Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo replies to Apostle Femi Lazarus of Light Nation Church, Abuja, over criticism of gospel musicians charging for church shows.
Apostle Lazarus, in a viral video, expressed disappointment over the high fees some gospel artists demand. He revealed that a gospel singer requested $10,000 to perform at a church event. The Apostle also shared an invoice, allegedly from the artist, which included requests for a 40-person escort, first-class flight tickets, and an executive suite. He condemned such demands, calling them excessive and inappropriate for gospel ministry.
Timi Dakolo fires back
Dakolo, however, did not take the claims lightly. He challenged the Apostle to name the singer instead of making generalized accusations. He also dismissed the claim that any artist travels with a 40-member team.
In a series of Instagram posts, Dakolo addressed the issue directly. He pointed out that Apoatle Lazarus himself charges fees for his School of Ministry. He argued that if charging for music ministry makes gospel artists mere performers, then charging for teaching and preaching makes pastors motivational speakers and merchants of hope.
Questioning double standards
“Sir, you charge as low as $150 per person for your School of Ministry,” Dakolo wrote. “If you have 1,000 students, that’s a significant amount. You even have different pricing tiers for God’s house?”
The singer, who describes himself as a Christian raised in church, questioned the fairness of the pastor’s stance. He insisted that if gospel musicians should not charge for their performances, then preachers should not charge for their teachings.
Dakolo emphasized that his statements were made “with love and respect,” but urged the pastor to stop shifting the argument. He asked whether the pastor was also guilty of selling the gospel, as he accused musicians of doing.
Mixed reactions from the public
The debate has sparked discussions among Nigerians, with many weighing in on the issue of charging fees for ministry. Some agree with Pastor Lazarus, arguing that gospel music should be purely for worship, while others side with Dakolo, stating that gospel artists, like preachers, deserve to be compensated for their work.
Many social media users pointed out that professional musicians, including gospel artists, invest in their craft, hire teams, and incur expenses while ministering. Others countered that true worship should not have a price tag.
The bigger debate: Money in religious spaces
This conversation highlights the ongoing debate about money in religious spaces. Should gospel artists and preachers charge for their services? Does financial compensation undermine the spiritual essence of ministry? These questions remain at the center of a broader discussion on faith, commerce, and fairness in the church.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the relationship between money and ministry will always be a topic of controversy.
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