About Us

Who are we?

We are lay persons and ministers of various denominations
in conversation regarding issues of faith and religion.

Rev. Jack Bryant
Minister, Hope Unitarian Church ~ 8432 S. Sheridan Rd.

Rev. Todd Freeman
Minister, College Hill Presbyterian Church ~ 712 S. Columbia Ave.

“When I was called to be the pastor of College Hill Presbyterian Church back in 2008, one of my biggest concerns wasn’t fitting in theologically with the congregation, but within the religious community of Tulsa in general. I was thrilled to find that progressive religious thought is important to many within this community. Sometimes it’s easy to feel isolated, and at some level oppressed, when one embarks on the journey to question historical orthodoxy and explore new avenues of theological thought in our day and time. My hope is that the Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa will enable dialogue, education, and fellowship with other progressives.”

Rev. Mary Anne Harris
Minister, Unity Church of Christianity ~ 3355 S. Jamestown Ave.

As a Bible historian, I have always been puzzled by the literal interpretation of the Bible.  Even in the face of overwhelming evidence (historical, linguistic, archeological, and cultural) few are willing to dialogue the deeper MESSAGE of Jesus of Nazareth rather than the story about Jesus.  This is a place to discover and make friends who share the journey.

Rev. Bob Lawrence
Pastor, Community of Hope ~ 2545  S. Yale Ave.

As a personal victim of oppressive religious dogma that told me I wasn’t welcome in God’s presence, I am deeply committed to raising the voices of those who understand the radical inclusivity and extravagant welcome that has been granted to us by the creative presence of the universe.  I am part of a community of faith that considers one another “companions on a journey as we seek to live in the Way of Jesus.”  I know there are others on similar paths, and I am excited about the possibility of sharing our journeys via the Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa.

Frank Levin
Presbyterian layperson

Let me tell you some of the reasons why I consider myself a Progressive Christian.  I do not believe in the inerrancy of the Bible.  I do not believe in a God who looks, thinks, feels, reacts as a human being would. I do not believe in the virgin birth.  I do not believe that Christ died for my sins.

I am a Christian because Christ lived.  I believe the Bible was written by humans and its truth is because of the metaphors in it.   If my mind cannot accept something, I cannot believe it.

I believe that if God wants the meek to inherit the world, they will contest the Will, unless there are huge improvements in the way things are.  If you are interested in an alternative way to view Christianity, come join us and me.

Randy Lewis
Student Minister, All Souls Unitarian ~

“I am presently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Phillips Theological Seminary. I am excited about the forming of the Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa, (PRCT).  Our group consists of individuals who seek to engage in progressive religious dialogue in an effort to foster a greater sense of unity, community, and progressive religious education; this is truly a group that I need to be a part of.”

Rev. Georgann Peck
Associate Minister of Youth and Families ~ Fellowship Congregational Church ~ 2900 S. Harvard Ave.

Rev. Dr. Don Roulet
Retired Presbyterian Minister

I am an Oklahoman by heritage.  My grandparents were pioneers who settled in western Oklahoma, built a dug out house, and farmed a quarter section of red dirt near Thomas Oklahoma.  I grew up in the folk religion of that part of our State.  In spite of my cultural influences from family and fellow citizens, I learned about the fear and self-depreciation of religion in that arena.  At first I rebelled as a twelve year old kid and refused to go to church or Sunday school.  I first heard that the story of creation in Genesis 1 and 2 was in fact two stories that depicted two very different versions of Yahweh’s creation of the universe.  That shook me up.  My public education was keen to refute that “liberal, Bible destroying” opinion.  However, for me that little time of doubt opened my mind to question the dictates of my culture.  I left that culture and began a journey of education, education that continually freed my mind to “think”!  I came to the conclusion that God had endowed me with a brain and expected me to use it.  I did!  As I grew Intellectually and continued to live in Oklahoma, I discovered that there were very few people with whom I could talk, people who would not be immediately shocked by my questions and developing answers.  During the last several years that crowd of people who were not condemnatory of reason has grown smaller and smaller.  I found that I have to be careful with whom I shared my thinking.

Through the years I attained a bachelor degree, a masters degree and two doctoral degrees through which I explored the depths and dangers of religion, the kind that dominates the churches in Oklahoma. Through all these years I have served as a caring pastor who loved to see individuals learn and grow.  Through these years as a church executive, I watched the diversity of leaders and laypersons grow smaller.  Now in retirement it seemed that there was no-one to share in the adventure of thinking.  At last, the Progressive Religious Coalition of Tulsa gives many progressives a way to connect and converse without condemnation and shock.   As I am committed to education, I expect that this opportunity will become successful for all of us who have been shoved to the edge of cultural Christianity.  Join the conversation.  You will have friends here.