Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), has called on critics to refrain from questioning the church’s decisions regarding the retirement of its pastors. This comes after reports surfaced last week that Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, two of Oyedepo’s vice presidents, would retire after serving for three and four decades in the ministry, respectively.
The retirements are in line with the church’s constitution, known as The Mandate, which outlines operational guidelines. Speaking during a valedictory service for Bishop Aremu at Winners Chapel in Orita Bashorun on Tuesday, Oyedepo emphasized that the church’s policies are divinely ordered and have evolved over time.
He revealed that the church’s Administrative Policy from 1998 was reviewed in 2001, and The Mandate of 2012 was revised in 2024, which lowered the retirement age for pastors from 60 to 55. However, Oyedepo retains the right to serve for life, while future church leaders will be limited to one or two terms of seven years, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.
Addressing critics, Oyedepo 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 also encouraged Bishop Aremu to keep his focus on God, warning that taking a spiritual break is risky. “There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your pursuit of God,” Oyedepo added, urging Aremu to remain connected to the church to continue receiving grace.
In response, Bishop Aremu dismissed speculation about starting his own church, stating, “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.”
Aremu, who transitioned from accounting to full-time ministry, is the last surviving bishop among the seven consecrated at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna in 1999. Meanwhile, the farewell ceremony for Bishop Abioye is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, in Durumi, Abuja.
