The Influence of Christian Wedding Ceremony on Christian Marriage Stability Among Couples in the Methodist Church, Nairobi Synod, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of Christian wedding ceremony on Christian Marriage Stability Among Couples in the Methodist Church, Nairobi Synod, Kenya. The study adopted a mixed-method design targeting married couples in the Synod. Using purposive sampling, 194 respondents were drawn from 17 Circuits (population 4,010). Data was collected through questionnaires and interview guides via the Open Data Kit platform, capturing both quantitative and qualitative insights. Piloting ensured validity and reliability. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and regression methods, while qualitative data underwent thematic and content analysis. Findings were presented through percentages, frequencies, tables, and thematic summaries, adhering to ethical guidelines.   The study found that Christian wedding ceremonies have a strong positive impact on marriage stability among Methodist Church couples in Nairobi Synod (correlation coefficient r = 0.758). For every increase in Christian wedding ceremony practices, marriage stability increases by 0.301 units, and this relationship is statistically significant (p < 0.000). Christian wedding ceremonies represent foundational elements in establishing and maintaining marital stability within the Nairobi Synod context. The research conclusively demonstrates that formal Christian wedding rituals create essential frameworks of communal accountability that significantly reduce the risk of marital dissolution. The ceremonial aspects of Christian weddings establish multiple layers of commitment through sacred vows, community witnessing, and ecclesiastical sanctioning. These elements work synergistically to create social bonds that extend beyond the immediate couple to encompass the broader Christian community. The study recommends that the Churches within the Nairobi Synod may benefit from establishing formal guidelines that systematically provide clear frameworks for integrating traditional practices within Christian theological contexts while maintaining doctrinal integrity. The guidelines might address practical considerations such as ceremonial procedures and the role of church leadership in facilitating cultural-religious integration.