Show Progressive Baptist Church Podcast, Ep Great Expectations | Joshua 14:6-15 | Pastor Bryan Carter - Jul 26, 2022 Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. But the bones are good. 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. Great! 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. Photo courtesy of Charlie Dates. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. The SBC experienced a 43 percent jump in majority-black churches between 1998 and 2002, compared to 11 percent over the most recent four years. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. 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. 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. 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. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Galatians 5: 13-14 | Pastor David Swanson, Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. 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. 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. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. 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. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church - Chicago . He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas. I didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). James Meeks next year as senior pastor of Salem Baptist Churchone of Chicagos biggest megachurches. We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. . 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 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. In his June 19 sermon, he told congregants hes retiring as of January 15, 2023, and the Rev. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. And while we are kind of watching this great falling away, we dont have to merely watch it. This was why I felt it safe to forge an alliance. 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. Sign up now ! 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. 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. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . 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. 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. I returned to our Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago with a bit of sophomoric optimism. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. Again, amen to that. Thats their choice. Come stop by the north lobby to have your picture and/or video taken on March 19th and the 26th directly following service, As our church family continues to grow, we want to welcome our new members home. I 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. Some in our ranks inappropriately use the label of CRT! to avoid legitimate questions or as a cudgel to dismiss any discussion of discrimination. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. We need new opportunities," Meeks told his cheering congregation. None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. 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. Charlie Dates has been working as a Youngest Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church for 12 years. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I like my pastor; I dont love him. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Let us know how we can pray for you and your family. 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. 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. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But as 2020 went on, I grew increasingly uneasy. Sign up for our newsletter: Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. And if you have a testimony of the amazing things God is doing in your life through our ministry, please email it to info@progressivechicago.org. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. Its evangelism, its benevolence, its disciple-making have all been very Christo-centric and rooted in the Scriptures. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 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. How has he influenced you? 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To invite Dr. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Perhaps you are taking on a worldly definition of love? Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. That was the old Southern Baptists, I promised them and others in our church. If you sense the malaise around Christian denominations, then you already yearn for a new vision and a new standard. 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This shaped his approach to preaching and his thoughts about the transformative role the Black church plays in bringing about the flourishing of a people.Dr. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. 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. The mega church concept is already troublesome. So for me, what attracted me was God. 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. Our PBC Teens are highly engaged in biblical teaching and discussion on how to navigate a Christian life amongst their peers. 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. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. We are hosting our New Member Orientation known as 'Connection Institute.' Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. With teary eyes, I just told them I hope that they accept my recommendation when that time comes. Who will pay for the SBCs abuse reforms over the long term? Charlie Dates Has Led Progressive Baptist To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. 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. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. I dont know why; perhaps thats an attitude YOU need to pray about. On Dec. 1, all six of the SBC seminary presidents without one Black president or counter opinion among them told the world that a high view of Scripture necessarily required a corresponding and total rejection of critical race theory and intersectionality. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Ive learned there is an unwritten rule in the SBC: Dont criticize an entity head. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. 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. Progressive got insulated at one point. 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. CT interviewed him about the history of the two congregations and his call to lead Salem Baptist. His wife Kirstie also followed up to pray with me and further encourage me. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. We need a new vision. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. It does not store any personal data. 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. Meeks, 65, founded Salem in 1985 and grew it from 200 to 10,000 members. But Pastor Dates said, I know you probably dont like me right now, I can tell from how youre reacting to what Im saying; but Im not here to get you to like me. Ill become senior pastor of both the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and remain that at Progressive.. All the old leaders stay in place and dont open up and make room for new leadership. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . Its a sensitive time for both congregations, and I want to convey as they read this my love for both of them. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. 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. I had to tell my church I was wrong. So he is going to pastor two large churches in addition to teaching at several colleges. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. The only outcome can be from their life experience, which really ignores the broader family of Southern Baptists.. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. As CT reported in August, there werent signs of a trend of majority-black churches leaving in the most recent denomination report from 2018, though the rates of growth year-over-year had slowed after shooting up in the early 2000s. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. How has God moved and worked in ones life? 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 other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? He served three terms as an Illinois state senator, was chairman of the state board of education, and ran in Chicagos 2011 mayoral race. He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. Its no longer that waywe are very much in the community nowbut thats the way it was. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. Return to homepage. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. He announced Sunday he'll preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. 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? The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. You talked a bit about both churches significance to Chicago. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? 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. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? So we decided to cooperate and join our church to the SBC in what is known as a dual affiliation. 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 had to fight all of my flesh not to just walk away. 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. Pastor Charlie Dates of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago lamented, "This is a very tiring conversation, not simply because of the events of recent weeks, but because this has been a 401-year . Meeks and his wife say they don't want to stand in the next generation's way. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? Brian He announced in June that he will give his last sermon on January 8, 2023. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. Its the same approach that created President Donald Trump, that makes sure that no Republican leader will challenge him publicly. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. 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? Charlie has 1 job listed on their profile. 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 January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. That history is enormous. Our city and our nation need the black church to be her best and brightest self and now is the time for churches to be strong," he said. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. Just, wow. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. We want to celebrate YOU. I dont know if Id recommend this to anybody. Book your appointment here. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. I ADORE Charlie Dates. 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. The beauty of this narrative is that the Lord, in his kindness and his grace, has taken pastors and churches to develop me. 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?" It is good that you were ministered to personally by your pastor. Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. "It's time for Salem to move forward. And I recognize that. Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. Learn more. He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. 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. These churches are a gift. September 3, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. EDT. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. 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. Shouldnt a competent, strong, wise pastor stir and challenge his flock, make their complacency seem uncomfortable? How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Charlie E. Dates, is a. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. 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.. Susan Robinson is a 100-year-old Black woman and lifelong member of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, where I am senior .