By God’s grace, with repentance and faith in Christ, through our baptism, we become members of Christ’s Holy Church. But this membership is always expressed locally through affiliation with a particular body of believers.

We see church membership as a formal way of saying, “I’m on board with what the Holy Spirit is doing in this church community and want to grow and be formed alongside these people.” Membership is not, however, a requirement to worship, volunteer or be in an Apprentice Group at Cornerstone.

Those Who Desire to Be Members Must:

• Be at least 16 years of age

• Have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Confess their belief in the Orthodox Christian Faith, as expressed through the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.

• Receive the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as being authoritative for their own life, and for the life of the church.

• Intend, with God’s help, to embody the Five Member Practices of Formation, Friendship, Service, Generosity and Mission.

Membership & ‘Disputable Matters’ or Sensitive Topics

All who would become members of Cornerstone Tulsa should be cheerfully settled on the church’s strong doctrinal and ethical convictions and not hope or intend to alter where we stand. Any members who desire to be leaders or teachers in the church (with Kids, Students, or Adults), but who hold differing views on ‘disputable matters’ (eg. women in ministry, infant baptism vs. believer’s baptism) are expected to peacefully abide by our views and not teach or advocate to the contrary in the church. And we are all expected to conduct ourselves with humility and charity, both in-person and online, knowing that we represent the Lord Jesus.

Sexual identity and expression is an especially sensitive and personal topic. Two important dynamics direct how we think about this: First, we are fully resolved in our understanding from the Scriptures that all who follow Jesus must strive to bring their sexuality and gender under his lordship (see sermons/summaries below). Second, we are resolved to treat all persons with dignity and the kindness of God shown to us in Jesus Christ. If you have specific questions about this topic, we recommend you seek a conversation with one of our pastors.

What Members Can Count On from Church Leaders:

• We will submit ourselves to the authority of Scripture & to our episcopal oversight in all things godly, scriptural and lawful

• We will faithfully preach the Scriptures and foster a healthy environment for worship and spiritual formation

• We will create, maintain and abide by systems for safeguarding the well-being of Children, Students and Adults in accordance with C4SO’s community care guidelines

• We will foster environments for the development of spiritual friendships for Children, Students and Adults

• We will create pathways for meaningful service and the development of one’s gifts

• We will cultivate networks and strategies of Care for persons going through the great difficulties of life

• Under the leadership of our Vestry, we will wisely and faithfully steward funds given to the Lord through the church