Pastor Femi Lazarus criticizes gospel artists charging $10,000 for church ministrations

Pastor Femi Lazarus remains vocal in his opposition to gospel artists charging for church performances.

In a recent online sermon, the well-known Abuja-based pastor Femi Lazarus disclosed that gospel musicians can charge as much as $10,000 to perform in church.

PASTOR LAZARUS EXPOSES MINISTERS

He referenced a document commonly known as a “Rider” in the music industry, which revealed that the anonymous gospel artist required an entourage of 40 people, all of whom needed to be accommodated.

The document specified that the musicians would need a first-class seat, while their entourage would be placed in economy class.

Additionally, the artist requested an executive suite in a five-star hotel, with his four main male assistants also needing separate executive accommodations.

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The church was expected to provide three meals a day for the musicians and their crew, who preferred local dishes.

Pastor Lazarus expressed his shock at the honorarium outlined in the document, which stipulated a fee of $10,000, with a non-refundable 50% due upfront and the remaining balance required two days before the event.

His remarks are part of a broader critique of gospel musicians who demand payment before performing in church. He believes this practice is inappropriate and undermines the value of a gift that should be freely given by God.

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Pastor Lazarus emphasized that paying gospel artists to perform in church can lead them to be overly performative in order to justify their substantial fees. He also highlighted the honor associated with not charging for church performances, a principle upheld by some gospel artists like Nathaniel Bassey.

Timi Dakolo’s Reaction

Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has reacted to remarks made by Apostle Femi Lazarus, the lead pastor of Light Nation Church, who criticized gospel artists for demanding excessive fees to perform at church events.

He wrote on Instagram:

My dear Christains, a quote/conversation can sound intelligent and deep yet untrue. Just like everyone else. You deserve the very best things life has to offer. You should be paid what you deserve. Studio session, production and promotion cost a lot. You have a family to feed, you have rent to pay.
You have more songs to put out. We should stop all these attack on people’s work. As much as it is spiritual, music is an art. If you can’t pay people, Use your choir members and pay the amount you could have given the guest artist. I doubt the second part.

WHAT’S THE WAY OUT

The singer suggested that churches invest significant sums in architecture, event promotions, and pastoral activities, raising the question of why musicians are frequently expected to provide their services without compensation. He continued:

This gaslighting has to stop, Gospel ministers want good things too, they are not beggars, the best of architects are called upon to build big churches, and large sums of money are disbursed for promoting big programs and all. No one should diminish another person’s ministry, Ministry needs music and music needs ministry.

It takes at least 10 years and chains of hours to be an elite musician. Develop your Musicians and singers in your church and pay them well. Leave all these belittling alone. None of these people say they will fly economy and travel alone to save money for the ministry that invites them to preach. All this was said in love.