- Social media users reacted to an unknown gospel minister's alleged outrageous event fees, which included a $10,000 honorarium and luxury accommodations
- The controversy has raised questions about the commercialisation of gospel music and the role of ministers within the Christian community
- TheRadar compiled some reactions on the controversy that highlights the blurry lines between performers and genuine music ministers
A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) has ignited controversy over the alleged exorbitant fees charged by an unidentified gospel minister for a church event.
The post, shared by @ThePChris on Tuesday, March 4, detailed the minister’s alleged demands including; a first-class flights for the minister and economy-class flights for four accompanying personnel, luxury accommodations, including an executive suite for the minister and two executive rooms for the personnel, a $10,000 honorarium, with 50 percent paid upfront (non-refundable) and the balance paid two days before the event.
@thePChris posted with a caption that read,
“See What a Gospel Music Minister Allegedly charged a church. My brother @HarrisonD_YHWH must blow for this industry o.”
He went on to recall times when he ministered without expecting payment and expressed shock at how the gospel music industry has evolved.
He stated,
“We don collect Pure water and 2 doughnuts honorarium before😃 "God bless you sir, we enjoyed God in your life" honorarium. But $10,000 charge for 30 mins ministration?
I Celebrate Grace!”
The post has sparked widespread reactions, with many questioning the legitimacy of such hefty charges for a gospel event.
@Ayo_Akinloye expressed disappointment:
“This genuinely broke my heart. A "Gospel minister" wants to charge $10,000 to lead God's people in songs, and a church will pay that.
“Whereas we have missionaries who lack funding needed to take the Gospel to the unreached.
Judgement will indeed begin in God's house.”
@Soulmedika took a nuanced stance, acknowledging that gospel ministers deserve payment but questioning the approach,
“I honestly don’t have problem with a gospel minister asking for whatever money they deem fit, but why the deception?
“You call it honorarium, yet there is a price on it and more so, 50% must be paid prior. We have mixed sanctimony and corrupted the body with our deceptions!
“….Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?””
Luke 18:8b NKJV.”
Another user, @David_Obinga questioned the alleged non-refundabl clause,
“What does 'non-refundable fee' mean? So if you can't come we should dash you the $5000?”
Others have taken a humorous stance, poking fun at the minister's demands.
@Akinwerndey joked, “
Ahn ahn... Minister Kendrick Lamar no dey expensive. See nice and fair requirements 😂.”
@iamebukadavid added;
“THANK you and may God bless you” Thank you but God will not bless you oh. You have already blessed yourself.”
@Jemce_ commented:
“It’s looking like I will change career😂😂😂.”
Netizens weigh in on gospel singers' alleged demands
Here are some reactions:
@chang_dasage stated, “This is not the gospel of Jesus. These one are mere entrepreneurs doing showbiz.
@D_unvailedbride posted: “If you're a minister and doing this, I'm sorry but you're not working in service to God, but to your pocket. Mammon is your God, and I pray God helps you to see this soon, before His coming.”
@Okikioluwa15 stated, “There's a major problem with it ooo. And this right here is. The gospel is not to be merchandised.”
@Salvy_yinks posted, “Singing is not a spiritual gift, it's just a talent. When it comes to gift for the ministry - singing is not on the list. Maybe if saints read their Bible and understood then we'll stop placing so much importance to the talent of singing.”
@Musicfarm01 posted: “They don't charge but they collect honorarium.... Let's be deceiving ourselves. No instrumentalists will play if all these are for free….”
@evudencebyme posted: “Labourer is worthy of his wages. If you cannot pay him. Let him sit in his house , those that can afford let them pay him. I believe the church should spend more money developing their choir and praise team. But the noise is not necessary.” .
@prettydoc_ commented “What is the person coming to do with 40 persons sef?....anyways all na business..remove money from the equation 99.5 % of pastors and gospel singers go disappear....I don't even know who get 0.5 sef.”
@mojeehsola commented: “They should state as 50% down-payment, not hide under the cover of honorarium. May God deliver his church and guide them aright.”
@Sam_Mbanu said: “10k dollars!!! Omorr, money dey this industry oh.”
@pastordtruthojo commented: “What is more annoying is that, they labeled the Payment as honorarium 😂😂😂.”
@IWillbecandid commented: “Wetin dey even muse me na the First class (compulsory).
God will keep his Church.”
@Thompson_Praise commented: “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Philippians 3:18-19.”
@Okikioluwa15 commented: “You really shouldn't have blurred the name. Even if they are people's faves, it's best they see the rubbish that they honour. Omo. I no even blame people wey think say church na scam business..”
“Pay gospel artistes”: Netizens defend Moses Bliss for allegedly charging N7 million per performance
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerians defended gospel singer Moses Bliss, who came under fire on social media for allegedly charging N7 million as a performance fee.
While some dragged the gospel singer for not ministering for a lower price, others defended him, claiming he has bills to pay like secular artistes.