Equipping leaders from
the church, for the church.

Applications for CBI are currently closed. Sign up to be notified when applications open.

Central Church's core conviction is that God's chief instrument for His redemptive activity is the church. Through His church, God's Word is declared, the lost are saved, and the saints are built up and commissioned for the work of the ministry.

We aim to be a local church that takes seriously the entirety of the Great Commission. From evangelizing neighbors to commissioning missionaries, we're on a mission of discipleship to serve the people of God on their journey from lost to leading.

Upcoming Events

Are you called to church leadership?

Taking classes with CBI has equipped me to shepherd God’s people in ways that I never imagined were possible. Studying with the pastors and teachers who lead your local church is a practical and life-changing experience.

Kelly McElrath
Elder at Central Church

Sign up today and be equipped to serve God’s people.

Who is CBI for?

Central Bible Institute is primarily for members at Central Church who desire to lead in Christian ministry. 

  • CBI is for men and women who are baptized believers who are actively serving in ministry and involved in fellowship with other believers at Central Church (shepherd groups, Bible studies, etc.).

  • CBI is for believers who have already completed one or more Equip Class and who long to go deeper. 

  • CBI is for believers who desire to serve God’s people and who are willing to bear the responsibilities of leadership.  

  • CBI is for believers who are willing and disciplined to put in 6-10 hours of weekly, challenging study time and classroom discussion. 

  • CBI is for those who want to build rich relationships with other believers who share a desire to lead in Christ's church.

  • CBI is for believers who love the local church.

Dr. Matt Shackelford, Lead Teaching Pastor of Central Church

“For Central Church to aggressively multiply, mature, and mobilize disciples, we must strategically train up the next generation of servant-leaders for the glory of God.”

Who Should Not Enroll in CBI?

Non-believers and new believers will not be admitted into CBI. If you have yet to put your faith in Jesus Christ, you must. Learn what the gospel is all about here. If you are a new believer, you should take the next steps by participating in one of Central Church’s Wednesday night Equip Classes here

  • CBI is not for those who have yet to take the first steps in discipleship via Equip Classes. 

  • CBI is not for those who are sporadic in Sunday morning attendance. 

  • CBI is not for those who do not want to bear the responsibilities and costs of leadership. 

  • CBI is not for those who think theological education is unimportant.

  • CBI is not for those who are undisciplined.  

  • CBI is not for those who think little of the local church. 

Greg Sukert, CBI Director

“Many people pursue church leadership for their own recognition and praise. This is a tragedy and an affront to the gospel.

When Christ calls a man or woman to Himself, He bids them to come and die. Truly following Jesus means surrendering everything to Him.

Theological education with CBI is not an avenue for self-praise. It is a means of glorifying God, dying to self, and faithfully striving to serve others with the Word of God.”

CBI Certifications

  • Dr. Jim Allman teaching a class

    Biblical Studies Certificate

    Learn to teach Scripture by completing courses in Old and New Testament and Biblical Interpretation (for men and women).

  • Church Leadership Certificate

    Prepare to serve the church by completing courses in Missions, Systematic Theology, and Biblical Counseling (for men and women).

  • Pastoral Ministry Certificate

    Become a shepherd of God’s people by completing courses in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Preaching (for men only).

After 20+ years in the faith, I realized I had become complacent with my knowledge of scripture. Central Bible Institute opened my eyes to many doctrinal issues that had never occurred to me before and cleared away the poisonous clutter of bad theology in my mind. Now I've become equipped with the resources and techniques to study and interpret the scriptures for myself. I cannot recommend the classes at Central Bible Institute highly enough.

Heidi Mangini
Member at Central Church

FAQs

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Applications for CBI are currently closed. Sign up to be notified when applications open.