Several guiding principles in the forming of Tulsa Bible Church in 1955 were followed by the founding believers.

There was a need for an evangelical center for the deeper study of the Word. Realizing that many churches preached the Gospel but few did much for the maturing of the believers, it was our desire that God would permit us to become a Bible teaching center where God's choice man could be brought in to minister the Word. Therefore, our church is appropriately named because we focus on God's Word. Whether in our worship services where the normal practice is to teach through the Bible verse by verse, in Flocks/Sunday School, Men's and Women's Ministries, or Youth Groups, the teaching of the Word is our foremost objective.

It has always been our goal to be zealous for missions at home and abroad. We do this not only with finances but with people called from our midst to share their faith in their workplaces or on foreign soil. Normally we channel funds through various independent mission boards such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Navigators, Child Evangelism Fellowship, New Tribes Mission, New Life Ranch, TEAM, and many others.

Tulsa Bible Church is independent. We are not organizationally related to any denomination, council, or group of churches. At times, we fellowship with churches and Christian organizations of like beliefs and periodically cooperate with them in meetings and conferences. From the beginning, we determined to be sensitive to several pitfalls in governing our church. The Pastor was not to have dictatorial powers and the membership was not to be circumvented. For many Christians, church government is a non-issue. But the fact is that church government is very important and needs to be scripturally based. We believe in Biblical "Elder rule" leadership where Spirit-filled, 1Timothy 3 men are called to humbly oversee and shepherd the flock of God with prayer, modeling, and teaching the Scriptures. Deacons are selected to serve under the ruling Elders. Our purpose is to have as simple an organizational structure as possible to accomplish our goal of a balanced ministry of teaching, disciple making, evangelizing, and fellowship. In other words, we want to win men, build men, and send men. (Colossians 1:28)

We purpose to follow scripture which states that we should give as God has prospered us, not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. (I Corinthians 16:2, II Corinthians 9:7). We refrain from pledges or pressure and simply make needs known to the TBC body. We then trust that the Lord works in hearts and meets those expressed needs. We are a debt free church.

Membership is open to all individuals who have received the Lord Jesus Christ and who agree with the purposes and beliefs of our church. Individuals desiring membership must attend a short series of new-member classes which are designed to orient newcomers to the basic philosophies and distinctives of Tulsa Bible Church.