What Kind of Church is Cross & Crown?
We are a confessional, reformed, baptistic church that is passionate about seeing Christ crowned in every corner of life so that it forges a legacy of faith for generations to come (Ps. 145:4; Col. 1:18). We are unashamed of Scripture, unapologetic about truth, and unwavering in exalting Christ (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:23-24). We aim to be a rugged outpost of gospel fidelity, equipping saints to stand firm in a world gone adrift by raising up disciples who take up the Great Commission’s call to bow before King Jesus and to teach the nations to obey all that He has commanded (Eph. 6:13; Jude 1:3; Matt. 28:18-20; Phil. 2:9-11).
Confessional
We affirm and generally hold to the London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) and the Baptist Faith and Message (2000). We believe these confessions provide a clear, biblical, and systematic summary of essential Christian doctrine, grounded in Scripture and shaped by the historic Reformed tradition. By adhering to these confessions, we are deeply connected to a rich theological heritage, ensuring doctrinal unity and clarity across generations. Moreover, it serves as a safeguard against theological error and cultural drift, helping the church remain faithful to the truth in an ever-changing world.
Reformed
We anchor ourselves in the Reformation’s mighty truths: God’s sovereignty proclaimed, Scripture exalted, justification by faith alone cherished, and the centrality of the local church. We reject any gospel that compromises on Scripture's authority, standing firm on the “solas” of the Reformation: sola Scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria. We also believe communion is a means of grace where Christ truly nourishes us by His presence, strengthening our faith and sealing the covenant He established. We believe the church is central to God's mission in the world and through which He proclaims His gospel, disciples the nations, and displays His kingdom.
Baptistic
The term "baptist" refers to theological convictions and ecclesiastical practices of traditions that align closely with those of Baptist denominations. For this future work, this primarily means we believe: 1) baptism is for professing believers, 2) church membership should consist of those who demonstrate credible faith in Christ, and 3) each congregation governs itself independently.
What Kind of Church is Mercyview?
Mercyview is a conservative, reformed, Baptistic church that is passionate about seeing Christ crowned in every corner of life so that it forges a legacy of faith for generations to come (Ps. 145:4; Col. 1:18). We are unashamed of Scripture, unapologetic about truth, and unwavering in exalting Christ (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:23-24). We aim to be a rugged outpost of gospel fidelity, equipping saints to stand firm in a world gone adrift by raising up disciples who take up the Great Commission’s call to bow before King Jesus and to teach the nations to obey all that He has commanded (Eph. 6:13; Jude 1:3; Matt. 28:18-20; Phil. 2:9-11).
Conservative
We stand firm in the Word, undeterred by the shifting tides of culture, choosing conviction over compromise (Matt. 7:24; Eph. 4:14; Gal. 1:10). In a world that demands conformity, we wear the scandal of Scripture proudly—marked by unapologetic theology, unyielding moral clarity, and a bold, countercultural witness that refuses to bend the knee to anything but Christ's sovereign rule over every inch of life (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Titus 2:7; Acts 4:19-20; Phil. 2:9-11).
Reformed
We anchor ourselves in the Reformation’s mighty truths: God’s sovereignty proclaimed, Scripture exalted, and covenantal theology embraced (Ps. 115:3, Isa. 40:8, Gen. 17:7). We reject any gospel that compromises on Scripture's authority, standing firm on the “solas” that proclaim salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, challenging the world to submit to His kingship (Eph. 2:8-9; John 14:6; Col. 3:17; Phil. 2:10). We also understand communion as a means of grace where Christ truly nourishes us by His presence, strengthening our faith and sealing the covenant He established (John 6:56; 1 Cor. 10:16; Matt. 26:28; Luke 22:19-20).
Baptistic
The term "Baptistic" refers to theological convictions and ecclesiastical practices of traditions that align closely with those of Baptist denominations. For Mercyview, this primarily means we believe: 1) baptism is for professing believers (Acts 2:38; Matthew 28:19), 2) church membership should consist of those who demonstrate credible faith in Christ (Acts 2:41; 1 John 2:19), 3) each congregation governs itself independently, free from outside control or hierarchical oversight Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:2-3), and 4) communion is a sacred means by which Christ Himself feeds us, deepening our faith, and affirming the covenant He sealed with His blood (John 6:56; 1 Cor. 10:16; Matt. 26:28; Luke 22:19-20).
What is Cross & Crown's Philosophy of Ministry?
Centered on the Lord's Day
The Lord’s Day is our focal point. The Sunday gathering is the gravitational center and focusing on Lord’s Day (meals, classes, conversations, etc.) is our immediate and long-standing focus and priority for our members. It is both our launching pad and our anchor, forming us in the gospel and reordering our loves. Prioritizing the Lord’s Day is not a temporary emphasis but a long-term commitment to put first things first: Christ, His people, and His kingdom.
Founded on Scriptures
The Scriptures are foundational. The writer of Hebrews tells us that maturity comes through "constant practice," through training our senses to distinguish good from evil. This means that a Bible-saturated life is a life of reforming our thinking and our habits to align with the wisdom of God, calling us into a deeper understanding of God’s will for the world and our role in it. Our church must be training grounds for discernment, where men and women are equipped to wield the Word in their own local church, their families, their workplaces, their neighborhoods, and their civic life.
Formed by the Lordship of Christ
The lordship of Christ is formational. In the cultural confusion of recent years and the reality of the “negative world” (or post-Christendom), it has become clear that Christians need deeper discipleship - not just in doctrine but in how we live under Christ’s rule. Following Jesus includes submitting every area of life - our homes, our habits, our hopes - to His lordship as well. Gospel-centrality means that a believer’s identity, purpose, and strength are always anchored in the truth that Jesus is Savior but also that a gospel-centered life does not stop at the gospel received but moves into the gospel obeyed.
What is Cross & Crown's Mission?
Through the local church, strengthening families (Deut. 6:4-9), equipping the saints (Eph. 4:11-13), and proclaiming the King and His kingdom (Ezek. 47:1-12).
Through the Local Church
The local church is not just one ministry among many, it is God’s chosen vehicle for discipleship, mission, and cultural renewal. It is the embassy of Christ’s kingdom in the world, where the Word is preached, the sacraments are administered, and believers are formed into a holy people. Everything we do flows from the life and worship of the gathered church.
Strengthening Families
God designed the family as the foundational unit of both church and culture. We aim to strengthen families by rooting them in the Word, equipping parents to disciple their children (Deut. 6:4-9), and fostering marriages that reflect Christ and the Church. A healthy church grows by cultivating healthy households - homes where the gospel is both taught and lived. This is not to say that our unmarried brothers and sisters are overlooked, rather, they are essential members of the family of faith, bringing unique strength, service, and spiritual vitality to our church as well.
Equipping the Saints
Every believer is called to ministry (Eph. 4:11-13) and our task as leaders is to train the saints for the work of the kingdom where they worship (this church), live (neighborhood), work, and play. We are committed to forming mature, discerning, Spirit-empowered Christians who know how to wield the Word and walk in wisdom in the world.
Proclaiming the King and His Kingdom
As Ezekiel’s vision shows in Ez. 47, the river of God’s presence brings life wherever it flows. This means that we are heralds of a King and citizens of a Kingdom through our worship and witness. Our mission is not merely to grow a church but to see the reign of Christ extend into every corner of Tulsa and beyond. We long to see Christ exalted, the lost reclaimed, and every sphere of life- family, work, the arts, even politics - brought under the joyful reign of King Jesus.
Like what you see here online?
Come and worship with us for several weeks. We believe that if you come and worship with us for six weeks, visit one or two of our gospel communities, and connect with one of our elders you’ll have a pretty good idea of who we are and what we believe. Three easy steps:
1. Join us for worship. Our weekly worship gathering begins at 10:30 am each Sunday morning, and last for around 90 minutes. Together we read God's word, sing, pray, are taught the Scriptures, and take the Lord's Supper together each week.
2. Join us for one of our Gathered Dinners. These meals take place on the second Thursday of each month at the church, and are a time to gather around a table with the people of Cross & Crown for a time of building friendships and enjoying good food.
3. Meet with one of our leaders. After you’ve had the chance to read more about us and what we believe, if you would like to meet with one of our leaders, you can fill out the form below or email info@crossandcrowntulsa.com to get connected.
1. Join us for worship. Our weekly worship gathering begins at 10:30 am each Sunday morning, and last for around 90 minutes. Together we read God's word, sing, pray, are taught the Scriptures, and take the Lord's Supper together each week.
2. Join us for one of our Gathered Dinners. These meals take place on the second Thursday of each month at the church, and are a time to gather around a table with the people of Cross & Crown for a time of building friendships and enjoying good food.
3. Meet with one of our leaders. After you’ve had the chance to read more about us and what we believe, if you would like to meet with one of our leaders, you can fill out the form below or email info@crossandcrowntulsa.com to get connected.