Vice presidents of Living Faith Church worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishops David Abioye and Thomas Aremu, who are due for retirement this month may be offered roles within the church’s structure, ChurchTimes reports.
News of their retirement broke on Thursday, sending shockwaves to many.
Aremu’s valedictory service will be held at the Living Faith Church, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, while Abioye’s farewell ceremony will take place in Durumi, Abuja on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Their retirement is in line with the operational guidelines of the Liberation Commission, also known as The Mandate, which serves as the church’s constitution.
According to The Mandate published in 2012, the retirement age, previously set at 60, has now been adjusted to 58.
While the church’s founder and president, Bishop David Oyedepo, retains the privilege of lifelong service, future leaders of the church will be limited to one or two seven-year terms, subject to approval by the board of trustees.
Oyedepo recently celebrated his 70th birthday.
Findings from Church Times indicate that the church has five potential roles available for Aremu, 67, and Abioye, 63, according to information in The Mandate.
- They could be assigned to a local assembly, not beyond a zonal church as resident pastors.
- They could be assigned oversight responsibility over a given location within or outside Nigeria.
- They could be appointed to serve in any of the church’s educational institutions or any department where they may choose to apply for such vacancies.
- They may also be appointed to serve in any of the departments in the headquarters where they have expertise.
- Also, they could be appointed revivalists or pastors in the Revival Mission Initiative Department.
These appointments, the online platform noted, require annual renewal.
