Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), has addressed critics questioning the church’s decision to retire two of its senior leaders.
The controversy arose after reports surfaced that Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, both longtime servants of the ministry, would be retiring. Aremu has served for three decades, while Abioye has dedicated four decades to the church.
Speaking during Bishop Aremu’s valedictory service at Winners Chapel, Orita Bashorun, on Tuesday, Oyedepo emphasised that the decision aligns with the church’s operational guidelines, known as ‘The Mandate’, which functions as its constitution.
He explained that the church’s administrative policy, established in 1998, was revised in 2001, and The Mandate was again updated in 2024. One of the key changes in the revised guidelines is the adjustment of the retirement age from 60 to 55.
While Oyedepo retains the right to serve for life as the church’s founder, future leaders will be limited to serving one or two terms of seven years, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.
In his sermon, Oyedepo advised critics to focus on their own lives instead of meddling in the church’s internal affairs.
“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 said.
He encouraged Bishop Aremu to keep God at the center of his life, warning that taking a spiritual break is risky. Drawing from Genesis 49:26, Oyedepo reminded the congregation that no one inherits from a teacher or pastor and urged Aremu to continue pursuing growth in his spiritual journey.
Aremu, in response, affirmed his commitment to the church, stating that he has no intention of establishing his own ministry 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,” Aremu declared.
As the last surviving bishop among those consecrated in 1999 at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna, Aremu’s transition marks a significant moment for the church. Bishop Abioye’s farewell service is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, at Winners Chapel in Durumi, Abuja.
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