Video: The Gospel Musician’s Invoice Causing Uproar On Social Media

Nigerian pastor and founder of Light Nation Church, Femi Lazarus, has sparked controversy after publicly revealing the financial demands of a gospel singer he intended to invite for a ministration.

Speaking in front of his congregation, the pastor projected an invoice from the minister, highlighting the high costs associated with bringing the artiste to perform.

“I want the media to project an invoice. I don’t know what to call it—of a music minister in Nigeria. This is the invoice.

“So, this is it. Let me read what is there. Minister will be accompanied with a minimum of 40 persons. They will all return the day after the event. All right, four members travel arrangements. Flight will be booked for both the outbound and return journeys.

“Artists will fly first class compulsory. Team will fly economy. Hotel reservation must be covered by the church. Executive suites for the minister, two executive rooms for the four members. Meal must be provided for minister and the accompanying person. Preference will be given to Nigerian cuisine.

“Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Honorarium, listen, $10,000. Model payment, a non-refundable 50% payment has to be made before we can have this event on our calendar. The balance of 50% must be made two days before the event. Thank you. May God bless you.”

Lazarus then went on to criticize the justification for such high fees, suggesting that artistes who charge these amounts feel the need to put on a dramatic performance to validate the payment.

“The mistake on that stuff is the word ‘honorarium’ used. Just tell them the price. And I said it, and I said it again. When they pay you this kind of money, you have to act drama to justify the amount paid. You roll on the floor, you scream, you shout, but those who know God know He’s not there.

“So now, this is the trick. Many charlatans like this don’t bill big pastors because they use big pastors for endorsement. People say things like, well, people like Nathaniel Bassey don’t charge because people already know their worth.

“Let me read for you what I wrote. It’s very simple. People all know there is honor that growth brings. There is the honor that God puts on you. You can’t demand for such without growing. Because he didn’t demand for it. God puts that honor. If you grow, He will put that honor.

“Demanding is you trying to attain what God confers on men.”

His statement quickly spread online, leading to intense debates on the role of money in gospel music.

Twitter user @THE_CRAFT3R questioned, “I don’t get it… So the gospel artist should come with his band without charging a dime? These are artists who have no other means of feeding their family. Funny enough, our gospel artists learnt this billing system by observing their own ministers inviting foreign gospel artists.”

@Olatu125 wrote, “How will Timi justify this now?” referring to gospel artist Timi Dakolo, who had previously defended musicians charging for ministrations.

@powerchibueze disagreed with Lazarus entirely, saying, “Omooo… I totally don’t support what Apostle Femi is broadcasting!!! A gospel musician charging you is normal and is supposed. Don’t bring personal consecration of an individual (gospel artiste) with God and compare it to another individual pls sir.”

Others felt the issue was overblown and that churches should focus on their own in-house singers. @TheOdin_II wrote, “Must you invite musicians? Train your choristers and encourage them to grow. Then use them for your ministrations.”

@Uyoyoghene_ echoed this view, stating, “I’m tired of this topic. God is still using His children that are choristers. Let every church stick to their choristers so we will have peace. If we don’t invite gospel musicians, the Holy Spirit will still do what He wants to do. Or is there a different anointing?”

Some referenced past comments from Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, who had criticized gospel artists for turning ministry into a business. @sire_sommy remarked, “Pastor Chris Oyakhilome wasn’t lying when he lamented how these gospel artists turned the ministry into a business.”

The debate also exposed deeper concerns about financial dealings within the church. @Oluwaterri1 challenged why pastors were not being scrutinized for their own ministry fees, saying, “Don’t these men of God have their own agreements when they go to minister with other churches? Why isn’t he speaking about that, abi this doesn’t apply to them? It’s only the gospel singers?”

@Templegaurd pointed out, “Let me tell you the truth, the way these pastors are handling this issue isn’t the right way. They will only worsen it. This is a ripple effect of prosperity doctrine. Now everybody is going in for the kill. They are not bothered if it’s about worship but money.”

Others defended the fees, stating that gospel music is also a career. @kinnsokoye asked, “Now show us the church account balance.” @Kingjb_official, a self-proclaimed gospel minister, sarcastically offered his services for free, saying, “Apostle Sir, I’m a Music Minister too sir. My own invoice is #0, in fact, I’ll take care of the logistics of my team and I don’t want any honorarium. Will you allow me to come and minister to the people of God?”

@Uyoyodude speculated that Lazarus was motivated by his financial connections, saying, “It’s because Pastor Chris supported him (Apostle Femi) financially to get a new place of worship, that’s why he decided to amplify what the highly distinguished Pastor Chris said. But did any Gospel Minister offend Femi? Did Femi not carry Jerry Eze’s Pianist?”

Pastor Femi Lazarus’ remarks have reignited a long-standing debate within the Nigerian Christian community about the commercialization of gospel ministry. While some agree that ministers should be compensated for their work, others argue that gospel music should not be treated as a business venture.

For now, the debate rages on, with no clear resolution in sight.

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