Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has announced significant changes to the church’s longstanding marriage regulations.
Speaking at the 2025 Global Family and Marriage Conference, Pastor Kumuyi emphasized that church rules are administrative guidelines rather than divine commandments, urging members to differentiate between God’s unchanging laws and adaptable church practices.
Among the major reforms, Pastor Kumuyi abolished the church’s mandatory six-month courtship period, explaining that it was never rooted in scripture but was simply a practical guideline.
He noted that shorter courtship periods, such as three months, would not contradict biblical principles since the six-month timeframe itself is not biblical.
He also lifted the restriction that previously prevented women from visiting men they intended to marry, allowing couples to visit each other during courtship as long as they are accompanied by an elder.
On the role of marriage committees within the church, Pastor Kumuyi clarified that they exist solely to provide guidance and should not exercise authority beyond what God authorizes.
He emphasized that marriage committees are a part of church administration, not a biblical mandate.
These reforms mark a significant shift in Deeper Life’s marriage practices, reflecting a renewed focus on scriptural clarity and the separation of church traditions from divine laws.
