Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), has advised detractors not to dispute the church’s decisions about pastor retirement.
The cleric came under fire on social media after it was revealed last week that his two vice presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, would be retiring after three and four decades in the ministry, respectively.
It was learnt that their retirement is in accordance with the church’s operational standards, also known as the mandate, which serves as its constitution.
During his lecture at Bishop Aremu’s valedictory service at Winners Chapel in Orita Bashorun on Tuesday, Oyedepo emphasised the significance of focusing on one’s personal concerns.
He revealed that the church’s Administrative Policy of 1998 was reviewed in 2001, and the Mandate of 2012 was rewritten in 2024, emphasising that the ministry follows divine order.
The amended mandate reduced the retirement age from 60 to 55.
While the Founder, Oyedepo, has the authority to serve indefinitely, future church leaders will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.
The bishop, on the other hand, warned those who wanted to bring down the ministry 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 exhorted Bishop Aremu to maintain God at the core of his life, noting that taking a spiritual break is perilous.
Quoting the Bible in Genesis 49:26, Oyedepo mentioned that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor.
He encouraged him to keep a growth perspective, stating, “There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your pursuit of God.” Oyedepo asked Aremu to stay connected for the continuing flow of grace, cautioning him not to be distracted by unfounded criticism.
Earlier in his talk, Aremu declared that he had 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.
Aremu, a former accountant, switched to full-time ministry after a successful career in his sector.
He is the only living bishop of the seven who were consecrated at Kaduna’s Garden of Faith in November 1999.
Meanwhile, Bishop Abioye’s leaving ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, in Durumi, Abuja.
