Congratulations on your engagement! At IBC we are committed to helping couples develop thriving, long-lasting marriages that honor God. To help you prepare for a lifetime together, we've developed a dynamic premarital mentoring program.
- What is the format?
The premarriage mentoring process at Irving Bible Church involves you and your fiancée being paired with either a pastor or an experienced mentor couple.
- What curriculum is used?
Together you will go through a hybrid of the Prepare Enrich curriculum as well as the Getting Ready for Marriagebook and workbook called by Jim Burns. The curriculum is faith-based (Christian, non-denominational), and covers fundamental topics such as personal story, family story, communication, conflict, finance, sexuality, spirituality, and relationship expectations.
- How long is the process?
Depending on the schedule you work out with the pastor or mentor couple (you meet at the time and location of your choosing), you usually meet for 8-10 sessions for 60 to 90 minutes each session in-person. From start to finish, the whole process usually takes about 5 months, with 3-4 of those months being meeting with the pastor or mentor couple.
- What is the cost?
The cost for the process is $90 per couple, payable to IBC, which includes the cost of both the Prepare Enrich assessment as well as the book and workbook.
- What do we get upon completion?
Besides the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve laid an important foundation for your upcoming marriage :) , after completing the mentoring process (which is recognized by the state of Texas), you get a certificate of completion. If you take the certificate to the courthouse when you get your marriage license, it gives you a $60 discount and waives the 72-hour waiting period.
- Do we need to attend IBC to register?
No, you do not. However, couples attending IBC are given priority when scheduling.
- When should we register?
Please register at least 5-6 months prior to you wedding date to allow sufficient time to complete the mentoring process.
- What’s next?
If this mentoring process sounds like a good fit for you, the next step is to register. The registration form requires individual responses from both the Bride and the Groom. Please make sure you both are available to complete the form in full. Payment is not due at this time.