Bishop Oyedepo break silence on retirement of long-serving vice presidents

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), has responded to criticisms following the retirement of Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye.

The two senior clerics, who served for three and four decades respectively, are stepping down in accordance with the church’s revised operational guidelines.

During a sermon at Bishop Aremu’s valedictory service, Oyedepo explained that the church’s Administrative Policy of 1998 was reviewed in 2001, and The Mandate, which governs the ministry, was revised in 2024. The update lowered the retirement age from 60 to 55.

Although Oyedepo has the right to serve for life, future leaders will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to approval by the church’s Board of Trustees. Addressing critics, Oyedepo warned that those hoping for the ministry’s decline are wasting their time.

He emphasized the divine order of the church’s operations and the need for individuals to focus on their own affairs instead of questioning the ministry’s policies.

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 centre of his life, adding that taking a spiritual break is risky.

Quoting the Bible in Genesis 49:26, Bishop Oyedepo stated that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor.

He encouraged him 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.”

Oyedepo urged Aremu to remain connected for the continued flow of grace, advising him not to be distracted by baseless criticism.

Earlier in his address, Aremu stated that he had no intention of leaving Winners Chapel 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,” he said.

Aremu, a former accountant, transitioned into full-time ministry following a successful career in his field.

He Is distinguished as the last surviving bishop among the seven consecrated at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna in November 1999.

Meanwhile, Bishop Abioye’s farewell ceremony is set for Friday, 18th October 2024, at Durumi, Abuja.