Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has announced significant changes to the church’s marriage regulations during the 2025 Global Family and Marriage Conference. He clarified that these rules are administrative guidelines rather than scriptural mandates.
Kumuyi stated that the previous prohibition on women visiting men they intended to marry has been lifted. Intending couples are now allowed to visit each other during courtship, provided they are accompanied by an elder.
Additionally, the previously mandated six-month courtship period is no longer compulsory. Kumuyi emphasized that this duration was a human arrangement, not derived from biblical teachings. He noted, “Six months is all right, but it’s not something inflexible. If we change it to three months, we’re not changing the Bible.”
The pastor urged church members to distinguish between divine commandments and church traditions, warning against treating human regulations as absolute. He reinforced that the marriage committees established by the church are meant to provide guidance, not to replace biblical authority.
Kumuyi’s modifications reflect an ongoing review of church practices, aimed at aligning them more closely with scriptural teachings while ensuring they serve the needs of the congregation.
