Conservative Baptist Network of Oklahoma Officially Forms to Unite Conservative Baptist Pastors and Churches
Bartlesville, OK – In a time when many Baptist pastors and churches sense a growing disconnect in traditional denominational frameworks, the Conservative Baptist Network of Oklahoma (CBNOK) announces its official formation as a pastor-led affinity network in Oklahoma. Previously existing as a loose coalition, CBNOK has now solidified its structure to unite like-minded conservative Baptist pastors and churches across the state, offering a fresh vision for fostering a Christ-exalting, confessionally Baptist, and steadfastly conservative fellowship, empowering local churches to cooperatively pursue the Great Commission with clarity and conviction.
While CBNOK existed informally in the past mainly working to address problems of denominational misalignment, its official formation marks a renewed commitment to cooperation and clarity on the good things we can be and do together. At its inaugural meeting in March, 2025, at Cornerstone Church in Bartlesville, the network formalized its constitution and bylaws, establishing a pastor-led leadership Board and a clear membership process. A follow-up gathering in April, 2025, at Eastwood Baptist in Tulsa, the group adopted key statements of belief, reinforcing CBNOK’s commitment to theological fidelity. Its last meeting this month in Coleman, OK, the newly formed Board of Pastors began discussions of future opportunities for cooperation that would advance the Gospel of Christ, and give glory to God.
Addressing a Need for Clarity and Conviction
CBNOK is responding to the desire of many pastors across the country for a network that prioritizes Biblical truth and local church leadership over complex institutional systems—keeping transparency and cooperation clear and biblical. The network distinguishes itself by emphasizing:
Biblical Fidelity & Theological Clarity: A unified, confessionally Baptist voice rooted in historic Baptist distinctives. The network is anchored in the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, Danvers Statement, Nashville Statement, and Dallas Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel.
Accountable Stewardship: Churches do not federalize their funding. There is no receptacle for funds outside our local churches ensuring alignment with local church’s values at all times.
Local Church Autonomy: Churches decide how much to cooperate, and what projects they will fund free from top-down mandates or bureaucratic layers of involvement.
Streamlined Cooperation: A lean, pastor-driven structure that avoids autonomous, para-church frameworks, focusing on practical ministry partnerships.
“CBNOK isn’t here to compete with other Baptist associations or conventions but to offer a complementary path for those seeking a focused, conservative network for fellowship and cooperation” said James Biesiadecki, Director of CBNOK. “We’re about building partnerships that strengthen Oklahoma’s churches and advance the gospel together.”
A Vision for Kingdom Impact
CBNOK is focused in three ways:
Encouraging : Strengthening pastors through regular fellowship, monthly or bimonthly meetings, and an annual gathering for targeted training to renew their calling.
Equipping: Providing churches with resources and strategies for effective evangelism, discipleship, complementarian ministries, and leadership development.
Engaging: Fostering cooperative efforts such as church planting, mission partnerships, and biblically grounded responses to cultural and ecclesiastical challenges.
Empowering Churches with Transparency and Simplicity
CBNOK’s financial model ensures churches retain full control over their resources, free from centralized oversight or pressure to fund initiatives misaligned with their convictions. Host churches manage budgets for events like luncheons or conferences, while cooperative projects, such as church plants, are led by designated churches with transparent budgets, and reporting, with voluntary contributions coming from the other churches. “At CBNOK, we believe stewardship begins with transparency, and that builds trust,” said Biesiadecki, “but it also grows in alignment with convictions. Our churches decide exactly how their resources are used, with every dollar accounted for at the local level. This keeps our focus on ministry, not entity management, and ensures every congregation’s convictions are honored within our framework.”
By rejecting bureaucracy, CBNOK keeps decision-making local and agile. “We’ve intentionally designed CBNOK to be simple and biblical, steering clear of the heavy unnecessary structures that can complicate ministry, and create pockets for waste and abuse. CBNOK doesn’t even need a 501c3 when all ministry and money is handled from the platforms of local churches,” Biesiadecki explained. “Our network is about pastors and churches actually working side by side for the sake of the Gospel, united by shared faith, purpose, and mission—not shackles of red tape. When we refer to the CBNOK, we don’t say ‘them’, we say ‘us’. There is no ‘them!’”
An Invitation to Join
CBNOK invites Baptist pastors and churches in Oklahoma who share its commitment to Biblical truth and conservative principles to join this dynamic network. You don’t have to vacate your current partnerships, associations, or conventions and you can either join as a pastor, or as a church. Member churches are respected in their full autonomy while they work together to build meaningful fellowship, practical resources, and develop opportunities for collective impact.
“CBNOK is a movement of pastors and churches united to proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction,” said Biesiadecki. “We’re here as local churches cooperating to empower and encourage each other to thrive, free from unnecessary burdens, and free to partner in ways that are not always possible in other structures. It’s just another way to honor God and advance His kingdom.”
As a pastor or elder, you are invited to come join CBNOK leadership for coffee at 10AM on July 22, 2025, at First Baptist Edmond, OK. This will be an informal gathering to hear about the vision of CBNOK and ask questions to see if this is a good fit for you and your church. For more information about CBNOK, membership, or upcoming events, visit www.CBNOK.org.
About the Conservative Baptist Network of Oklahoma (CBNOK)
CBNOK is an association of conservative Baptist pastors and churches in Oklahoma operating from the platforms of our local churches and is dedicated to encouraging pastoral leadership, equipping churches for effective ministry, and engaging in cooperative efforts for Kingdom impact. Rooted in historic Baptist distinctives and conservative values, CBNOK advances the Great Commission through fellowship, training, and strategic partnerships, with transparent financial accountability and without unbiblical bureaucracy. “CBNOK: Biblically Conservative, Distinctively Baptist.”