Faq

How will I know if 21st Century Christian received my order?

Once you have placed your online order, you will receive a copy of the submitted order via email. Once the order has been processed, you will receive an Order Status email that will contain updated information regarding product availability, pricing, shipping, tax-exempt status, etc. If there are any problems with your order that we need your help to resolve, we will contact you by phone. If we cannot reach you right away, we will contact you by email.

How do I check on the status of my order?

To check the status of your order, you can call us at 1-800-251-2477 during our regular business hours (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM CST Mon-Thu, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Fri, excluding holidays), and one of our Customer Service Representatives will assist you. You can also email us with your inquiry at anytime, day or night.

What if I forget my Order Number?

That’s okay. We can look up your order through a variety of methods, including your email address, customer number, customer name, zip code, products, etc.

How long will it take to process and ship my order, and how will I know when it is shipped?

Orders received by 12:00 Noon (CST) that do not have any issues that need to be resolved and all items on the order are in stock usually ship out that same afternoon. Orders received after 12:00 Noon (CST) may still ship that same afternoon, but usually ship the next business day. Processing times vary for products that are shipped directly from the publisher/manufacturer.

Orders are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, but allowances are made for special rush situations. Should you need your order delivered by a specific date, you can indicate that in the Additional Instructions when you submit your order, and we will make every effort to fulfill your needs. If for some reason we are unable to comply with such a request because of product availability or other issues, one of our Customer Service Representatives will call you immediately.

How will I know when my order will be delivered?

Once your order is shipped, we will send you an Order Status email, which will include information on which items were shipped, if any were backordered, the date the package was shipped, and any available tracking information. The actual delivery date and time vary according to shipment method used. See our DELIVERY section below for further information. You can also call us at 1-800-251-2477 if you need further details regarding the delivery status of your order. We cannot determine exact delivery time, but we can tell you if it has been shipped, and whether there are any problems with your order that have been reported to us.

How long does it take to fill a backordered item?

Obtaining a backordered (out-of-stock or non-stocked item) depends primarily on the publisher of the product. For items that are in print, this usually takes two to four weeks, but with some publishers, this can take longer. Sometimes, only when attempting to fill an order for a customer do we find that the desired item is no longer available because the publisher let it go out-of-print. Whenever your backorder is filled or discovered to be unavailable, we will send you an Order Status email with the updated information.

Why is sales tax added to my order?

21st Century Christian charges sales tax on orders based on the billing and shipping addresses in accordance with Tennessee state and local tax laws. We are required to charge sales tax based on the tax laws of the state of Tennessee for orders delivered to or billed to addresses within Tennessee. If you are a tax-exempt organization, such as a church, you can indicate this on the billing information screen when you place your order. However, we must be able to confirm this by having your tax-exempt ID number on file.

State law specifies that a tax-exempt purchase must be paid for with checks or credit cards of the exempt organization. If you are a resident of Tennessee and you make a purchase from 21st Century Christian for your church or any other tax-emempt organization using your personal credit card or check, regardless of where the merchandise is delivered or how it is used, you are required by state law to pay state and local sales tax on your purchase.  Even if you will be reimbursed by the tax-exempt organization, if you use your personal credit card, personal check, or any other personal funds to pay for the order, your order is subject to state sales tax.

How is sales tax calculated?

21st Century Christian charges sales tax in accordance with Tennessee state and local tax laws for shipment destinations with the state. Your shopping cart only shows the estimated sales tax. After your order is processed and shipped, an email confirmation will be sent with the order total – including the verified sales tax.

What methods of payment does 21st Century Christian accept?

You can pay for your order using American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa credit cards or you can charge your order to an established 21st Century Christian Charge Account (church, school, etc.). We ensure your credit card information is 100% safe and secure.

In our store, we will also accept cash or checks at the register.

What if I forgot my Customer Account Number?

You can call us at 1-800-251-2477 or email us with your request, and once we have verified your authorization, one of our Customer Service Representatives can look up your account information for you.

Can I send an order to someone as a gift, and make sure that the price does not show up on the packing slip?

Absolutely. Our packing slips do not include pricing information. Detailed information on pricing, shipping charges, sales tax, and your order total will only be emailed to the email address you supply in your order. For orders billed to a Customer Account, a receipt/invoice will also be sent to the billing address/email after the order is shipped.

How do I use my POs for ordering?

If you normally use Purchase Orders when placing your orders, you can either set up a revolving credit account with us or use a major credit card — American Express, Mastercard, VISA, or Discover — to pay for your order. Purchase Order numbers can be entered at the Billing Information screen when you place your order. Please note that the Purchase Order number is for your records only. It will be referenced on your packing slip to make your record keeping easier.

Can I add or delete items from my order if I change my mind?

Orders are received and processed regularly throughout the day so that they may be shipped out as quickly as possible.

If you want to change your order, please let us know as soon as possible. We will check the status of your order and attempt to make the necessary changes. If your order has already been processed for shipping, we will not be able to make changes, and it will ship “as is.” If that is the case and you would like to place an additional order, please contact customer service at 1-800-251-2477.

If you cannot call us, please send us an email, and we will attempt to make the necessary adjustments as noted above.

How will I know whether my order has been approved for credit and shipped?

When you place your order on the Internet, your credit card is “pre-authorized” by the card processor, which places a reserve for the total amount of the order on your card. Once your order is actually shipped from our warehouse, the final order total is converted to an actual charge to your card from the pre-authorized amount. If the actual shipping or sales tax amounts are less than the initial estimate, the savings will be passed on to you at the time your card is actually charged.

What do I do if I want to cancel my order?

Call us right away at 1-800-251-2477, or send us an email. Orders are processed as quickly as possible, so we may not be able to cancel your order. If your order is past the cancellation point, contact customer service at 1-800-251-2477.

Please refer to our RETURNS section below for more information.

What happens if there are issues with my order?

If there are any issues with your order, you will be contacted by a Customer Service Representative.

How do I get in touch with 21st Century Christian if I have a problem with my order?

Please call us at 1-800-251-2477, or send us an email if you need assistance with your order.

How will I know if 21st Century Christian received my order?

Once you have placed your online order, you will receive a copy of the submitted order via email. Once the order has shipped, you will receive an Order Status email that will contain updated information regarding product availability, pricing, shipping, etc. If there are any problems with your order that we need your help to resolve, we will contact you by phone. If we cannot reach you right away, we will contact you by email.

 

Does the online catalog have the same selection as the one I have sent to me in the mail?

Our online catalog is actually a database containing thousands of items from scores of publishers and other vendors. Many are included in our annual printed catalog you receive in the mail, though at the same time, there are some products in the printed edition that are not in the online catalog. Feel free to call us at 1-800-251-2477 if you are interested in any items that you do not see in the online catalog, and one of our Customer Service Representatives will be glad to assist you in selecting products.

How do I sign up for a 21st Century Christian catalog and other direct mailings?

To order your 21st Century Christian catalog, call us toll free at 1-800-251-2477, or email us with your name and the address where you would like the catalog shipped.

How do I unsubscribe or remove myself from receiving 21st Century Christian catalogs or other direct mailings?

You can request to be removed from our catalog and mailing lists by following any of these steps:

  • Call us toll free at 1-800-251-2477
  • Write to us at:

21st Century Christian Inc
Customer Service Dept
4108 Hillsboro Pike Ste 200
Nashville, TN 37215-2701

  • Fax your name and address (with your instructions to be removed on it) to us at 615-292-5983
  • Send an email to our Customer Service Department

How can I check on my order’s delivery status?

Once your order is shipped, an Order Status will be emailed to you. This will include tracking information about each package that was shipped.

Do I have to wait at my home or office all day for my delivery?

To help ensure delivery, it is best to have someone available to sign for your order. Depending on the shipment method and the delivery route, this usually means between the hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, M-F, excluding holidays. Sometimes, even Saturday delivery is possible. Delivery routes for the U.S. Postal Service or UPS can change from day-to-day, so there is no way to determine the exact time your order will be delivered. The driver will decide whether or not to leave the order unattended. If the delivery is unsuccessful, your order will be returned to the local delivery center, and another attempt will be made. Usually, if a carrier is unable to make a delivery after three attempts, the package(s) will be returned to 21st Century Christian with indications as such, at which time we will contact you about a possible alternative.

When can I expect my order to be delivered?

Once an order is shipped from our Nashville location, delivery time is primarily dependent upon the method of shipment and the destination. See our Shipping Methods and Delivery Times below for further information.

What can I do if I want to place an order for delivery outside the continental United States?

Orders shipped to military addresses outside the continental U.S. are delivered via the U.S. Postal Service. Non-continental states and territories as well as Canadian addresses can be shipped U.S. Postal Service and sometimes UPS. All other destinations are shipped First Class International, Priority Mail International, or Express Mail International.

For some countries, delivery of a package cannot be guaranteed because there is a high risk that it will be intercepted. In such cases, we will notify you of this risk and suggest possible alternatives before shipping your package.

Shipping Methods and Delivery Times

The following table gives approximate delivery times once a package leaves our facility:

Shipping Method

UPS Ground
USPS Media Mail
USPS Priority Mail
UPS 2nd Day
UPS Next Day
First Class/Priority Mail International
Express Mail International

Delivery Time

1-6 business days
3-14 business days
2-5 business days
2 business days
Next Business Day
usually 10-14 days
usually 5-8 days

What if my shipment is lost?

If your order has not arrived in the estimated delivery time of the carrier, please contact our Customer Service department. We will attempt to track your package to determine its status. Shipping services from the US Postal Service (USPS) tend to be less reliable, therefore orders instructed to be shipped via USPS methods carry a greater risk for the customer. If we determine it is necessary, a replacement order will be attempted, but limitations because of product availability and additional expenses to the customer are possible. We will make every reasonable effort to satisfy you, our most valued customer.

What if I want to pick up my order at your store?

You can certainly do that! During your order checkout, simply select the I’ll pick it up myself option. You will then be able to select the date and time you intend to pick up the materials. Orders to be picked up at our facility require a minimum two-hour advance notice. Orders placed after 3:00pm (CST) will be processed the following business day. Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee in-stock availability of materials that we do not publish.

Because we feel that we offer the highest quality products with the best service, inspecting and packing all of our orders with care, we think you’ll be extremely satisfied with your purchases. However, there are times when items are damaged, defective, or incorrectly shipped. If this is the case for you, we’ll gladly replace them.

You must call, write, or email for permission to return materials.

Any defective, incorrect, or damaged item may be returned within 30 days of the shipping date. We will gladly ship a replacement and reimburse you for your return postage.

Any item with which you are not satisfied (not as expected, arrived too late, wrong size, etc.), if returned within 30 days of the shipping date and received in clean, salable condition, will be issued an exchange or refund of merchandise cost only.

Except for starter/review kits, Vacation Bible School materials are not subject to return for credit unless they are defective.

Food items, such as communion bread and pre-filled communion cups, are not eligible for returns.  However, defective items may be eligible for replacement.

Imprinted items may NOT be returned for replacement or refund, unless the imprint or item is defective.

Computer software, videos, CDs, cassettes, DVDs or other media may only be returned for refunds if UNOPENED. If opened, they may be returned only for replacement with the same item.

Special orders are NOT returnable unless defective.

Refunds are applied to the form of payment (credit card or account charge) used to complete the original purchase.

Any return that does not comply with the above policy will be subject to a significant restocking fee, at our discretion.

SHIP YOUR RETURN PREPAID TO:

21st Century Christian Inc
ATTN Returns Department
4108 Hillsboro Pike Ste 200
Nashville, TN 37215-2701

When returning items, please give your account number, date of order, and reason for desired return, and enclose it with your return. We recommend insuring your return.

How long will it take to get an order replaced?

If you return an item to 21st Century Christian, please allow one to three weeks for your return to be received and processed. If you are expecting a return shipment, please allow two to four weeks for the new package to arrive at your address. For more information, please feel free to email our Customer Service Department, or call us toll free at 1-800-251-2477 during regular business hours. International callers, please call (615) 383-3842.

I would like to visit your store. Where is it located?

We are located at 4108 Hillsboro Pike in Nashville, Tennessee. Here is a  map of our location.

When is your store open?

Our store is open during the following times for walk-in customers:

Monday — Thursday 8:30 to 4:30 CST
Friday 8:30 to 4:00 CST
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED

Our Customer Service hours are:

Monday — Friday 8:00 to 5:00 CST

21st Century Christian is closed on the following holidays:

New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving (Thu & Fri), Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Who do I contact if I am having problems with your web site?

Please let us know what kinds of problems you are having. Call us at 1-800-251-2477, or send us an email providing us with a complete description. We will attempt to answer your questions and/or forward anything we can’t resolve to the Webmaster.

How do I establish a revolving credit account for my church, school, or other organization?

You must submit a credit application  to the 21st Century Christian Accounts Receivable Department for approval. You can do this through any of the following methods:

  • Call our Accounts Receivable Department toll free at 1-800-251-2477, and request a credit application.
  • Write to us at:
    21st Century Christian Inc
    Accounts Receivable Dept
    4108 Hillsboro Pike Ste 200
    Nashville, TN 37215-2701
  • Fax a request for a credit application form to us at 615-292-5983
  • Email us with your name and address to receive a credit application form by mail
  • Download the form

What if I forgot my Customer Account Number?

You can call us at 1-800-251-2477 or email us with your request, and once we have verified your authorization, one of our Customer Service Representatives can look up your account information for you.

If I have more than one address to which I send orders, do I have to have a Customer Account Number for each of the locations?

Just one Customer Billing Account is all that is required to process your orders wherever they are shipped. Even if your billing address information changes, it is not necessary to set up a different account; we can simply update your existing one. Whenever you place an order with us, simply supply us with the shipping information for that order. Subsequent orders can have different shipping information, but still be billed to the same billing address you used before.

We also have several paperless billing options  available to you as well.

We are a tax-exempt organization in Tennessee. How can we set up our 21st Century Christian Account with a tax-exempt status?

In accordance with Tennessee state and local tax laws, we need a copy of your Tennessee Department of Revenue Certificate of Exemption. This should have your tax-exempt ID printed on it for our records. You may submit a copy of this document by following either of these steps:

  • Mail it to us at:
    21st Century Christian Inc
    Accounts Receivable Dept
    4108 Hillsboro Pike Ste 200
    Nashville, TN 37215-2701
  • Fax your document to us at 615-292-5983

I order Bible School curriculum for my church or school. Can I do that online?

Absolutely. All the curriculum materials we publish are available under the Bible Studies shopping category on our home page.  Each series is grouped under its own category.  Within each series category, you will find all of the products arranged by age level, and you can find details about each item, view sample pages, and drop them right into your shopping bag for ordering.

For even faster ordering, switch to the Table View mode when you are viewing the list of products for a selected curriculum-quarter. In Table View mode, you can quickly enter the quantities of all the items from all the age levels you need, then add them all to your shopping bag in one step.

While you are in the Bible Studies shopping category, you will see curriculum materials from other publishers that are available to order from us as well.  For all other curriculums, simply call us at 1-800-251-2477, and one of our Customer Service Representatives will be happy to assist you with your order.

If I need to order materials from more than one of your curriculums or if I want to order both curriculum and non-curriculum items, do I need to place separate orders?

Only if you need different parts of your order to be shipped to different addresses is it necessary to place separate orders.  Sometimes it is necessary for us to separate your order into two or more orders due to special shipping rates, product availability, etc.  When we do that, you will receive separate Order Status emails as the orders are processed.

I bought an Immerse in His Word Resource Pack for my class. How do I access the downloadable files?

We recently converted the Immerse in His Word audio tracks and printable files in the Resource Pack (ages Preschool – Preteen). Those files were once on a CD-ROM, but they are now downloadable files that can be accessed online. To access these files, please visit http://Lesson-DL.com, and enter the access code found on the back of the insert in your Resource Pack.

I bought a LifeLINKS to God Creative Teaching Aid for my my class. How do I access the downloadable files?

We recently converted the LifeLINKS to God audio tracks and printable files in the Creative Teaching Aid (ages Preschool – Preteen). Those files were once on a CD-ROM, but they are now downloadable files that can be accessed online. To access these files, please visit http://Lesson-DL.com, and enter the access code found on the back of the insert in your Creative Teaching Aid.

How do I submit a manuscript for publishing consideration?

21st Century Christian is the leading publisher of Bible school curriculum materials for a cappella churches of Christ, which consists of more than 1 million members in the United States in almost 12,000 congregations. All our published authors share this heritage.

The vast majority of our publications can be used as a classroom Bible study for either children or adults. We publish little in the inspirational field, children’s books, or Christian fiction.

If you meet the criteria above and would like to submit a manuscript for our consideration, here’s the process:

  1. Submit a brief bio, including family information, religious training or preaching/teaching engagements, other works that you’ve had published, any online writings (including blogs), social media accounts, and current church involvement.
  2. You may submit three or four sample chapters and a table of contents for the entire work in Microsoft Word format.
  3. This information can be submitted to editorial@21stcc.com
  4. Include your contact information.
  5. Be patient! This is sometimes a slow process, but we will respond as soon as possible.

Of the hundreds of manuscripts we receive each year, we select four to six to add to our publication list. The market is highly competitive, and we must be selective in our choices. Please understand that a decline on our part does not necessarily mean that your work is inferior; it may simply not fit our niche in the marketplace.

Why do you carry books by THAT author?

21st Century Christian is both a publishing company and a retailer of Christian materials that has been serving the needs of thousands of churches, ministers, Bible class teachers, and Christian families since 1938. This web site and the annual printed catalog feature materials from many bookstores and suppliers. ENDORSEMENTS OR THE PRESENCE OF A CERTAIN BOOK OR ITEM IN THIS WEB SITE, THE ANNUAL CATALOGS OR OUR RETAIL STORE SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A GUARANTEE OF THE ACCURACY OF THE DOCTRINE OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT. Only the text of the Bible can be recommended without reservation — all else is subject to human error. Still, our intent is to put together a good and useful selection of Bibles, books and supplies to aid you, our valued customer.

Why do you ask for my e-mail address? Will you rent it out?

Email allows us to serve our customers better by getting information out quickly and efficiently. However, we understand that some people are sensitive about giving out their address because they are afraid of receiving intrusive email, or “spam.” Well, we aren’t “spam” fans either, and we will not rent or send your email address to anyone without your permission. However, we would like to send you emails featuring information about special offers from time to time. If you would prefer not to receive this type of email from us, simply send us an email to let us know. We will be happy to remove you from our list. For more information on email privacy at 21st Century Christian, please consult our Privacy Policy.

Why do you ask for my phone number when I order?

As with email addresses, we know that some folks are hesitant to divulge their telephone number over the World Wide Web, but we care about your privacy. We assure you that we will only use your telephone number to verify information about your order or to update you on any potential problems. Your local package carrier may also use the information to contact you if they are having trouble delivering your order. We absolutely will not rent out your phone number or make it public information. If you would like more information on this issue, please consult our Privacy Policy.

My phone number is unlisted; do I have to give it to you?

We require a phone number for all orders placed at 21st Century Christian to allow us to contact our customers quickly in the event that there’s a problem with their order. Please let us assure you that we will only use your telephone number to verify information about your order and to update you on potential problems with fulfilling your order. We will not rent out your phone number under any circumstances. For more information on this issue, please consult our Privacy Policy.

What can I do to protect my security and confidentiality?

We are committed to protecting the security and confidentiality of your information. We will never request your credit card information unless you are placing an order (online, by phone, fax or mail). Because thieves have been known to create copycat websites with names similar to reputable sites to lure folks into divulging their personal information, we urge you to make sure that you typed the correct website address before entering your information online.