October 16, 2024
The Founder and presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned those criticising the church’s decision to retire some long-serving leaders to mind their business.
Social media have recently been awash with criticism over Bishop Oyedepo retirement of his two Vice Presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye.
However, Oyedepo had in his response strongly defended the church’s policy on pastoral retirements.
He explained that these retirements were in line with the church’s operational guidelines, known as “The Mandate,” which serves as its governing constitution. He urged critics to focus on their own affairs rather than questioning the internal decisions of the church.
Bishop Oyedepo who spoke at Bishop Aremu’s farewell ceremony at Winners Chapel in Orita Bashorun on Tuesday, emphasised that the ministry functions in accordance with divine decree, revealing that the church’s Administrative Policy of 1998 was reviewed in 2001 and The Mandate of 2012 was amended in 2024.
The revised Mandate has adjusted the retirement age from 60 to 58.
Accordingly, he advised commentators 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.”
Quoting the Bible in Genesis 49:26, Bishop Oyedepo stated that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor.
He encouraged Bishop Aremu to maintain a mindset focused on growth, saying, “There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your pursuit of God.”
In his remarks, Aremu, reassured the congregation about his future intentions.
He reiterated his commitment to Winners Chapel, saying, “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.”
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Two Vice Presidents of Living Faith Church Worldwide popularly known as Winners Chapel Bishops David Abioye and Thomas Aremu will retire this October 2024
Aremu’s farewell service as scheduled held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the Living Faith Church in Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State while Abioye farewell ceremony will hold on Friday, October 18 in Durumi, Abuja.
Abioye first met founder of the church, Bishop David Oyedepo in 1979 and has been an integral personnel in the ministry since inception.
He was one of the original pastors, leading one of the first five branches established in 1987.
His consecration in 1993 at the Garden of Faith in Barnawa, Kaduna, made him the youngest bishop in the church’s history at 32.
Aremu left a career in accounting for full-time ministry, has also significantly contributing to the church’s growth.
Among the seven bishops consecrated in November 1999 at the Garden of Faith, he is the only one still serving. His dedicated service has garnered immense respect within the congregation.
While Oyedepo retains the option for lifelong service, future church leaders will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to Board of Trustees approval.
The event marks a significant moment for Living Faith Church, as it will be the first public celebration of the retirement of its pastors.
