Popular Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has taken to social media to challenge Pastor Femi Lazarus for allegedly charging $150 per person for his ministry school, despite the cleric’s recent criticism of gospel musicians who charge fees for their performances.
Dakolo’s response comes after a viral sermon by Pastor Lazarus, the lead pastor of Light Nation Church, where he condemned a popular Nigerian gospel artist for setting high financial demands for a ministration.
In the now widely circulated video, Lazarus revealed that the unnamed musician requested at least $10,000 to perform at a gospel event. While he concealed the artist’s identity, his remarks sparked debate on the commercialization of gospel music.
Reacting to the sermon, Dakolo called out what he sees as a double standard, questioning why pastors can charge for ministry-related services while gospel musicians are criticized for doing the same.
“All this was said in love and with respect, sir. I am not a gospel artist but a Christian raised in church. Let’s not shift the goalpost. By your definition, if anyone charges to minister, they are not gospel artists but performers,” Dakolo wrote.
He further compared the situation to preachers who charge for teaching and ministering, arguing that by the same logic, they should also be labeled “merchants of hope, motivational speakers, and performers.”
“Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus, possibly with as many as 1,000 students.
“Let’s do the math. You even have premium and standard tiers for God’s house? Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goalpost,” Dakolo added.
