Timi Dakolo, the singer, has reacted to comments by Femi Lazarus, lead pastor of Light Nation Church in Abuja, regarding the commercialisation of gospel music.
In a video circulating on social media, Lazarus criticised the high fees some gospel musicians charge to perform in church.
“Many of the worship meetings in Nigeria have become performances. Somebody has charged N5 million to come here to sing. You will be amazed at the ruthlessness at which ministers charge,” the clergyman said.
Reacting via Instagram, Dakolo argued that musicians should not be expected to perform for free, adding that many choir members struggle financially.
The singer also called out churches for “underpaying” gospel artistes but are “willing to pay international acts much more”.
“First off, I am not a gospel musician. I am a Christian that does music. I have been in choir for years, seen it all. Singing your heart and trekking home,” Dakolo said.
“Everybody tasking each other to go home. Yet you people invite foreign artiste and pay them in dollars and fly them and their whole crew down. Best hotels and logistics.
“Now that the people have learn and understood their value, gaslighting has started. Many choir members struggle to feed and have a decent place to sleep. Many can’t afford choir uniforms.
“Gospel musicians are definitely not the problem. They are not one’s building schools and charging fees their members can’t pay.
“If you invite Don Moen, you can’t even think of giving him N5 million. We like to undervalue our own. Treat them small. What’s with the mentality of fly but not so high? You people should stop.
“As much as music and worship is spiritual. It is art too, the chord progression, the synchronization, harmony and sweet melody is art. Took years of practice to learn and that is what you are paying for. Value.
“The music ministry is not a lesser ministry than another. Value people and their craft, even inside church no be everybody dey collect the same salary. If you divide money for choir members instead of guest, dem go sing their heart out.”
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Pastor Femi Lazarus referred to gospel artist and not secular musician. Gospel singers expresses God’s word accompanied with melodies while secular singers sings wordly, not specifically religious.
I start by saying, as reaching out to the people in God’s word is a calling so is singing in the gathering of believers a calling.
1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV
[9] God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
After being regenerated and received salvation, you begin to disciple others, you become eager to win souls for Christ. God will sustain you and bless you miraculously, not until you charge to doing God’s work.
I put it to you that not all upcoming and popular gospel musicians charge to minister in churches. Those that have truly received power after the holy spirit came upon them are willing to be a witness to change the course of how things are done in this present generation.
Many singers now sing strange songs in the Lord’s house, they sing the requirement of the world and not of the holy spirit.
If you are called to declare the work of God as a gospel singer, bless the people with your ministration then get a job, it would be an error to monetize the gift of God in your life.
Only those that have encountered the holy spirit and those that are willing to accept the truth of the gospel will align with these words.
Matthew 10:7-8 KJVAAE
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
https://bible.com/bible/546/mat.10.7-8.KJVAAE