Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), has called on critics to stop questioning the church’s decisions regarding the retirement of its pastors.
This comes after social media criticism surfaced last week following reports that two of his vice presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, were set to retire after three and four decades of service, respectively.
Their retirement is in accordance with the church’s operational guidelines, known as The Mandate, which serves as its constitution.
During his sermon at the valedictory service for Bishop Aremu at Winners Chapel, Orita Bashorun, on Tuesday, Oyedepo emphasized the need for individuals to focus on their own matters.
He explained that the church’s Administrative Policy of 1998 was updated in 2001, and The Mandate, originally issued in 2012, was revised in 2024. He noted that the ministry operates by divine guidance, and the updated Mandate now sets the retirement age at 55, down from 60.
While Oyedepo himself retains the right to serve for life, future church leaders will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
The Bishop also cautioned those wishing for the ministry’s downfall, stating that they were wasting their “lives.”
He said, “My advice to commentators is to study to be quiet and mind your business. It is wisdom to learn what is working and find out what makes it work. Everything works here.”
He urged Bishop Aremu to keep God at the centre of his life, adding that taking a spiritual break is risky.
Quoting the Bible in Genesis 49:26, Bishop Oyedepo stated that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor.
He encouraged Aremu to adopt a growth-oriented mindset, stating, “There’s no such thing as being the best today or tomorrow; what truly matters is your pursuit of God.”
Oyedepo urged Aremu to stay connected for a continued flow of grace and advised him not to let unfounded criticism distract him.
Earlier in his remarks, Aremu emphasized that he has no plans to leave Winners Chapel to start his own church after retirement.
“I don’t have a church, and I cannot have a church because God has not infused me with the capacity to do so. This is my church,” he said.
Bishop Thomas Aremu, a former accountant who transitioned into full-time ministry after a successful career in his profession, holds the distinction of being the last surviving bishop among the seven consecrated at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna in November 1999.
Meanwhile, the farewell ceremony for Bishop David Abioye is scheduled for Friday, 18th October 2024, at the church’s Durumi branch in Abuja.