Founder of Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel,Bishop David Oyedepo, has addressed growing criticisms surrounding the recent retirement of two senior pastors within the church.
According to The PUNCH, the criticism followed the announcement of the retirement of Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, both of whom have served for over three decades in the ministry.
The decision sparked a wave of social media discussions, but Oyedepo, in a sermon during the valedictory service held for Bishop Aremu at the Winners Chapel branch in Orita Bashorun on Tuesday, called on critics to refrain from questioning the church’s internal decisions.
Explaining the rationale behind the retirement, Oyedepo highlighted that the move was consistent with the church’s operational framework known as ‘The Mandate’, which serves as the church’s guiding constitution.
He revealed that the church’s ‘Administrative Policy’ first established in 1998 was reviewed in 2001, and ‘The Mandate’ itself underwent revisions in 2012, with another update in 2024.
One significant change in the revised ‘Mandate’ was the adjustment of the retirement age for pastors from 60 to 55 years.
In his sermon, Oyedepo underscored the fact that the church operates under divine guidance and that external opinions were irrelevant to how the ministry conducts its affairs.
He added that the revised ‘Mandate’ also stipulates that future church leaders will only be allowed to serve for one or two terms of seven years, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. Notably, Oyedepo retains the right to serve for life as the Founder.
The cleric further issued a stern warning to those who might be hoping for the downfall of the ministry, stressing that such individuals are wasting their lives.
“My advice to commentators is to study to be quiet and mind your business,” Oyedepo said. “It is wisdom to learn what is working and find out what makes it work. Everything works here.”
Oyedepo also gave a word of encouragement to Bishop Aremu, advising him to remain spiritually grounded and to avoid taking any form of spiritual break.
He quoted Genesis 49:26 to emphasize that inheritance does not come from a teacher or pastor, urging Aremu to stay focused on God and avoid distractions from critics.
“There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your pursuit of God,” he told him, adding that staying connected is key to maintaining the flow of grace.
In his own address, Bishop Aremu clarified that he had no intentions of establishing his own church after retirement.
He expressed his deep loyalty to the Winners Chapel, 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 began his career as an accountant before transitioning into full-time ministry, stands as the last remaining bishop among the seven who were consecrated by Oyedepo at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna in November 1999.
Bishop David Abioye, who is set to retire as well, will have his farewell ceremony at the Winners Chapel branch in Durumi, Abuja, on Friday, 18th October 2024.
Both bishops are regarded as pillars within the church, having played significant roles in its growth over the past decades.
