The lead pastor of Light Nation Church, Femi Lazarus, the lead pastor of Light Nation Church has reacted to an alleged leaked invoice from a gospel singer demanding $10,000 to perform at a church event.
The controversy began after Femi Lazarus openly criticized gospel singers for charging high fees to minister in churches leading to several backlash online. In a viral video, he recalled how a singer once asked for N5 million to perform for his congregation.
However, during a church service, the cleric showed the congregations an invoice allegedly sent by a gospel singer to a church as a precondition for being invited.
The invoice listed a $10,000 honorarium, with $5,000 as a non-refundable deposit, along with hotel accommodation travel first class airfare, executive suite hotel rooms, and other conditions.
He said, “The mistake they made is to use the work honorarium, just tell them the price”
The Invoice was initially leaked by a Christian influencer on X @Spiricoco Twitter following the debate around gospel singers charging performance fees.
@Spiricoco wrote “Let’s address this issue of gospel ‘music ministers’ charging churches money for ministrations. This invoice was allegedly sent to a church by a gospel ‘music minister’ as a precondition for being invited. Should music ministers do this?”
Let’s address this issue of gospel ‘music ministers’ charging churches money for ministrations.
This invoice was allegedly sent to a church by a gospel ‘music minister’ as a precondition for being invited.
It involves a $10k charge with $5k non-refundable. Should music… https://t.co/FUDhTQlkXm pic.twitter.com/K8NYT3QeZG
— Spiricoco Twittter (@SpiricocoNg) March 17, 2025
Popular Nigerian soul singer, Timi Dakolo has defended gospel artists arguing that gospel music is both a ministry and a profession, and musicians should be fairly compensated for their work.
“Their craft requires financial investment. It is beyond spirituality; it is also a career,” Dakolo stated.
The debate continues, with many Nigerians sharing their opinions on whether gospel artists should charge for singing in churches.
While some support Dakolo’s view that music is a profession, others agree with Pastor Lazarus that ministry should not be commercialized.
