I imagine they provide cover for the SBC leadership to further alienate Black and brown Christians who do not ascribe to their heritage of dangerous conservatism. 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 . Are there things at Progressive you will have to step away from? When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. That was the last straw for Dates, he wrote in a column for Religion News Service. 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. And, yes, nothing good ever comes out of megachurches and rock-star pastors. 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. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. No One Knows. Progressives buildings were built without a dime of debt at a time where Black people could not get a loan from a bank. Around the country, people run into me and tell me, Oh I got baptized at that church, or Oh, I remember Sunday school at that church. Its legend and its lore is huge. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Ill become senior pastor of both the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and remain that at Progressive.. We want to celebrate YOU. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. - 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. He announced Sunday he'll preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. Pastor Dates challenged me in how I was handling my grief, noted my verbal and body language pointed to some unrighteous anger and unforgiveness that I needed to confront in order to move forward in a Godly manner, gave me scriptures to pray and meditate on, and concluded by praying with me and having his wife Kirstie follow up with me. Both of them have produced some stalwart Christian leaders and teachers. Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. 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. 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. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. We need a new vision. Brian I believe now that the time has come for me to yield to a younger person.. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. 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? He is a contributing author to Letters To A Birmingham Jail and Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition, and is currently working on his first single-authored book on Christianity and Social Justice. No. 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. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Let us know how we can pray for you and your family. Its time for Salem to move forward, he told his congregants. 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Its one thing to adore someone you dont have any personal relationship with. Progressive Baptist Church (map) Google Calendar ICS Join us in the sanctuary from 4pmCT -6pmCT as we meet and greet political candidates running to be the mayor of our great city this upcoming Spring. Progressive got insulated at one point. It's time for us to bring in new families. At the emergence of the pandemic, the SBC donated to our emergency effort to provide online food delivery services for Chicagoans with SNAP benefits. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. Hi. 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. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). 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. How has he influenced you? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. But the bones are good. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. They are good men who are sending a big message to the SBC, said Marshal Ausberry. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. Who will pay for the SBCs abuse reforms over the long term? I dont know if Id recommend this to anybody. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. But it would be foolish to assume its humanly possible to do this in and of myself. . Comment below and let us know where you're watching fr. 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. I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. Again, amen to that. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Thanks for the extra info here. To donate, click here. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? My relationship with him is dynamic. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. 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. 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. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. It's time for Salem to have younger leadership. I will admit to knowing very little about Charlie Dates, but what Gus Chiggins posted is extremely concerning. 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As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. If, however, I fail to get the churches to see that our history serves our present and inspires our future, then Im in trouble. 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.. In his June 19 sermon, he told congregants hes retiring as of January 15, 2023, and the Rev. 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. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. Im not saying that Im perfect, forever, for both churches. This workshop will cover everything from home buying basics to the most important step, funding and loan process. 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. Rev. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. and pro football. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What other things do you want to highlight to your current and future congregations and the readers of CT? Brian In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. He shared a vision of revival. I just checked and you can still see the tweet for yourself, he refused to delete it. Return to homepage. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. 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. 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. . Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. 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. Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. But as 2020 went on, I grew increasingly uneasy. Photo courtesy of Charlie Dates. Yeah thats in bad form. 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? With no repentance of any kind and such bald-faced pride in his sin, it bears questioning whether Dates ever had a regenerative, salvific transformation in his heart to begin with. Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. Another thing is I dont think this dual assignment is in perpetuity. 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. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. 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. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. That history is enormous. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. When did the theological architects of American slavery develop the moral character to tell the church how it should discuss and discern racism? 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. Sign up for our newsletter: But you seem determined to dismiss or belittle it in some sort of attempt to insult the Dates and me. Every church that lives in the past is already anchoring itself in the graveyard of history. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". The mega church concept is already troublesome. 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. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. 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. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? Its more than just Progressive and Salem. 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. 99% of these megachurch icons and celebrities were nowhere near as righteous as Smith to start with, and only continue to deteriorate from that starting point, with time and fame. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? 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. To a visitor entering the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, on a recent Sunday, the assembly might have sounded like, The Rev. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. That is a concerning statement. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. While West says he cannot offer a full affirmation of the theory, he does not see it as incompatible with the gospel. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. (I cant imagine having NEVER met your pastor one-on-one). What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. Two things. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. I just only pray he does not become spread too thin by leading two large churches. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. The two pastors brought up recognizing the reality of systemic racism alongside the truth and authority of Scripture. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. . In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. All rights reserved. He announced in June that he will give his last sermon on January 8, 2023. Vance Pitman resigned in December from Hope Church in Las Vegas to lead the SBCs national church-planting organization. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. We haveI thinka very Paul and Timothy kind of relationship. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. In 2011, he became the youngest senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. 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. Rev. To be clear, the SBC has some longstanding, credible Black pastors in its tribe, and I dont mean the kind who are tokens or assimilators. Im here to speak the truth in love to you to keep you from going down a path that may seem comforting to you now, but it will ensnare you.. They are ready to see their young adopt the very vestiges of hate that enslaved us in the name of Gods authoritative word. All the old leaders stay in place and dont open up and make room for new leadership. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago Pastor: Dr. Charlie E. Dates Website: www.progressivechicago.org Giving/Donations: https://progressivechicago.org/give IG: 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. 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. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. On one hand, Progressive is what I would call progressively traditional, and Salem is traditionally progressive. Legal Clinic The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. Pastor Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of The Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. 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. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . Marin I had the privilege of not only hearing him preach as a guest speaker at my church, but also meeting him after a singles event hosted by Progressive.
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