Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), has urged critics to desist from questioning the church’s decisions regarding the retirement of its pastors.
This comes after social media reactions surfaced last week following reports that Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, two of his vice presidents, would be retiring after serving for three and four decades in ministry, respectively.
Their retirement aligns with the church’s operational guidelines, known as The Mandate, which functions as the church’s constitution.
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Addressing the issue during his sermon at Bishop Aremu’s valedictory service at Winners Chapel, Orita Bashorun, on Tuesday, Oyedepo emphasized the importance of minding one’s business.
He disclosed that the church’s Administrative Policy, established in 1998, was revised in 2001, and The Mandate, first introduced in 2012, was updated again in 2024, affirming that the ministry operates under divine guidance.
The revised Mandate lowered the retirement age from 60 to 55. While Oyedepo himself holds the right to serve for life, future leaders of the church will be limited to one or two terms of seven years, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
The Bishop also cautioned those wishing ill on the ministry, stating they were only wasting their own “lives.”
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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 urged Bishop Aremu to keep God at the center of his life, warning that taking a spiritual break could be dangerous.
Citing Genesis 49:26, Bishop Oyedepo emphasized that no one can claim an inheritance from a teacher or pastor.
He encouraged Aremu to maintain a growth-oriented mindset, saying, “There is no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what truly matters is your pursuit of God.”
Oyedepo also advised Aremu to stay connected for continued grace and not be swayed by unfounded criticism.
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