sad, but not at all surprising. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. 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.. 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. Nationally known pastor Rev. Sign up now ! 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.. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. 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. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . Charlie E. Dates was presented to the church in February 2011. 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. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. My approach at Salem will be similar once I have learned again the way of the land. 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. The resolution clarified the theory could be employed, but only subordinate to Scripture.. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. This workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. - 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. When Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Seminary, said the only politically moral option for Christians was the Republican Party, I asked other SBC leaders, good Christian men, to challenge him. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. Meeks and his wife say they don't want to stand in the next generation's way. . And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. 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. If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. Brian Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. 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. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior . And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Thats the good ol boys club. 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. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. How did they, who in 2020 still dont have a single Black denominational entity head, reject once and for all a theory that helps to frame the real race problems we face? Dates wrote in an op-ed Friday for the Religion News Service. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. Progressive is a church of five generations. 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.". I do pray Pastor Dates is not spread too thin and that he has the support needed to lead such a large flock effectively. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. 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. Marin 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. Have you ever dreamed of owning a home, but don't know where to begin? 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. 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 cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. 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. Not able to make? 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. Dr. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. Adoring sounds like its crossed the line into idolatrysomething a lot of these guys at bare minimum do nothing to discourage, and a few outright seek. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. He shared a vision of revival. Its time for a young generation to come forward with new challenges facing us.. 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. . Thats their choice. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. Again, amen to that. All the old leaders stay in place and dont open up and make room for new leadership. Hmm. James Meeks, founder and longtime senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church on the citys far South Side. Im still surprised Charlie Dates wasnt forced to step down after he publicly used a racial slur against Virgil Walker on social media last year. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago Pastor: Dr. Charlie E. Dates Website: www.progressivechicago.org Giving/Donations: https://progressivechicago.org/give IG: We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' 11,909 were here. 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 dont see anything wrong with loving those who Christ calls us to love, which includes our brothers and sisters in Christ (that includes pastors). As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. The resistance, especially from some of our elderly membership, was swift and sincere. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. Rev. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. And I dont even go to Progressive, which is less than 15 minutes from my home (closer than my current church home). Charlie Dates preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017.
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