The founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and Presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo has issued a stern warning to church owners and pastors, urging them to refrain from relying on guest ministers to grow their congregations.
Speaking during a recent sermon, Oyedepo emphasised that no thriving church owes its success to external ministers, but rather to the consistent efforts of its leadership and the quality of its teachings.
“You are wasting your life if you think guest ministers will grow your church. No standing church grew by the input of guest ministers. We only share fellowship with one another,” he stated.
Comparing church to the worldly business, Oyedepo noted, “Your special guest in a restaurant does not promote your sales. It is the quality of what you supply that does. Stop hosting these merchants; you are only adding to their sales.”
Oyedepo highlighted his experience, stating that in a year when 50,000 souls were saved in his church, 45,000 came through his preaching.
He pointed to notable church leaders, like David Yonggi Cho of South Korea, who led their congregations for years without relying on external speakers stating, “If you don’t stop them, they will keep polluting the field. Inviting them is not scriptural or biblical.”
The bishop also took a firm stand against the practice of charging fees for ministry services.
He expressed concern about ministers who engage in this practice, reminding them that Jesus never charged for his ministry. “If you are part of charging people, be careful, or you will be discharged before you know it,” he cautioned.
Oyedepo revealed that despite the high cost of running a personal aircraft, he has never charged any church for his services, whether in large or small congregations reiterating, “I have been flying since 1996, and I go to the tightest church and the biggest church at no charge.”
In closing, Oyedepo urged pastors to distance themselves from the commercialization of ministry, warning that those focused on money-making would not leave a lasting impact. “If you want to make a mark in this end time, turn your back on this money-making syndrome,” he concluded.
The bishop’s message comes as a call for renewed commitment to selfless ministry, focusing on the core values of faith, dedication, and service to God without the distraction of financial gain.
