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. "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. Return to homepage. Chuck Smith himself, who started out as every kind of salt and light, found himself tempted by the limelight as he got bigger and bigger, and we saw more and more of his flaws as time went on. Nationally known pastor Rev. 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. Rev. 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. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. On one hand, the legacy has to continue. And while Progressive is a large congregation (around 1000 members), it doesnt come close to Salem (which has about 10,000). - 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. I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. I dont need to be Einstein to understand that with all these jobs he is not truly doing any of them full time. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. What happend to your, well Jesus called the Pharisees wolves and a whole lot other mean words' defense (like when Trump called people sons of b*tches and a**holes)? I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. To learn more about how you can begin or deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ, visit us at ProgressiveChicago.org . Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. 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. 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. Charlie Dates is pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. 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 . In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. He announced Sunday hell preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Meeks called Dates the greatest preacher in our nation. Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. I dont come out of thin air to either church; you can trace my lineage. Progressive got insulated at one point. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Marin 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. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. 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. 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. Nationally known pastor Rev. (Perhaps due to my rarely being on social media for my own sanity). and pro football. No one knows. 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. And I dont even go to Progressive, which is less than 15 minutes from my home (closer than my current church home). Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Dates graduated from Salem Baptists Christian school, which has since closed. None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. 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. That is absolutely a legitimate human need but I just dont see it as within the job description of a servant-leader of men in the Epistles. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? It's time for us to bring in new families. 53 min; FEB 8, 2023 "Can't Turn . 11,909 were here. 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. The resolution clarified the theory could be employed, but only subordinate to Scripture.. 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.". 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. We need new ideas. September 3, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. EDT. 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. 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. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. 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. Theres just no way you can pastor a church that big being involved in all of the details, right? Some worry that a systemic view of racism, where a person is considered privileged or disadvantaged in society because of their race, conflicts with Christian beliefs about forgiveness or people holding equal value before God. At the emergence of the pandemic, the SBC donated to our emergency effort to provide online food delivery services for Chicagoans with SNAP benefits. 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. As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. . I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. Rev. All the old leaders stay in place and dont open up and make room for new leadership. I cant speak for them. 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. 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.. "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. Book your appointment here. Great! The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. James Meeks, founder and longtime senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church on the citys far South Side. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. How has he influenced you? I believe now that the time has come for me to yield to a younger person.. 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. Would a right-wing famous pastor like Voddie Baucham or Rob Jeffress be able to get away with using racial slurs??? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. But you seem determined to dismiss or belittle it in some sort of attempt to insult the Dates and me. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. 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.. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. 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. 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. 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. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. 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 . I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation. 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. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". 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. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. . 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I think the distinction is that I can serve Salem well by loving her through the preaching ministry and pastoral care, and she will follow. His wife Kirstie also followed up to pray with me and further encourage me. . No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. 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. 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. 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. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Please click here to learn how. That was the message Sunday from the Rev. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. 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. 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. 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. We need new ideas. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. 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 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. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. 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. Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I will admit to knowing very little about Charlie Dates, but what Gus Chiggins posted is extremely concerning. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? There is a HUGE problem with adoring a pastorany pastor, even a truly great one. We want to celebrate YOU. To invite Dr. They are selectively conservative. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Its the same approach that created President Donald Trump, that makes sure that no Republican leader will challenge him publicly. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate Professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Our PBC Teens are highly engaged in biblical teaching and discussion on how to navigate a Christian life amongst their peers. It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. 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. Its time for a young generation to come forward with new challenges facing us.. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? Another thing is I dont think this dual assignment is in perpetuity. 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. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. 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.. 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. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. 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. 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. Salem has not lost its relevance, Salem has not lost its edge, while maintaining a very high view of Scripture and its very Christo-centric approach to ministry. Religion News Service reported that Fred Luter, the only black SBC president, signed on in agreement. But the bones are good. 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. Show Progressive Baptist Church Podcast, Ep Great Expectations | Joshua 14:6-15 | Pastor Bryan Carter - Jul 26, 2022 Meeks and his wife say they don't want to stand in the next generation's way. They would not. Charlie has also led Progressive in being a very put faith into action church here in the Chicago Black community. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read.. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. 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. "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." Dates preaches at the 2019 African American Preaching Conference. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members.