Q: I am interested in getting married at Central.   What do I do?

We do perform weddings for couples who are willing to enter into Christian marriage.   There is a required pre-marriage counseling that is done either with a pastor or with other couples in a retreat format.   Pastors have complete discretion as to whether Central is the right place for the ceremony to be performed.   For more information regarding weddings, go the Downloads page and obtain the Wedding Policy document.   After that, contact the secretary, Marrietta Jordan to schedule a meeting with a pastor.   Most couples reserve the church at least six months in advance do to the time it takes for the counseling.

Q: What do you have for children and youth?

Answer: We feel that we have a very balanced program for children and for youth.   It begins with a Preschool that as been recognized for over forty years as one of Danville's finest schools.  This rich history reflects our values of placing the development of each child as our priority. On Sunday we have an excellent staffed nursery so that parents can worship without being interrupted.   We have a preschool department during worship where the children receive their lesson for the day.   Early elementary children  begin worship with the parents and then move to their own childrens' church.   We have many school teachers and educators in the congregation who take the Christian education of each child as an important task.   From September to April there is a Wednesday evening program called Wild Wacky Wednesday that includes a meal for the entire family and Christian education for the children. Youth, grades 6-12, are involveid n in the Youth Group where Chrisitan development is stressed more than numbers.   Usually about 25-30 attend each week on Sunday evenings.   In addition to the weekly meetings there are Mission Trips and camps in the summer.   The youth programs are all led by lay people who feel called to give their time to kids.   This lay leadership gives stability to the program.   For more info see Youth Group.

Q: Do I have to be a member to come to Central?

Answer: Absolutely not.   Every weekend we have many people who attend here for worship, a youth event, or for a class or group who are not members.   In fact, we encourage you to make sure that you agree with our core beliefs and our mission before you become a member.   Members are expected to participate in the entire life of the church by serviing and by growing in their walk with Christ so we hope that it is not taken lightly.

Q: How do I become a member?

Membership is entered into in two manners.   If you have been baptized in another church and want to transfer your membership to Central you may do so by responding to the invitation that is given each week during a worship service.   If you have not been  baptized, then you should attend an Alpha course after which you would be baptized at a time that is right for you.   Young people under age eighteen take the Discipleship class that is led by the pastor and then follow with baptism.

Q: What do you have to believe in order to be a member of Central?

To be received you must state, as Peter did in Matthew 15:16 that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God."   This is no small statement, nor should it be made without counting the cost of what it means to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord.   But this is the only biblical statement that we find concerning what is required for a person to believe in order to be a Christian.

Q: How do you get your pastors?

We have total control as a congregation concerning who is called to lead us.   We are part of a denomination (see Our Denomination) known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).   We rely on our Regional Office to help and assist in the calling of ordained pastors by serving in the management of potential applicants and for help in the process of interviewing and calling a pastor.   Pastors are free to relocate as they choose, yet we have a system of mutual respect and shared mission among our churches that encourages the building up of all.