Community Connections
Building community in Tulsa one chapter at a time
There is something powerful about a group of women sitting together with a book, a cup of something warm, and the willingness to be honest. Book clubs have been one of the most underestimated tools for discipleship, friendship, and personal growth — and they do not require a big budget, a church building, or a degree in theology to run well.
If you have been thinking about starting a faith-based book club in Tulsa, this page is for you. Here are the things I have learned from years of gathering women around good books and better conversation.
Before you send a single invitation, spend time in prayer about the vision for your group. Ask God who to invite and what kind of atmosphere He wants you to create. A book club rooted in intentional purpose will go much deeper than one that just shows up to discuss pages. Write down what you hope people will walk away feeling — seen, encouraged, challenged, strengthened — and let that guide every decision you make.
Four to eight people is ideal for a first season. Smaller groups allow everyone to speak, build genuine friendships, and show up consistently. You can always grow later. Invite people you sense have a hunger to go deeper — not just in reading, but in life and faith. Diversity of age and experience makes the conversations richer.
Pick books that invite honest conversation — not just inspiration but examination. Faith-based memoirs, books on prayer and healing, and titles that address real struggles tend to spark the most meaningful discussion. Trish's recommended reading list in the Faith & Wisdom section is a great starting point. Rotate who picks the next book so the group feels shared ownership.
A living room, a back porch, a quiet corner of a coffee shop — the setting matters more than you think. People open up when they feel at home. In Tulsa, consider meeting at Foolish Things Coffee, a church fellowship hall, or rotating homes each month. Keep the format simple: a snack or coffee, 20 minutes of casual catch-up, then an hour of discussion.
Don't just ask 'what did you think?' Go deeper. What surprised you? What made you uncomfortable? Where did you see yourself in this story? What do you want to believe that you don't quite believe yet? Let the book be a doorway into each other's lives. The best book club moments happen when someone says something out loud that they have never said before.
Set the tone early: what is shared in the group stays in the group. Encourage people to speak from their own experience rather than giving advice. Make room for questions, doubt, and 'I don't know.' A group where people feel they have to perform will never go anywhere meaningful. A group where people feel safe to be real will change lives.
Monthly meetings are the sweet spot for most groups — frequent enough to stay connected, spread out enough that reading doesn't become a burden. Pick a standing day and time and protect it. Life gets busy, but the groups that last are the ones that treat their meeting as a non-negotiable appointment rather than something that shifts around everyone's schedule.
The books are just the beginning. The best book clubs become something closer to a small group — a place where people pray for each other, celebrate milestones, and show up in hard seasons. Don't be afraid to set the book aside when someone needs to be heard. The reading is the vehicle, not the destination.
Trish's recommended reading list is curated for women who want to go deeper in faith, healing, and honest living.
Browse Recommended Books