Lead with service, not lordship, Oyedepo tells ministers

2026-03-15 - 06:48

By Olayinka Latona The Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has urged ministers, business leaders and youths to embrace servanthood as the true pathway to greatness, stressing that leadership in God’s kingdom must be rooted in service rather than authority. Oyedepo gave the charge while addressing thousands of participants from across the globe at “The Shift” Conference, convened by Dr. Akin Akinpelu, Lead Pastor of Eden Centre, at the National Theatre in Lagos. Speaking on the topic, “Towards the Emerging of Giants from the Covenant Platform of Servanthood,” the cleric emphasised that leaders are called to serve rather than dominate. “Leaders are not called to be lords but to be servants. God does not reward founders but fruitful and effective labourers. Choose to serve—only true servants emerge as true leaders,” he said. Oyedepo urged ministers to remain focused on their divine assignments and avoid comparing themselves with others, warning that such tendencies could derail their purpose. “Be an example to the flock. Don’t compare yourself to another. Run your life according to the dictates of God, stay in your calling and do what God asked you to do. Let God be the one leading you,” he said. The cleric also reminded believers that the Christian journey is one of continuous transformation. “We live in the kingdom of shift. It implies moving from one realm of glory to another. Because we have been redeemed, believers carry the gene of the Almighty God. Allow the scriptures to shape the way you think because mentality defines destiny,” he added. Warning against impatience in ministry and leadership, Oyedepo cautioned participants about what he described as the “plague of hurry-hurry,” which he said often leads to failure. Drawing from his personal experience, he revealed that his ministry began with just four members, encouraging leaders not to despise humble beginnings. “Giants do not rise overnight but over time. Beware of high-mindedness. If you get things hastily, in the end you may regret it. An inheritance hastily gotten leads to destruction. No baby is ever born an adult. Don’t ever try to have an adult ministry at the beginning,” he said. He further urged ministers to remain committed to biblical principles and not abandon established spiritual foundations, stressing that there is “no old-fashioned truth” in the kingdom of God. Earlier, the convener of the conference, Dr. Akin Akinpelu, described the gathering as more than a conference, calling it a prophetic convergence for spiritual alignment and renewal. According to him, the event also featured the unveiling of his book titled “The Agenda,” which he described as a working document for leaders committed to building with divine wisdom. “The next generation of leaders needs more than motivation; they need direction, depth and a sense of belonging,” Akinpelu said, expressing gratitude for Oyedepo’s presence and describing him as a spiritual authority shaped by decades of dedicated service. Participants at the conference also described the gathering as impactful and inspiring. Pastor Damilola Oluwatoyinbo, Lead Pastor of Kingdom Influencers in Nations, Generations and Systems (KINGS), said the event offered valuable wisdom and direction for emerging leaders. “Seeing a father in the faith who has been walking this path for more than five decades gives us hope. It is a blessing to receive wisdom, correction and inspiration,” he said. The Shift conference was designed to strengthen spiritual fathers and visionary leaders, provide fresh direction for the Church and the nation, and align pastors and kingdom-driven business leaders with their divine mandate across various spheres of influence.