Premarital FAQ

How far in advance should we start planning?
How can we get started?
What is the cost of the CBC premarital mentoring program?
Who are the premarital mentors?
Can we choose our own mentors?
What do we talk about at the mentoring sessions?
What should I expect from the whole premarital mentoring experience?
Can we have our wedding at CBC in the sanctuary or a smaller, more intimate space?
Can we have a CBC pastor marry us at a different location?
What if we are getting married before we could complete the four-six month mentoring program?
Can we be mentored and take the class even if we aren't members of CBC?

How far in advance should we start planning? | Top

Call as soon as you become engaged - ideally, at least six months in advance.

How can we get started? | Top

TAKE 8!
We know that those who take pre-marital counseling make a wise choice to help their marriage have a greater chance of success! With that in mind, we are encouraging couples to take at least eight hours of premarital teaching. Below are some options to choose from. MORE IS BETTER! Yet we know that with the busy schedules that our couples lead the recommended premium option is not always possible so we have provided the following options:

  • Premium: Mentoring and Class at CBC (16+10=26 hours of Pre-Marital counseling)
  • Excellent: Mentoring through CBC (16+ hours of couple-to-couple Pre-Marital counseling)
  • Good: Marriage Prep Class at CBC (10+ hours of Pre-Marital group work)

Good Alternatives:

  • Weekend To Remember (www.familylife.com/weekend) >8 hours
  • CBC Premarital Weekend (Friday night + Saturday morning group work with CBC leaders) 8 hours
  • Focus on the Family Simulcast offered at an area church. (www.focusonthefamily.com) 8 hours

To begin the premarital process:

  1. Register for premarital mentoring: Both the Bride and Groom must complete a questionnaire. To receive a questionnaire or for more information, please contact us at (210) 253-5971 or email us.
  2. Once you've completed your questionnaires, contact us for an appointment with a Pastoral Care Premarital Pastor. See a list of pastors here.
  3. Enroll in the Marriage Prep class and begin attending. Register for the Marriage Prep class here.

What is the cost of the CBC premarital mentoring program? | Top

The program cost is $100. This cost covers books, workbooks, and other counseling materials. Our premarital mentors are not paid; they have chosen premarital mentoring as a special ministry opportunity.

You may purchase the following curriculum for premarital mentoring at the CBC Bookstore.

  • 2 copies of Before You Say I Do or Before You Remarry
  • 1 copy of Is There Anything Wrong With Sex Before Marriage?
  • 2 copies of The Five Love Languages

Who are the premarital mentors? | Top

Your premarital mentors will be a married couple who has received special premarital training at CBC. These couples have been married for at least 15 years and exemplify Christ-centered marriages. They are open and honest about sharing their experiences in their own marriage. You will work with the same couple for the full duration of your premarital mentoring. Although they are specifically trained in the area of premarital mentoring, they are not professional, licensed counselors. They have chosen premarital mentoring as their ministry at Community Bible Church. One of the goals of the ministry is to provide all premarital couples an opportunity to establish a mentoring relationship with their mentoring couple, thus encouraging their present and future connection to their CBC family.

Can we choose our own mentors? | Top

No. We carefully match each engaged couple with mentors based on your life experiences, marital history, spiritual maturity, and personalities.

What do we talk about at the mentoring sessions? | Top

You will discuss many subjects throughout your time together. These subjects include allowing Christ to be at the center of your relationship; your marital roles and responsibilities; skills for communicating and resolving conflicts; realistic management of finances; your sexual relationship; your family of origin, and much more! Your relationship strengths will be discussed, as well as areas that need growth.

Although the program is designed to cover certain topics as you work through your workbooks, you will have the added benefit of your mentors who can share from their lives with you.

What should I expect from the whole premarital mentoring experience? | Top

You should expect to be challenged, strengthened, educated, and better prepared for your upcoming marriage. You will probably experience some laughter, some tears, and some pleasant surprises! You should leave your premarital counseling with some problem areas identified, some new marital skills learned, and a more realistic expectation of what marriage will be like.

Can we have our wedding at CBC in the sanctuary or a smaller, more intimate space? | Top

At this time we do not perform weddings at CBC due to the overwhelming occupancy of the building for all the LifeGroups.

Can we have a CBC pastor marry us at a different location? | Top

Sure, as long as you have completed the mentoring program and the pastor has agreed to marry you at the alternate location.

What if we are getting married before we could complete the four-six month mentoring program? | Top

The purpose of CBC's premarital ministry is to give you and your future spouse the best foundation possible before you marry. It encourages discussion between the two of you on topics you may not have considered before. This takes time. In order to get married by one of the CBC pastors, you must have the premarital program completed prior to your wedding day.

Can we be mentored and take the class even if we aren't members of CBC? | Top

Yes. The class is open to any engaged couple that wants to enroll. Couple-to-couple premarital mentoring is available to all members and regular attendees of CBC.

May God richly bless you individually and as a couple as you make this exciting journey together!