Lead pastor of Light Nation Church, Apostle Femi Lazarus, has criticised gospel singers who charge exorbitant amounts to minister in churches.
During a recent sermon, Lazarus displayed what he claimed was an invoice from a gospel artiste, stating that the singer required a $10,000 honorarium with a non-refundable 50% deposit, a first-class flight ticket, and accommodations in an executive suite.
The invoice also allegedly stipulated that the singer would be accompanied by a minimum of 40 people, all of whom would return the day after the event, with their expenses covered by the church.
Details like economy seats for the entourage and first-class seats for the musicians were included in the document. The artiste also insisted on staying in an executive suite at a five-star hotel, while his four main male aides were to be accommodated in a separate executive suite. Additionally, the church was required to provide three square meals, catering to the crew’s preference for regional cuisines.
Pastor Lazarus condemned the demands, stating, “Those who know God know He’s not with ministers like this. Many charlatans don’t bill big pastors; they use them for endorsements. You can’t demand such things without growing.”
The claims have sparked reactions online.
One user wrote, “Pastor Femi Lazarus is shedding light on a growing concern in the Nigerian gospel music scene. Worship should be about genuine connection with God, but for some, it has become a business transaction. While musicians deserve to be paid for their craft, there’s a fine line between ministry and commercial performance.”
Another user questioned, “Who even started these things… inviting people to come and sing? Where did you all learn it from in the first place? Is it in the Bible? Or you guys want to use it for personal reasons? I am trying to understand.”
A third person commented, “As someone who used to play for a popular gospel artiste, I can tell you this is true, and most churches lose members because their friends’ churches invited a bigger artiste… LET’S DIG IN.”
The debate over gospel artistes charging for ministration is not new. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy, has previously spoken on the matter, emphasizing that true gospel ministers should not see their work as a money-making venture.
Speaking at a church event, he said, “If you are a gospel singer and you charge to minister, you are not different from secular artistes. If you were truly called, you would know that ministry is service, not a business. The church is not an event center.”
