The founder of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) Bishop David Oyedepo, has asked critics and outsiders to respect the church’s internal processes and decision-making when it comes to the retirement of its pastors. In his statement, He implored people to refrain from questioning the motives or procedures of the church with regards to the retirement of its clergy members.
The criticism of Bishop Oyedepo arose in the aftermath of news reports that his two vice presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, would be stepping down from their positions after dedicating three and four decades of their lives to the church’s ministry.
The announcement sparked a heated debate on social media, with many questioning the motives behind the retirements and expressing concern over the future direction of the church.
According to report, the retirements of Bishops Aremu and Abioye were in accordance with the established protocols of the Living Faith Church, as outlined in its governing document, ‘The Mandate.’ The Mandate, which serves as a guiding constitution for the church, has laid out specific guidelines for the retirement of its senior clergy, which the two bishops reportedly followed.
In his sermon at the farewell service honoring Bishop Aremu, held at Winners Chapel in Orita Bashorun on Tuesday, Bishop Oyedepo emphasized the importance of individuals minding their own business and refraining from passing judgment on the affairs of others.
Oyedepo revealed that the church’s governing documents, namely the Administrative Policy of 1998 and The Mandate of 2012, have undergone revisions in 2001 and 2024 respectively, in order to ensure that the ministry remains true to its spiritual foundations and divine guidance.
In accordance with the 2024 revision of The Mandate, the retirement age for future leaders of the Living Faith Church has been lowered from 60 to 55, with the exception of Bishop Oyedepo who has the privilege of serving for life.
The bishop however issued a stark warning to those who would seek to undermine the integrity and mission of the Living Faith Church, stating that their efforts were futile and amounted to a squandering of 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.”
In offering counsel to Bishop Aremu, Bishop Oyedepo emphasized the importance of maintaining a devout spiritual life, even in retirement. He warned his fellow clergyman against the potential pitfalls of spiritual complacency, stating that taking a break from a focused spiritual practice can be detrimental to one’s well-being.
In his message, Bishop Oyedepo cited a biblical passage, Genesis 49:26, which states that “a teacher or pastor does not inherit his position,” to underscore the idea that no one is entitled to a position of spiritual leadership or influence.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a constant mindset of spiritual growth, stating that “there is no such thing as the best today or tomorrow.” Instead, he urged his colleague to prioritize his pursuit of God, reminding him that true greatness lies not in achievements or accolades, but in one’s faithfulness to God’s call and to the mission of the Living Faith Church.
Bishop Aremu earlier in his speech had reassured the congregation of his unwavering commitment to the Living Faith Church, declaring that he had no intention of founding 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,” he said.
Bishop Aremu’s path to ministry was rooted in a successful career as an accountant, from which he transitioned to become a full-time clergyman. In 1999, he was among seven bishops consecrated in a historic ceremony at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna, a momentous occasion in the history of the Living Faith Church.
Meanwhile Bishop Abioye’s valedictory service is scheduled to take place on Friday, 18th October 2024, at the Living Faith Church in Durumi, Abuja.
