Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Dr. Charlie E. Dates currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois as well as Affiliate Professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and NFL Chaplain for the Chicago Bears. 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. Both have spoken at Moodys annual Founders Week conferences. To invite Dr. "Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church - Chicago . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In 2011, Reverend Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor to serve the historic Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, which saw exponential growth under his leadership. As I prayed about it, I got no inkling that it was time, just yet, to walk away from Progressive. He served three terms as an Illinois state senator, was chairman of the state board of education, and ran in Chicagos 2011 mayoral race. 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. 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. 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. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. Rev. He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. Its time for Salem to have younger leadership . The mega church concept is already troublesome. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. 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. 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. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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 have to lead through my leaders. But the bones are good. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. 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.. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Weve already started the conversation that, at some point, the goal is to raise up leaders to do more work. The young pastor said he had to convince his members that joining the denomination for the sake of mission partnerships would be a good move. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. 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. Meeks and his wife, Jamell, founded the church in 1985. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. 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. As for me and the Progressive Baptist Church, I keep hearing the words of Harriet Tubman: We out.. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. He graduated with a PhD in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Image courtesy of Baptist Press. Meeks has led the African American congregation, now at nearly 10,000 members, since its founding in 1985. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. I completely understand your concern, Tricia. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Meeks, who is now 65 and served three terms as a state senator, told his congregation that he will preach his final sermon on Jan. 8, 2023, just five days before the church's 38th anniversary. Progressive was once, decades ago, the kind of leading force of churches on the South Side. Were living in a time where so many young people are walking away from the church and where church attendance numbers are in the dumps. 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. 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. Its not making me feel good; warm and fuzzy. I dont need to be Einstein to understand that with all these jobs he is not truly doing any of them full time. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. . 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. Sad, but not at all surprising. Dr. Charlie Dates . Progressive Baptist Church. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. What lessons or advice has he already passed along about leading Salem Baptist? I like my pastor; I dont love him. The leaders of two majority-black megachurches in major cities announced this week that they will no longer affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? It's time for us to bring in young people. 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. How will your role there look different? I didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. Charlie has also led Progressive in being a very put faith into action church here in the Chicago Black community. And I recognize that. I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? It does not store any personal data. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. Many cannot even define what CRT is, he tweeted. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago and serves on the board of TCP. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. When I came to Progressive, it took me a while to actually get my feet under me because of some of the history and nature of the church, and it required a lot of patience and long-suffering initially. They are selectively conservative. Religion News Service reported that Fred Luter, the only black SBC president, signed on in agreement. In a video message to Progressive, Dates said the two churches will stay distinct, though hell pastor them both. Our seminaries, many of them are in decline. 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. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. 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. 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. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 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. 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. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. I dont come out of thin air to either church; you can trace my lineage. Rev. Charlie Dates serves as the senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and teaches at Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct professor. 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. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? The mega church concept is already troublesome. Its the same approach that created President Donald Trump, that makes sure that no Republican leader will challenge him publicly. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. I do pray Pastor Dates is not spread too thin and that he has the support needed to lead such a large flock effectively. Progressive Service Time 9:30am 3658 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago Coming Up. 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. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. ), Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. Are there things at Progressive you will have to step away from? None of our denominations, Black or white, are as relevant and biblically prophetic as our present age requires. If Charlie Dates indeed used a racial slur (just last year), that does call into fitness his ability to do any of the above. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We want to walk with you and your family in every step of the way. His wife Kirstie also followed up to pray with me and further encourage me. No. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30 and in January 2023, he became the senior pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. 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. Logos of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminaries. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. 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. You know, at one point, Progressive had the strongest and largest Christian discipleship ministry in the city. To invite Dr. "We want to see our church be vibrant. Dr. Pastoral leadership is a storied pillar in both of these churches.
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