Q.  I was baptized as a baby.  Do I need to be baptized again?

A.  Sprinkling a baby is a sign of the parents' commitment.  Your choice to be baptized is an expression of your adult commitment to Christ.  The Bible shows this pattern in the book of Acts: hearing the gospel, believing and repenting and then getting baptized.

Q.  I was baptized before I really turned my life to Christ.  Should I be baptized again?

A.  Yes.  The Bible says to repent, believe and then be baptized.

Q.  I am re-dedicating my life to Christ.  Should I be baptized again?

A.  If your original baptism was a Christian baptism, as a step in obedience to what the Bible says, then you do not need to be baptized again.

Q.  Do I have to wait until the annual church service at the beach to be baptized?

A.  No, we will meet you at the beach anytime.

Q.  Where do you perform baptisms?

A.  Typically at Cordry-Sweetwater Beach, but we will meet you anywhere.

Q.  Who do I contact if I want to be baptized?

A.  You can contact Pastor Jon directly or call the office.

Having received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord, having been baptized, and being in agreement with COTL's statements, strategy and structure, I feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with this church family. In making this commitment, I pledge to do the following four things:

1. I will protect the unity of my church

...by acting in love toward all other members

...by refusing to gossip

...by following the leaders God has placed in this church

[Jesus prayed]"... I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. ...May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." -John 17:20-23

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. -1 Peter 3:8

Do not let any unwholesome talk (gossip, murmuring, slander) come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. -Philippians 4:8

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. -Hebrews 13:17

Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts.-1 Peter 1:22

2. I will share the responsibility for my church's health and well-being

...by praying for its growth

...by inviting the unchurched to attend

...by warmly welcoming those who visit

Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers

          -1 Thessalonians 1:2

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads. Go out to the country lanes. Make the people come in. I want my house to be full. -Luke 14:23

Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God. -Romans 15:7

3. I will serve the ministry of my church

...by discovering my gifts and talents

...by becoming equipped to serve by my pastors, elders and teachers

...by developing a servant's heart

God's gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. 

You should use it faithfully.-1 Peter 4:10 

[God] gave some the gift to be pastors and teachers. He did it so that they might prepare God's people to serve. If they do, the body of Christ will be built up.-Ephesians 4:11-12

Don't do anything only to get ahead. Don't do it because you are proud. Instead, be free of pride. Think of others as better than yourselves. None of you should look out just for your own good. You should also look out for the good of others. You should think in the same way Christ Jesus does. ... He took on the very nature of a servant. -Philippians 2:3-4, 7

4. I will support the testimony of my church

...by attending faithfully

...by living a life pleasing to God

...by giving regularly to the church

Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. -Hebrews 10:25

But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. -Philippians 1:27

On every Lord's Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering.-1 Corinthians 16:2

You have learned some about Church of the Lakes, had some of your questions answered, and heard about salvation, baptism and the Lord's Supper. In response to these things, we invite you to participate in the great adventure of worshiping, studying, fellowship, praying and sharing together with other believers at Church of the Lakes.

God has uniquely gifted each one of us to serve and it is our job to help you discover where that is.  There are so many ways to get involved at COTL, we have opportunities in the following area's but God may be calling you to something totally different.  Please contact us about serving and we will connect you with one of our team leaders.

Harvestland & Nursery

Youth

Men's Ministry

Guardian Angels

Missions & Outreach

Fellowship

Please watch our Website, FaceBook page and Bulletin for serving opportunities in the near future.