This may be an odd question, but I am looking for a church in the Tulsa area that is welcoming to people with differing viewpoints. I am a Democrat and after the last election I get the feeling that a person with my viewpoints wouldn't be welcome at many of the chuches in the area. I grew up in Colorado and there churches wern't so political (with the exception of Focus on the Family), and there were both Democrats and Republicans in the church I grew up in. Here I don't get that feeling. I only want serious replies, no flaming or bs answers. Thanks in advance.
Boston Ave Methodist.
Many churches in the Tulsa area are filled with republicans, but any good church would welcome any democrat that shared their same faith in God. Faith triumphs secular issues like politics. It is an unwavering belief that should never be measured by something as silly as partisan politics.
I go to a liberal church where I thought most of the people in the congregation were also democrats. The All Souls Unitarian church has interecting community forums each Sunday to coincide with the early service and many of them discuss elections and political topics. I have always been surprised at the number of conservatives and republican church members who attend these forums.
I speak at many churches on environmentalism, in fact am leaving home to go to an Espiscopal church im just a minute. I grumble about missing the services at my home church, but am always rewarded by seeing how other faiths embrace my passion for caring about God's earth.
Find a church that speaks to and listens to what you believe. The politics will be accepted if it is the right place of worship for you.
All Souls Unitarian Church
www.allsoulschurch.org
For something more traditional than the Unitarians:
Fellowship Congregational Church
www.fellowshipucc.cc
I think the Unitarians lead in tolerance of political viewpoints. You didn't mention your specific faith so I would presume you're open yourself. First Lutheran at 13th & Peoria is pretty non-political. In fact Lutherans in general are pretty easy to get along with except for Missouri Synod who don't get along with anybody!
quote:
Originally posted by buck
This may be an odd question, but I am looking for a church in the Tulsa area that is welcoming to people with differing viewpoints. I am a Democrat and after the last election I get the feeling that a person with my viewpoints wouldn't be welcome at many of the chuches in the area. I grew up in Colorado and there churches wern't so political (with the exception of Focus on the Family), and there were both Democrats and Republicans in the church I grew up in. Here I don't get that feeling. I only want serious replies, no flaming or bs answers. Thanks in advance.
I do not know why you would think you would get flamed. I mean, I think indicting an entire city as being inflexible and shallow is a good thing.
Thanks for the responses, the Unitarian and United Church of Christ are two that I have been studying, so that would be All Souls and Fellowship. I have also watched the Boston Avenue Sermons on TV and have looked at them as well (I grew up Methodist) Haven't considered a Lutheran service, I may have to look into that as well.
While I have never been, I know several people who attend Asbury United Methodist. It's the gigantic church at 68th and Mingo.
Last I heard, democrat was actually the most popular political party in Oklahoma, but on to the point...
You can find a church like you are talking about in every denomination. Just avoid any church with over 1,000 in a service and those older churches with only 20 geriatrics in service and you'll probably be ok. Since you say you grew up methodist I would try Boston Avenue first, Asbury is probably the second most progressive. They are both very large so if that's not your speed (never was mine) then just poke around a neighborhood methodist church.
I've heard the following are political and you should avoid:
Rhema
Rejoice
Victory Christian
and as a rule avoid any place that:
Operates out of a semi and holds services at schools. (Somebody didn't get the message about separation of church and state.)
Operates out of abandoned shopping centers or corrugated metal buildings.
Tulsa and Oklahoma are the buckle in the Bible Belt. There are alot of churchs. I'm a Lutheren, however I have not been to church in a while. Anyhoo, It may take some looking into to find a good church fit. Maybe check around on the web or ask neighbors.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
and as a rule avoid any place that:
Operates out of a semi and holds services at schools. (Somebody didn't get the message about separation of church and state.)
Operates out of abandoned shopping centers or corrugated metal buildings.
There's a semi-truck church that is run at the Sapp Brothers truck stop in Omaha at Interstate 80 & Highway 50. I believe it's exit 440.. The church is there all the time on wheels, not all semi-truck churchs are bad things. Speaking of the church, This November is the 30th year of the JonesTown cult church that commited suicide in 1978- remember that one? I think something like 900 church members commited suicide by drinking a poison. Those that did not drink it were shot by guards.The church was in South America.
well, there is still plenty of kool-aid drinking going on around here, they just leave out the good stuff.
Depends on what denomination you're looking for, but I go to Church of the Resurrection. It's not a holy roller church, it's Catholic.
Very community oriented, and welcoming. Believe me, I'm as Democratic and liberal as they come, and my priest has never hinted that I should leave.