"Charlie is called, and I believe all ministry starts with a calling," Meeks said. 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?" Do you have a birthday or anniversary next month? Its fair to say that I understand the dynamics of congregational leadership and development in both churches. Progressive was around WAY before Charlie Dates; it was not founded or based on his teachings alone. Calling him "the greatest young preacher in our nation today," Rev. He teaches preaching at Wheaton College and serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary and as Affiliate . That history is enormous. What I will say is that Progressive and Salem demonstrate the spectrum of Black churches in Chicago. 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. To choose a successor Meeks says he and his wife, First Lady Jamell Meeks, prayed and fasted. 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. This was why I felt it safe to forge an alliance. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. Something is lost when a pastor becomes distanced from 99% of his church. There is no such thing as the Old Southern Baptists.. No matter what age, PBC Kids offers fun, age-appropriate programming that help your children connect with God. What challenges do you anticipate with the dynamic of pastoring two congregations? Services Progressive Baptist Church SUNDAYS AT PROGRESSIVE We'd love for you to join us at our Sunday Services! . Nationally known pastor Rev. 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. I go where God leads me not Charlie Dates. The recent departures caught the attention of Southern Baptist leaders who were disappointed to see them go, particularly fellow African Americans. . 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. The head of the SBCs National African American Fellowship, which had raised concerns about the critical race theory statement a week ago, said he was saddened by the announcements. When I came back home to Southwestern, I even encouraged other ministers to do the same. And thats part of the beauty I think of this story. Rev. To start, Dates will keep his current post as senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church, a 15-minute drive from the House of Hope arena where Salem Baptist meets. Charlie Dates preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2017. What specifically attracted you about this role at Salem Baptist? SERVICE TIME 9:30 AM CST Watch Live "It's Alright to Cry"| Pastor Charlie Dates | Progressive Chicago Watch on Latest Sermon 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. 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. 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. Its time for Salem to move forward, he told his congregants. Just goes to show that even in this day and age, after all thats happened, megachurches still value butts in the seats and the almighty dollar over holding celebrity pastors accountable for their actions and character. He announced in June that he will give his last sermon on January 8, 2023. Not because of a sermon I heard from a distance or book that I read. Perspective by Charlie Dates. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Charlie Dates serves as the senior pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and teaches at Moody Bible Institute as an adjunct professor. When we make one man or woman our everything, bad things are bound to happen. Theres a danger when the person idolized has a position of power and authority, particularly in a religious sense. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Dateswho spoke at several national SBC events before and after deciding to affiliate with the denominationwrote that the statement was a final straw.. Im not sure I understand your point. Charlie Dates is the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. And I dont even go to Progressive, which is less than 15 minutes from my home (closer than my current church home). Dates to speak at your next event, please complete the Speaker Request form. Dates added that the transition will start in January 2023. But he added God is extending our platform and our reach to the point where Ill be able to provide pastoral leadership for both churches. And Saddleback Church founder Rick Warren is retiring this September. What kind of repentance did he show and how has he made amends? 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. 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. The two churches will remain separate, and he plans on preaching two sermons each Sunday. 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. Gleannings aggregates what others are reporting. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. But there is nothing wrong with loving those who I do have personal relationships with, and have really left an impact on my faith, family, and heart.. If thats idolatry to youwe can disagree. Meeks serves on the Moody Bible Institute Trustee Board, and Dates has worked as an adjunct professor there. My approach at Salem will be similar once I have learned again the way of the land. That Salem is a loving church ready to work. The pastor of Progressive at the time, his name was Reverend T. Brown, he was such a dynamic leader in the city that he was able to tell [former Chicago mayor] Richard J. Daley, No. And live to tell about it. 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. Dates's 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. 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.. Dates, 41, graduated from Salems now-shuttered Christian Academy. The hard reality of the seminary presidents statement is that Black people will never gain full equality in the Southern Baptist Convention. Now we have 2 churches thinking only one particular man can lead them. 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. Who thinks a half a pastor can shepherd a full church adequately?. He graduated with a PhD in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Progressive has asked me, when the time comes, to help them to find their next pastor. I am more of a vision-casting, preaching, pastoral care pastor. 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.. I just checked and you can still see the tweet for yourself, he refused to delete it. Rev. 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. 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. I just hate to see us automatically dismiss a pastor, church or ministry due to size. I would caution ANYONE who makes ANYONE their everytying including a spouse or child. 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. Photo courtesy of Progressive Baptist Church. "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." Dr. Charlie Dates will take his place. On one hand, Progressive is what I would call progressively traditional, and Salem is traditionally progressive. Charlie Dates is the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. 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. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. 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. Ive seen healthy and unhealthy churches of all sizes. No one knows. 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. Photo courtesy of Charlie Dates. I cant speak for them. 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. As I prayed through it, Reverend Meeks and I wrestled with it, and he graciously affirmed my sense of discernment. "The Kingdom work is never to stop with one generation. Atlanta pastor John Onwuchekwa left the SBC over the summer due to concerns over its approach to racial issues. 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. 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. The young people I met that week shocked me with the warmth and enthusiasm with which they embraced the subject matter. It's to multiply in every generation and right now the church in Chicago needs fresh dynamic trained Gospel fire leaders. Learn more. Rev. "Not only is he called, but he is qualified or educated. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. To correct us from repeating errors and to inspire and to encourage us to pursue Gods great promise. This isnt something that I read or something that I watched; this is a ministry that I participated in and had a front row seat to as a kid, said Dates, who grew up at Salem and attended its former school, Salem Christian Academy. Progressive Baptist Church is part of the Organizations industry, and located in Illinois, United States. Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. You see many people who are guilty of holding onto positions too long, he says. Join us before worship service on Sunday, March 19th directly following service. 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. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. So for me, what attracted me was God. In 2006, he began serving as the primary . Chicago Pastor James Meeks to Retire, Pass Baton to Rev. His decision came two days after West made a similar argument in a Baptist Standard op-ed. We need a new vision. 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. Im not in the weeds at Progressive. 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. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago | Chicago IL The first challenge is getting the churches to sense that where God gives a vision, theres always provision. Return to homepage. He also told him hes still willfully acting like hes a slave because he rejects CRT. They are to us what the Electoral College is to the United States: a body that no longer produces what it originally promised. Are there things at Progressive you will have to step away from? 1 is my itinerant ministry will take a reduction, and I will be present locally a lot more, which Im looking forward to. What I benefit from is far greater than just a tip from him here or there; its more of a model of a life lived. They are happy to have a Black chapel speaker, the occasional conservative Black professor whose classes are not taken seriously or a Black employee who never bucks against their notions of superiority. 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. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. I had to tell my church I was wrong. Charlie Dates, After TGC Excerpt Stirs Controversy, Some Retract Endorsements for Book About Gods Vision for Sex, Amy Grant Reveals Bike Accident Nearly Took Her LifeIt Was Good for Me, Woke Transagenda Franklin Graham Denounces Hersheys Ad Featuring Trans Woman, In Florida, Latino Evangelicals Mobilize Against DeSantis Crackdown on Immigrants, Fight Together Not Against Each Other SBC Abuse Reform Task Force Member Urges Unity, John MacArthur Touts the Benefits of Slavery in a 2012 Video That Has Resurfaced, God Is Great: NBA Finals MVP Steph Curry Gives Glory to God After Golden State Warriors Win Championship, Religious Liberty Group Defends CU Coach Deion Sanders Against Claims of Religious Coercion, TGC Under Fire for Article Comparing Christs Love to a Sexual Encounter, The Jezebel Spirit Literally Castrates Men Mark Driscoll Plugs His Most Controversial Sermon Series Ever, Meet the Organization Preserving and Promoting the Stories of Black Methodists, US Government Calls for the Release of Imprisoned Christian Leader in Myanmar. Thats the good ol boys club. COMMENTARY: Six white men shouldnt decide Southern Baptist position on race. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. So, I propose to you that we need a new organism, not led in full by white men; a Christian collective that makes room for the essentials of the faith and the diversity of the Church; a robust engine that finances the impoverished sides of the Church, speaks justice courageously to the government and cares gently for the oppressed, marginalized and women. The only outcome can be from their life experience, which really ignores the broader family of Southern Baptists.. I think history, much like the end of Romans, is meant to teach us what God can do. He was elected in March by an overwhelming majority, the largest vote received by any pastor in Progressive's rich history. The theory came up in a controversial resolution that passed at the SBCs 2019 annual meeting, when Greear was elected. Facebook/Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, Pastor Charlie Dates (R) and Rev. That philosophy has weakened whatever prophetic potential the SBC has. For questions or to reach his office, please email booking@progressivechicago.org. I want to say it is an honor to even be considered, let alone asked, to succeed the Reverend James T. Meeks. Meeks, a former state senator, founded Salem Baptist 38 years ago. He is a contributing author to the 2014 book Letters To A Birmingham Jail, and the 2019 book, Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in The African American Tradition. 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. Brian Charlie Dates and Ralph D. West spoke out in response to a controversial statement released by seminary presidents. Respect and admire if they are capable, yes. 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. Ill be here every Sunday and through the week as I normally am, Dates said. He also teaches at Wheaton College and has delivered chapel sermons at various institutions, including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We meet every second Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 9:00 am. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. Dr. James Meeks faltered for just a moment at the end. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". If I idolized him, dont you think Id have followed him to his church YEARS ago when I first me him? 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. 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. In just our brief 15 minute interaction, he really ministered to me as he correctly sensed I was going through a season of loss that was challenging my faith. 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. Progressive Baptist Church, a century-old historically Black congregation, was briefly part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). How do you use that significance, and history of these two churches in the city, to drive the future? Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive's rich 95-year history. 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. Their seminaries have hosted outstanding guest faculty and chapel speakers outside of their norm. I wonder how many of them provide full time paychecks. I like my pastor; I dont love him. Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church - Chicago . He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I left that conference feeling hopeful. And God has blessed us with our own son as the churchs next pastor. While continuing to lead Progressive Baptist, the 41-year-old pastor was named the successor to James Meeks at Salem Baptist Church, one of the citys biggest congregations. But there is nothing wrong with loving those who I do have personal relationships with, and have really left an impact on my faith, family, and heart. There is a HUGE problem with adoring a pastorany pastor, even a truly great one. It just isnt where God has me in this season of my life (yet). Charlie Dates is set to succeed Rev. Thats not always the case when you assume a pastorate. 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. To a visitor entering the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, on a recent Sunday, the assembly might have sounded like, The Rev. 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. James Meeks, founder and longtime senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church on the citys far South Side. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Conservatism is, and has always been, the god of the SBC. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. And Progressive only has one location. But I do sense and feel that a lot of the progress that Ive been able to make in the pastorate is connected in some way to his tutelage, his leadership, and his spiritual fathering, so to speak. 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. We need new ideas. They do not understand themselves to be beneficiaries of a system that marginalizes people of color.". 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. He hijacked the affirmation meeting of the Baptist Faith & Message, turning it into a conservative resurgence revival. Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago Pastor: Dr. Charlie E. Dates Website: www.progressivechicago.org Giving/Donations: https://progressivechicago.org/give IG: The Social Justice Ministry is here to help through our Gospel Justice Center Legal Clinic. He opposed the legalization of gay marriage,called for a boycott over funding disparities at Chicago Public Schools, and once served as spiritual adviser to disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly. These churches are a gift. While I do not know much about Charlie Dates, it has becoming increasingly true that the higher you rise the harder you fall.. Rev. The SBCs power structure wants to maintain white dominance. Its humorous, its rewarding, and its worth more than the price of gold or platinum. 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. Another thing is I dont think this dual assignment is in perpetuity. I understand both sides, but havent thought about it enough to have a strong opinion, probably because I dont use those terms. 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. (Dr. Charlie Edward Dates is the senior pastor at Chicagos Progressive Baptist Church. In all that, he can never be criticized within his ranks. Every church that lives in the past is already anchoring itself in the graveyard of history. Its no longer that waywe are very much in the community nowbut thats the way it was. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? He served three terms as an Illinois state senator, was chairman of the state board of education, and ran in Chicagos 2011 mayoral race. View Charlie Dates' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Dates explained he saw rejecting CRT as part of a continuing heritage of dangerous conservatism.. 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? Sad, but not at all surprising. When did those who have yet to hire multiple Black or brown faculty at their seminaries assume ethical authority on the subject of systemic injustice? 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. 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)? "We want to see our church be vibrant. . It seems to me that God has been up to this, directing this well before I could tell. Wow, I never knew this, did TRR ever do an expose of this incident? Amen to thateven if the pastor in question is the Godliest guy on the planet to start with, which is seldom if ever the case. As for me, I will always be grateful. It is the work of that church, but its also Reverend Meeks, the pastor of that church.
Cambodian Mushroom Strain Info, Aew Revolution 2022 Rumors, Where Do Mlb Teams Stay In Denver, Articles C
Cambodian Mushroom Strain Info, Aew Revolution 2022 Rumors, Where Do Mlb Teams Stay In Denver, Articles C