A Guarded Shepherd: Pastor Adeboye Explains The Why – Female Secretary Boundary Decision

In a rare and candid explanation, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the revered General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has revealed the reasoning behind his long-standing personal policy of not employing female secretaries. Addressing congregants at the Redemption Camp, Adeboye clarified that his decision, which followed his relocation to the church’s campground, was rooted in proactive personal discipline rather than gender discrimination. He emphasized the demanding nature of his pastoral duties, which often required working late into the night, and stated he needed to establish firm boundaries to safeguard his integrity. “I know myself,” he asserted, reflecting on his life before his faith. “I know the possibility of dangers, being left alone at night with the opposite sex.”

Despite the professional separation, Pastor Adeboye was careful to clarify that his decision was not a reflection on the competence or character of the female secretary he let go. He warmly described the former employee as a committed believer who “loves the Lord genuinely,” separating his high personal regard for her from the strict administrative principle he felt compelled to implement for himself. His explanation frames the choice as a deeply personal, preemptive measure—a voluntary limitation on his own conduct to avoid any situation that could lead to temptation or compromise, underscoring the extreme caution he exercises in his leadership role.