Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, has responded to criticisms surrounding the retirement of two of the church’s vice presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye. The church has faced backlash on social media following the announcement that the two bishops, who have served for over three decades, would be stepping down.
In his sermon at a valedictory service for Bishop Aremu held at Winners Chapel, Orita Bashorun, on Tuesday, Oyedepo urged the public to refrain from questioning the church’s internal decisions. He explained that the retirement of the senior leaders is in line with the church’s operational guidelines, known as The Mandate, which serves as its constitution.
Oyedepo disclosed that the church’s Administrative Policy, first established in 1998, was revised in 2001, while The Mandate was updated again in 2024. Under the revised guidelines, the retirement age for senior officials has been lowered from 60 to 55, though Oyedepo himself retains the right to serve for life. Future leaders of the church will be limited to one or two terms of seven years, pending approval from the Board of Trustees.
In response to critics, Oyedepo 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 also took the opportunity to advise Bishop Aremu to keep God at the center of his life and warned against taking a “spiritual break,” which he described as dangerous.
Quoting Genesis 49:26, Oyedepo reminded the congregation that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a spiritual connection. He encouraged Aremu to remain focused on growth and ignore baseless criticism.
In his address, Aremu, who previously had a successful career as an accountant before joining the ministry, clarified that he has no plans to establish 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,” Aremu affirmed.
Bishop Aremu holds the distinction of being the last surviving bishop among the seven consecrated at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna in November 1999.
Meanwhile, the farewell ceremony for Bishop David Abioye is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, at Winners Chapel, Durumi, Abuja.
