Here are answers to commonly asked questions about RiverOaks; from what to expect on a Sunday morning to how to get better connected.
When and where is the worship service?
Sunday morning at 9:00am and 10:45am, we meet at 5150 East 101st St, Tulsa, OK 74137 (near 101st and Yale).
What is the worship service like?
Some people tell us our services are formal, others have told us we are the most informal church they have ever visited. Our worship is casual, yet liturgical; we take worship seriously and try to make it beautiful while keeping it warm and easily understandable. We sing hymns that are usually set to more modern tunes and celebrate the sacraments weekly.
We believe that God meets us in worship in distinct ways that He doesn't in any other circumstance. We believe that worship should not just be a conduit to get people into community groups and discipleship groups; rather, we believe that worship is an extremely valuable thing in and of itself. True worship provides real life change.
Pastor Ricky teaches through passages of Scripture and books of the Bible, and the exposition of God's Word is a vital part of the worship service. You can go to the sermons page to check it out. The best way to answer this question is to come see for yourself!
What do people wear?
Most people dress casually wearing jeans, khakis and sometimes shorts. Others opt for a corporate casual look. You have a lot of freedom; come as you are!
What is your music style like?
We have a great band who plays beautiful hymns that are set to modern tunes. Several highly talented musicians lead us with guitars, a piano, and a cajón or drums. The music is contemporary yet filled with ancient and modern hymns. We want our songs to be theologically rich, yet able to be sung by anyone. We are big on the congregation singing and measure the success of a song by how loud the congregation sings!
How will I know where to go?
Greeters will welcome you at the entrance of the sanctuary building. If you have special needs, please let the greeters know; our services are handicapped accessible and a wheel chair is available if needed.
What if I need to step out of the service?
You are welcome to step out when you need. Moms and dads, we don’t mind crying babies (signs of life and joy!) but if you would like to step out, we have a "Cry Room" available (in the sanctuary to the right when facing the stage).
Do you have a good children's ministry?
We believe we have a great children’s ministry! We have classes for children ranging from 3 months through 5th grade. Our goal is for children to love coming to church and begin their walk with Christ. We strive for every child to be and feel safe, loved and happy. Our children’s ministry is led by Shannan Stitt. She has worked with children for 20 years and is passionate about their care and helping lead them to Christ. She would love to visit with you and answer any questions you may have. Find her contact information here.
Where do the children go?
You may check your children in at our registration kiosk on the west side of the sanctuary entrance (follow the signs or just ask!) New parents or guardians can ask our greeters to show them the way. During the worship service, nursery care is available for infants through three years old. Children four and five years old will be invited back to the children’s area before the sermon, but you can keep them with you as long as you would like. We love seeing families sitting together in worship, singing together, repenting together, and growing in faith together. During their classes, your children will hear the gospel through an age appropriate lesson from God’s Word.
Is there Sunday School?
Yes, adults meet from 9:30am to 10:30am in the conference room at the church office (SE corner of the parking lot) for classes taught by our elders and other approved teachers. They are open for anyone to join at any time.
How can I get connected to the life of the church?
We take fellowship seriously here at RiverOaks, in that we want you to be known and loved, and to have good friends here. Our Community Groups are a good way to get plugged in, along with our Bible studies and Adult Sunday School.
What if I’m single?
Yeah, RiverOaks does seem to be all families, doesn’t it? But you would be surprised at how many singles find our community a breath of fresh air. Married folks have a lot to learn from singles and singles have a lot to learn from those married. We think you'll fit in just fine.
What does "Presbyterian" mean?
Presbyterians are a traditional denomination with deep historic roots in Tulsa. We stress God’s kingship over all creation, Jesus’ perfect work of salvation and an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. "Presbyterian" simply refers to the way the church is governed. In Greek, the word "presbeuteros" means elder or shepherd (Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1; 1 Timothy 5:17; Acts 15; Acts 16:4; Acts 20:17; James 5:14). Our pastor is held accountable by other pastors in the region who make up a presbytery.
Don't let the funny name keep you from coming. On any given Sunday, we will have Baptists, Methodists, non-denominationals, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, cynics, skeptics, and lots of people who have no clue what any of these terms mean.
How is RiverOaks governed?
We are lead by a group of elders (called a session or an elder board). Our current session is comprised of two teaching elders (Pastor Ricky and Pastor Jonathan) and eight ruling elders (men chosen by the Holy Spirit and elected by the congregation to shepherd and help pastor them) (1 Tim 3; Titus 1). These elders are part of a regional church court called a presbytery. Each year, all the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) ministers and Ruling Elders come together to make important decisions at the General Assembly of the PCA.
What is the PCA?
The PCA is one of 4 major Presbyterian denominations in America. We are a conservative denomination committed to the truth of the Bible, the necessity of evangelism, and the influence of the gospel through all of culture. In our context today, there are two major Presbyterian denominations in the United States: the mainline PC(USA) and the more conservative PCA. Simply put the PCA is committed to the Great Commission, the authority of Scripture, marriage between one man and one woman, sex within marriage only, and a complementarian view of church leadership (men serve as elders and deacons). We don't think we have it all figured out, but we strive to keep the good news of Christ central in every aspect of life. If you want to know the current conversations about engaging late modern culture, read this. If you want to read more about why the PCA began, you may enjoy reading its history here.
What does the membership process look like?
There are three steps in becoming a member of RiverOaks. First, you will need to attend RiverOaks 101, a class periodically taught by Pastor Ricky. Then you will need to participate in a lunch interview with an elder, having a conversation about your Christian faith and life. Finally, you will be ready to take vows during a service led by Pastor Ricky. Basically, our membership process is designed so you can get to know us better and we can get to know you better before you take your membership vows.
Have another question?
Anything is fair game. Fire away. Contact us at info@riveroakstulsa.com