He worked with business leaders to assist his members in finding jobs. He also encouraged members to start their own businesses and purchase homes. The church formed the East Calvary Building and Loan Association to offer mortgages. Charles also received donations from businessmen of food for the congregation's ministry of feeding the needy.
Charles objected to social events that he considered degrading, including the 1912 Cake Walk and Ball, and The Soap Box Minstrels show at the Academy of Music on Broad and Locust Streets. In 1915 he and other leaders, led protesters in a march to the Forrest Theater to protest the showing of the film "Birth of a Nation." They were attacked by whites with clubs, sticks, and bottles. He had many injuries yet they were treated at home.
Charles published his songs beginning in 1901, and published several hymn collections. Those include Soul Echoes in 1905 and a series beginning with New Songs Of Paradise! in 1916. A posthumous New Songs of Paradise, No. 6 in 1941 was the first collection to bring together all. 46 of Tindley's published hymns, though in some cases stanzas that had previously been published were left