Hi. Charlie earned an M.Div. I like my pastor; I dont love him. I also understand how a personal relationship strengthens that love; that is the importance of us having relationships in the body of Christ. Rev. Every church that lives in the past is already anchoring itself in the graveyard of history. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. I had to fight all of my flesh not to just walk away. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the. 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. 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. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. You see many people who are guilty of holding onto positions too long, he says. Do you know what I mean by ministering to me? The congregation has grown into one of the largest black churches in the city. No One Knows. 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. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30. How are you hoping to continue to cultivate that with both congregations? 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 . Sign up now ! Pretty sure there were no consequences whatsoever for him over it. 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. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. Again, amen to that. What is liberalism to the conservative Southern Baptists? (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. 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. All rights reserved. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The statementposted on the anniversary of the 13th amendment abolishing slaverycalled for collective repentance and criticized those who would downplay SBCs racial history or label others as critical race theorists for acknowledging systemic injustices. 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. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. 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. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. I just only pray he does not become spread too thin by leading two large churches. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. Great! No one knows. 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. Chicago has rich Black churches throughout the South and West sides, in particular. 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RELATED: Southern Baptist seminary presidents nix critical race theory. 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. The statement on critical race theory and intersectionality has soiled that good faith.. The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. View Charlie Dates' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Marin And if you think it feels good, warm and fuzzy to be confronted about your sin when youre in the middle of grief, you are VERY mistaken. 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 would rather not compare them, only because I wouldnt want to say the wrong thing and have someone read it and judge my intent. . . 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. Perhaps I need to know whats defined as a megachurch? 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. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. 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. 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. Dates teaches at several universities and seminaries, including Wheaton College, and is popular on the speaking circuit. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. That somehow God grants the capacity and that God grants the resources and support. I do pray Pastor Dates is not spread too thin and that he has the support needed to lead such a large flock effectively. To learn more about how you can begin or deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ, visit us at ProgressiveChicago.org . 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. 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. What I do sense is that theres still work to be done and vision to accomplish at Progressive at the same time that I begin my assignment at Salem. We need new ideas. So it is Biblical for a leader to have a large flock. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. 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. He told his trustees to uphold the slaveholder for whom his college is named. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But the bones are good. 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. Meeks recalls meeting Dates when Dates was in the 5th grade. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. Im working to discern Gods direction as it relates to timing of when to conclude. Rev. Rev. To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. 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.. 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. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. Mohler, to take one example, endorsed a philandering, racist president, thereby betraying his Black and brown Christian family. Part of what Im learning and discerning about Gods direction for ones life is to pay close attention to the bend of ones spiritual biography. Yeah thats in bad form. 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. I left that conference feeling hopeful. 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. He's trained to fight the giants that we're dealing with today. Here it was, I thought, further proof that the old SBC was fading. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. No. He announced Sunday he'll preach his last sermon to the 10,000-member church on January 8, 2023. I dont idolize Pastor Dates, nor is he my everything. I am on assignment to lead the church forward in Chicago. The church actually changed the face of that community, he says. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. It took a while for it to reimagine and revitalize and become relevant again. Its time for a younger generation to assume leadership at one of Chicagos largest churches. "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! My acknowledgement of this is not a statement of submission, but an act of defiance. How do Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist compare, and what makes you a fit for both congregations at this moment? 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. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. . Some in our ranks inappropriately use the label of CRT! to avoid legitimate questions or as a cudgel to dismiss any discussion of discrimination. 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. The only outcome can be from their life experience, which really ignores the broader family of Southern Baptists.. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Perspective by Charlie Dates. In 2011, at age 30, he became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 99-year history. I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. 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. 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. 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. Rev. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. 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. and Ph.D. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity . "I sense God performing a work of His Spirit that connects Salem to churches that need revitalization. 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). After the neighborhood went dry, Walmart opened a store. 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. 2023 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. Are there things at Progressive you will have to step away from? Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church. 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. 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. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. We want to celebrate YOU. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. Its important to highlight that this is not conventional. 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)? 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 . 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. 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. Charlie is the senior pastor a Chicago's Progressive Baptist Church. I think part of this is connected to what attracted me to Salem Baptist. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . "We believe now that the time has come for us to step aside, for us to yield to new younger leadership," Meeks said. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. The leaders of two majority-black megachurches in major cities announced this week that they will no longer affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Neither am I saying that hes the only significant influence in my life. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Pastor Charlie Dates speaks at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. 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.
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