These churches are a gift. Two things. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? Gleannings aggregates what others are reporting. I recognize this moment is big, and its watershed, but it is not about me. Meeks, who plans to stay involved with Hope of House, Salems philanthropic organization, is one of the latest longtime U.S. church leaders to step down. Cancel culture is wrong but shouldnt we have heard something about it at least? We want to see our church grow. I was shocked, but not surprised, when Mohler endorsed President Trump and watched the two men on Reformation Day celebrate each other on Twitter. The average member was around before Charlie (hes been there ~10 years) and knows hes not the only one who can lead them. 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 sense God performing a work of His Spirit that connects Salem to churches that need revitalization. But there are others who sit close to power within the SBC and who are silent against the racism that plagues their own congregations. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. As for me, I will always be grateful. (Perhaps due to my rarely being on social media for my own sanity). I completely understand your concern, Tricia. He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. I respect the importance of Christian denominations, the accountability and resources they provide for the larger body. Let us know how we can pray for you and your family. He and his wife, Kirstie, have two children. 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. I think thats a blessing, especially when I see a lot of superficial relationships between pastors and their flock. September 3, 2021 at 1:54 p.m. EDT. These have been disciple-making churches with an emphasis on Christian education. 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. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. @progressivechicago | @charliedates |. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Charlie has 1 job listed on their profile. Neither is it a premeditated desire of mine. Charlie earned an M.Div. Charlie Dates named successor to James Meeks at 10K-member Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. But the church left in 2020 after SBC leaders rejected critical race theory en masse. 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 hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. Its evangelism, its benevolence, its disciple-making have all been very Christo-centric and rooted in the Scriptures. In 1998, Meeks led a push to close 26 liquor stores in a 19-block radius near Salem. 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). I left that conference feeling hopeful. 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. 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. I believe now that the time has come for me to yield to a younger person.. "We can multiply that in evangelism, in discipleship, in educating our kids in reducing violence, shutting down liquor stores and opening up new opportunities to help rescue families and that's the church being the church.". 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. 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 . 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. Hi. . But we can actually press into the current culture and lead our young people and train them to lead a revolution for the kingdom and the glory of God. I dont come out of thin air to either church; you can trace my lineage. I want to be clear though, Im not saying Im the only Timothy he has, in the same way that Paul had others. Dates, 41, is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Churcha position hell keep, despite assuming the pastorate at Salem. I adore Charlie Dates BECAUSE of how he and his wife PERSONALLY ministered to me when I needed it. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. To invite Dr. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. Brian Both Meeks and Dates also have a connection to the Moody Bible Institute. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. In 2011, at age 30, he became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 99-year history. 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. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service. 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?" Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. Butand this is no secretfor years it stayed in the vein of its history. Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I didnt say Pastor Dates was the ONLY person who could minister to me; I dont have anyone in my life like htat. If you have legal questions, attorneys will be available to help you at the legal clinic. 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. 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 am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. fellowship and personal friendship, could have been met by a holy man of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or any other world religionor by a secular counselor or self-help advocate. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. 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. I need to say that this is not an ambition of mine. It's time for us to bring in new families. Dr. Charlie Dates became the youngest senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago in 2011 at age 30. Dates, 41, is a graduate of Salem's now-closed Salem Christian Academy. Could you describe your relationship with Meeks? None of that is contingent upon Biblical Christianity (indeed, you say its not because of a sermon or book, meaning theology I assume). It does not store any personal data. 3658 SOUTH WENTWORTH AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60609, 773-268-6048 | INFO@PROGRESSIVECHICAGO.ORG. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. 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. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. 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. It is going to take an academic mind and a saved heart.". "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago by Pastor Charlie Dates. . 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. I cant speak for them. But it would be foolish to assume its humanly possible to do this in and of myself. Dr. Charlie Dates is widely invited to preach at churches, conferences and universities throughout the United States. Sign up for our newsletter: Progressives buildings were built without a dime of debt at a time where Black people could not get a loan from a bank. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. 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. 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. Rev. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. Rev. Legal Clinic The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. 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. 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. To invite Dr. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. 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.". We want to celebrate YOU. Dates response to the controversy was that its not racist because its between black people. 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.