The TCF Story

Beginnings

Tulsa Christian Fellowship came into being in the fall of 1969, after Bill Sanders was fired as Pastor of a Baptist Church in Tulsa . He was fired because of his ministry among the hippies along Tulsa 's "Restless Ribbon." Problems developed when the hippies who were saved through Bill's ministry began attending the church where Bill was pastor. The more traditional church members were offended by the hippies' bizarre dress and their enthusiasm in the Sunday services. Many of the church members insisted that if the hippies really were saved, they would cut their hair and dress in more traditional attire. They also wanted them to behave like Baptists.

As a result of this conflict, a faction in the church began working to have Bill removed as pastor of the church. They struggled to find a valid basis for the removal. They found that basis in Bill's experience in the Holy Spirit. For a few years, Bill had prayed in tongues in his private prayer time. He never had advocated or taught this doctrine in the church. However, through some unknown means, the opposition learned about Bill's praying in tongues. Tongues was not Baptist doctrine. It was on this basis that Bill was removed as pastor of the church. Not knowing what to do next, Bill went to California to spend time with Ralph Wilkerson, hoping to find direction for his life.

Several members of the Baptist church who had been evangelizing with Bill on South Peoria felt that God wanted them to continue this work. Realizing that they could not continue to do this as a part of their church, they formed a new non-denominational congregation. Many names were suggested for the new church, all of them having "Baptist" somewhere in the name. Someone suggested that they temporarily call the church, "Tulsa Christian Fellowship," until a name could be chosen. That name stuck.

After several weeks, the group contacted Bill and asked him to come and be their Pastor. Since all of the group were Baptists, the new church was Baptist in everything except membership in the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Thus, as the Pastor, Bill called the shots. Under Bill's leadership, attendance at the TCF services swelled and successive larger meeting places had to be obtained.

Early Years

Bill needed help. Dr. Charles Farah Jr. ("Chuck") an Oral Roberts University theology professor and ordained Presbyterian minister, had called Bill and encouraged him when news of his firing hit the papers. (see a photo of Bill and Chuck at the bottom of this page) Chuck was involved in many lay move­ment activities in the city. He had been a leader in the Naviga­tors and had seen glimpses of New Testament Church life in that organization. In 1968, Chuck received a "revelation" that he was going to be a part of a New Testament church in Tulsa . This motivated him to begin reading Watchman Nee's writings concerning the Church. Coincidentally, during his final weeks as pastor of the Baptist church, Bill had preached a series of sermons from Acts, focusing on New Testament church life.

Early in the 1970's, itinerant teachers such as Bob Mumford and Charles Schmitt came to TCF and taught about the leader­ship style in the New Testament. They pointed out that the First Century churches were led by councils of elders, rather than a pastor. This, along with their personal studies, convinced Bill and Chuck of the principle of plural leadership. They selected elders. Some mistakes were made in the function and the choices, but this was a bold beginning. Noting the prominence of deacons in the New Testament, other men in the church were chosen as deacons.

Growth and Transitions

It was difficult for these founding pastors, as well as the congregation, to shift gears from a pastor-led church to an elder-led church. Even after the selection of elders, Bill still was the Pastor. This is understandable, given the origin and history of the church. Transition from a pastor-led to an elder-led church took about fifteen years.

Chuck's health forced him to resign his post at ORU in 1989. In order to be near his family, Chuck left Tulsa and moved to Dallas , where he became a part of a Vineyard congre­gation. Chuck returned to Tulsa in 1994. He attended TCF for most of his final years, though he was not in leadership due to his health. He went to be with the Lord in October, 2001.

Bill's Parkinson's disease, first diagnosed in 1981, forced him to participate less and less in leadership of the church. He frequently was out of the city for extended periods of time, seeking medical treatment. Bill withdrew from active leadership in 1991. At that time, he was declared, "elder emeritus," which TCF redefined to mean, "no responsibility, but free to minister to the degree that his physical and emotional condition permit.” In time, being at TCF and not being able to function in leadership proved so stressful for Bill, that he asked to be released to attend another church. In November 1996, in a Sunday morning service, the church prayerfully released Bill to leave TCF and to seek God's will for where he could participate without the stress of feeling a burden for the church.

For the first eleven years of the church's existence, TCF held Sunday services in rented school buildings. Orville Wright Junior High, on 45th Place , just west of Peoria , was the first school building rented. This was an ideal location, since it was adjacent to the “Restless Ribbon,” where TCF's ministry was focused. From Orville Wright, TCF moved to Edison High School , then to East Central High School . The school board became increasingly opposed to renting school buildings as meeting places for churches. When Orville Wright Junior High was closed, TCF moved back to that building, hoping to purchase it from the Tulsa Public Schools. When these efforts failed, TCF bought the former Big Red Furniture Warehouse, which had been remodeled as an antique shopping mall. Another church, Faith Christian Fellowship, had rented the building for a few months prior to TCF's purchasing it. So, in November 1980, for the first time in its history TCF owned a church building. At the time of the building purchase, most of TCF's members lived in South Tulsa , Broken Arrow , or were a part of ORU. Many of these left TCF within a year or two of the building purchase. They wanted to be a part of churches in their own geographical vicinity.

Ministries and Leadership

One of the earliest ministries at TCF was the Jesus Inn drug-rehabilitation ministry. This ministry grew out of the evangelistic ministry on South Peoria . So many of the saved hippies were bedding down in Bill's house that an alternative had to be found. A large old house on South Xanthus was obtained for this purpose. Gordon Wright, former drug distributor and ex-Hindu, was put in charge of the project. Under Gordon's leadership, Jesus Inn developed into a major ministry. (see photo of Gordon below) Many of those whose lives were stabilized through the ministry of the Inn remained as a part of the Jesus Inn Community and are a part of TCF's membership core. Jesus Inn now owns six houses. Other houses in the neighborhood are owned by individuals who are a part of the Jesus Inn community. In recent years, Gordon Wright has become involved in a significant international teaching ministry. Gordon joined the TCF elders during the years when Chuck and Bill were trying to transition from a pastor-led to a plural-led church. Gordon continues in that role.

At the time that Bill Sanders became the Pastor of Brookside Baptist, Jim Garrett had been the minister of Bellaire Christian Church for ten years. During that time, Jim had been part of a church planting team that had assisted in planting a number of churches in Oklahoma . When TCF was formed, a relationship quickly developed between the new fellowship and Bellaire Christian Church. TCF began to use Bellaire's buildings for many weekday and weeknight activities. During the next decade, Jim Garrett and Bill Sanders, along with several other ministers, met weekly for prayer in Bill's office. The relationship between TCF and Bellaire was strengthened further by a weekly noon meeting of TCF's younger leaders, held at Bellaire each Wednesday. Bill, Chuck, and Jim, led these meetings. In the fall of 1980, the Holy Spirit spoke to the elders of TCF and the elders of Bellaire Christian that Jim was to leave Bellaire and join the leadership team at TCF. He has been functioning as a part of the TCF leadership since February, 1981, and has authored several books and papers on New Testament church leadership.

Bruce Clutter, a computer systems analyst and project manager, began attending TCF while he was a student at ORU. (see photo of Bruce and Lynn below) At ORU, Bruce earned a Bachelor's Degree with a double major, computers and theology. He later earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Bruce's training and experience in the business world is a valuable addition to the elders' council. Bruce and his wife, Lynn, were among TCF's first house-church pastors. Together, they have trained and sent forth several house-church pastors. Bruce is an accomplished teacher of Scripture. He and Lynn are gifted counselors and have been used in pre-marital counseling at TCF.

Jim Grinnell and Joel Vesanen became TCF elders at the same time, in November 1988. Both of them also began attending TCF while they were students at ORU. Joel is a Finnish immigrant whose background is the Finnish Pentecostal movement. He received his Master of Divinity Degree at ORU. For many years, Joel was the crusade director of Terry Law's Living Sound, ministering in the U.S. , Europe , and the former USSR . He now is the Internation­al Director of Terry Law Ministries World Compassion. Joel is deeply involved in international ministry, with an emphasis on those countries where the Church is under persecution. He travels often to international “hot spots” such as China, Afghanistan, and Iraq . He and his wife, Ruth, have led Eagle's Nest House-church for almost 20 years.

Jim Grinnell and his wife Laura were TCF house-church pastors for five years before Jim became an elder. Jim received his Masters of Divinity Degree from the ORU seminary, then proceeded to earn a Masters Degree in Family Therapy at OSU. He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Jim maintains a private counseling practice, in addition to his full time work as a TCF elder. Jim oversees the BASIC Youth Program at TCF, and also serves as board president of the local Christian mental health ministry Bright Tomorrows.

Bill Sullivan and Dave Troutman became TCF elders in November, 1996. Both of the Troutmans (Dave and Beth) and the Sullivans (Bill and Barbara) are ORU graduates. Dave and Bill functioned in various leadership roles at TCF before becoming elders. For 15 years, after beginning his career in radio broadcasting and cable/satellite television, Bill was the owner of Shekinah Communications, a public relations firm. He left that profession at the end of 1999, to work full-time as an elder and church administrator at TCF. Bill and Barbara are house-church pastors of Piccolo House-Church. Bill also is one of the primary leaders in the TCF Children's Bible Bowl program. He is one of Tulsa 's leading pro-life advocates, serving on the board of MEND Pregnancy Resource Center .

Dave Troutman is an administrator with the Tulsa Public Schools. He is the director of the Adult GED Program, and also coordinates English as a Second Language classes. Dave and Beth were among TCF's first generation of house-church leaders. They have led a number of house-churches and in recent years, they have been the trainers of new house-church pastors. Currently, they lead Midtown House-Church. In the mid-1980's, the Troutman family spent three years in China , surreptitiously sharing the Gospel while they taught English at a Chinese University .

New Testament Church Leadership

Each of the TCF elders is uniquely gifted. These varied giftings and callings bring a full-orbed leadership to the church. The elders are in mutual submission to one another. In making decisions, the elders function by consensus, rather than by "majority rule" voting.

TCF is not congregational in polity. The fellowship is presbyterian (not in the denominational, but in the classical sense of the term). TCF does not have any constitution, by-laws, or written documents that spell out structure and function. The absence of such documents has been a great blessing, permitting the congregation to evolve under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

TCF Church Life

TCF is a congregation of house-churches scattered throughout the city. Each house-church has a unique personality, though all meet weekly for worship, mutual ministry, prayer, and teaching. Each group is led by a team of two couples. House-church pastors are trained through an intensive training course, plus an internship. The house-church pastors are "under-shepherds," caring for their flocks under the oversight of the elders. The house-churches provide an opportunity for people to learn how to minister to one another.

Another focus of TCF is the emphasis on prayer. Many in the congregation are involved in intercessory prayer on a daily basis. The leaders have learned that prayer, rather than schemes, cleverness, and plans, is the way to lead a church. Leaders and members pray for one another. This joint participation in prayer has to be a major (if not the major) reason why things function as they do at TCF.

TCF is a church that emphasizes strong families. About one half of TCF's membership is under sixteen years of age. Therefore, ministry to youth and children is a major focus in the church. Even though there is a strong emphasis on families, TCF also recognizes the value of the single life. The church realizes that some even may be called to a life of celibacy, as described by Paul in I Corinthians 7.

TCF Missions

In a city of many churches, it is assumed that each congregation has a special call or purpose for existence. Over the years, God has made apparent that He has called TCF to training and going into the Lord's harvest. International missions is at the heart of TCF's reason for existence. The highlight of the TCF church year is the annual missions conference in February. Everything that is done at TCF relates in some way to the church's mission statement, Training and going into the Lord's harvest.

Many church leaders across the nation received their training at TCF. Scores of TCF adult members have become missionaries. Former elders and house-church pastors are missionaries in many nations.

Conclusions

TCF ministers to other churches throughout the nation. Two of the elders, Jim Garrett and Gordon Wright, serve in apostolic and prophetic roles in other churches. TCF also provides an ongoing ministry to leaders of other churches through the production of written materials on topics related to church leadership.

Because of the emphasis on "going into the Lord's harvest," TCF is not a savings account, where assets are accumulated, but rather a checking account through which God's assets are channeled. The consistent prayer at TCF is for God to bring into our midst a steady flow of new people so that we can continue to send laborers into the harvest.

by James W. Garrett, Tulsa Christian Fellowship, 2121 E. Third St, Tulsa , Oklahoma 74104 918/587-2400