Some often-asked questions

What activities do you have for children and youth?
Should I join the church?
How do I join the church?
Do I have to be rebaptized to join Rocky River?
Must I be member of Rocky River or another Baptist church
   to receive communion here?

What activities do you have for children and youth?

We believe children and youth are a vital part of the church, and try to make them feel welcome in all of our activities.

Children

On Sunday mornings, as a part of our Sunday School classes, we have Children’s Choir beginning at 10 a.m. Children then separate by age into classes for Bible lessons and activities.

Later, during our regular morning worship, we provide a special children’s church program for ages 3 through kindergarten. Children typically stay with their parents in the worship service through a special children’s sermon and then participate in children’s church, though we're always glad to have children remain in the worship service with parents.

A nursery for babies and toddlers is provided during Sunday School and morning worship, as well as during many special events.

Each Sunday night, we offer other special activities for children. On the first Sunday of the month, Bible study and recreation is available for preschoolers (ages 3 to kindergarten) and children in 1st through 6th grade.

On the second and fourth Sundays, mission education groups meet for preschoolers (Missions Friends), girls grades 1 through 6 (GAs) and boys grades 1 through 6 (RAs).

Youth

Sunday School also is offered for the youth at 10 a.m. each Sunday and may participate in the adult choir during morning worship. But that's only one option.

Missions education groups are available — Acteens for girls in grades 7 and above and RAs for boys in grades 7 — and all may work on Challenger missions projects. Youth also participate in occasional day trips and recreational events.

third sundays @ rocky river

The third Sunday night each month is a special worship event for the whole family. Beginning at 6 p.m. most months, “third sundays @ rocky river” offers a special evening of entertainment with a focus on building faith and fellowship. back to top

Should I join the church?

We welcome everyone to attend and participate in services at Rocky River, and encourage everyone who has visited and feels comfortable participating and serving God here to join us in official membership. Though we welcome anyone to attend, only members may serve by holding office, teaching adult Sunday School or being appointed as deacons. While some may not have desire to participate in these capacities, we do believe that joining the church is still an important Christian commitment to make. back to top

How do I join the church?

The best way to start this process is to have a conversation with the pastor. The pastor does not make membership decisions for the church, but will guide you through the process. Requirements for membership are:

    1. You must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
    2. You must commit yourself to serve Christ through this congregation.
    3. You must be baptized as a believer by immersion. back to top

Do I have to be rebaptized to join Rocky River?

We require members to be baptized by immersion — being totally covered in water — after they have become believers. This is the pattern followed in the New Testament. If you have been baptized in this manner at another church, you do not need to be rebaptized, even if the other church is not Baptist. If you have not, we require that you be baptized in this manner. This is not intended to suggest that a baptism received as an infant is meaningless or insignificant. Baptism as a believer by immersion has a different symbolic meaning than an infant baptism, and this symbolism is an important part of the Baptist tradition. back to top

Must I be member of Rocky River or another Baptist church to receive communion here?

We welcome anyone who has personally accepted Christ as Savior and Lord to join us in receiving communion, no matter what denomination they prefer. Because we believe communion is reserved for believers, however, we do not offer communion to children who have not made a personal profession of faith. back to top