Central Bible Institute

Equipping leaders from
the church, for the church.

Applications close on June 16, 2024.

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.

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).

    Learn more

  • Church Leadership Certificate

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

    learn more

  • Pastoral Ministry Certificate

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

    learn more

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

  • In short, no. Each CBI class is a discussion-based cohort where the students read and come prepared to teach through what they’ve read. During the class, the teacher leads discussions on the reading, drawing out each student to articulate the material. This is called the Socratic method of teaching (used commonly in classical education, law school, and doctoral seminars), and it is an active model of learning.

    Since CBI classes are not lecture-based, they do not provide a suitable environment for passive observers (they could even be a distraction to the small group).

    While the tutorial model of learning is not suitable for auditing, the benefit of this model is that students get to maximize their engagement with the material, peers, and professor. We’re praying that the Lord uses this model to raise up and equip many active leaders here at Central.

  • CBI classes are on Monday nights at Central Church during the fall and spring semesters from 5:30-8:00 PM. Dinner and childcare are provided Monday nights.

    Select classes will occasionally be offered weekly from 6-7 AM in a 9-month version for students who need to study at a slower pace.

  • Applicants will have their submissions reviewed by CBI’s leadership team. Qualified applicants will progress to an interview with the CBI faculty. Admitted applicants will then be welcomed into CBI and then placed into a fall or spring cohort to begin working toward their certifications and mobilization into church leadership.

  • Yes, applicants must be 18 or older.

  • The Biblical Studies Certificate can be completed in three semesters. Once this foundational certificate is completed, the Church Leadership Certificate can be completed in three more semesters. Once those two certificates are acquired, the Pastoral Ministry Certificate can be completed in two more semesters.

    Students can only take one class per semester. The average semester lasts 20 weeks in the fall and spring.

    Select classes will occasionally be offered weekly from 6:15 to 7:15 AM in a 9-month version for students who need to study at a slower pace.

  • For members of Central Church, there is no cost for CBI. It is an investment that we joyfully and committedly make for the development of ministry leaders (dinner, books, and childcare provided).

    That being said, there is a cost to pursuing church leadership. We expect students to sacrifice 6-10 hours each week to complete their reading, assignments, and classroom meetings.

  • The average time invested into CBI classes each semester is 6-10 hours a week to complete the required reading, assignments, and classroom meetings.

    Classroom meeting sessions last, on average, between 2-3 hours weekly (dinner and childcare are provided).

    Due to this high investment of time and energy, we highly encourage you to step away from all other Bible studies while you take classes. It is worth exclusively focusing on each subject offered within CBI.

    Select classes will occasionally be offered weekly from 6:15 to 7:15 AM in a 9-month version for students who need to study at a slower pace.

  • Currently, we are only admitting between 12 and 24 students into CBI each year. Applications for the academic year open on June 1st.

  • CBI is not currently accredited. This is something we hope to pursue as the training center matures. However, our faculty includes former seminary professors and students who provide high-quality education for those desiring to be equipped for leadership in the local church.

  • Men and women study together to pursue Biblical Studies and Church Leadership Certificates. However, the Pastoral Ministry Certificate is only for men.

    God created men and women as unique yet complementary image-bearers. Men are called to lead, serve, and protect, and women are called to nurture, support, and minister under the loving care of biblical male leadership. Moreover, Scripture calls for biblically qualified men to pastor, preach, and shepherd the church of God.

    For the sake of God’s Kingdom, both men and women must embrace the beauty of their God-given distinctions and interrelatedness.

    Both are essential for the work of the ministry. Both must be equipped to serve together for God’s glory. Both must partner to evangelize the lost, disciple the saints, and reach the nations with the gospel.

CBI Is Taking Applications

Applications close on June 16, 2024.