Bishop David Oyedepo has responded to backlash over Winners Chapel’s pastoral retirement policy, defending the church’s decision to retire long-serving leaders like Bishops Aremu and Abioye. He urged critics to “mind their business,” explaining that the policy is part of the church’s evolving leadership strategy, aiming to ensure dynamism and sustainability.
Founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, has firmly defended the church’s decision to retire long-serving pastors, following recent public criticisms. The retirements of Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye, who dedicated 30 and 40 years, respectively, to the ministry, sparked heated debates across social media.
Speaking during a farewell service for Bishop Aremu at the Winners Chapel in Orita Bashorun, Oyedepo set the record straight, emphasizing that the church’s pastoral retirement policy aligns with its operational guidelines, also known as The Mandate. This governing document was first introduced in 1998, revised in 2001, and updated again in 2024 to establish a retirement age for church leaders at 55 years.
Oyedepo made it clear that the policy encourages fresh leadership while preserving the church’s core values. He further stated that future church leaders will serve limited terms of seven years, subject to approval from the Board of Trustees. However, Oyedepo himself retains the right to serve indefinitely, as he continues to provide spiritual guidance to the congregation.
Addressing critics directly, Oyedepo remarked, “My advice to commentators is to study to be quiet and mind your own business. It is wise to learn from what works and understand how it functions. Everything thrives here.”
This statement came after intense backlash over the retirements of these veteran leaders. However, Oyedepo insists that these measures are necessary for the church’s growth and progress, and urged people not to judge the internal affairs of the ministry.
In his farewell message to Bishop Aremu, Oyedepo encouraged him to maintain his spiritual focus and avoid complacency post-retirement. “There is no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your continuous pursuit of God,” Oyedepo advised.
In response, Bishop Aremu reassured the congregation of his unwavering loyalty to Winners Chapel. “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 declared, reaffirming his commitment to the ministry.
As the church prepares for another farewell ceremony for Bishop David Abioye on October 18, 2024, in Abuja, Oyedepo noted that this transition marks a significant step in the church’s continued evolution and commitment to strong leadership.
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