The founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo has defended his decision to accept the retirement of his two deputies.
Controversy trailed the announcement of the retirements of Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, who have served the ministry for 30 and 40 years, respectively. But Oyedepo has said the retirement of both men was done according to the amended regulations of the church.
The fiery preacher further explained that these retirements are 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.
Oyedepo gave the explanation during his sermon at the farewell service for Bishop Aremu, held yesterday at Winners Chapel in Orita Bashorun.
He stressed the need to adhere to established protocols, adding that the church’s Administrative Policy, first introduced in 1998, was comprehensively reviewed in 2001. The most recent update to The Mandate, made in 2024, reflects the church’s evolving leadership structure and sets the retirement age for church leaders at 55.
Bishop Aremu, encouraging him to keep God at the center of his life post-retirement. “Taking a spiritual break can be risky,” Oyedepo warned, advocating for a mindset focused on continuous growth and spiritual pursuit. “There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what truly matters is your pursuit of God,” he added, encouraging Aremu to remain connected to the ministry to maintain the flow of divine grace.
In his response, Bishop Aremu, who transitioned from a successful career in accounting to full-time ministry, reassured the congregation about his future plans. He emphasized his loyalty 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.”
Bishop David Abioye’s farewell ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, in Durumi, Abuja. Bishop Oyedepo noted that this will mark another significant transition for the church as it continues to navigate the complexities of pastoral leadership and community expectations.
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