Gospel Music: Should churches pay artistes for performances?

Answers: When Gospel artistes sing in church and at church concerts, are they evangelizing or plying their trade? Should they demand to be paid or render their services for free as ministering for God?

The Gospel genre of music brims with talents, potentials and opportunities but many of them are often ignored. The Church from time immemorial, has been the place where talents are discovered and made.

Many secular artistes, like the Gospel artistes, discovered their gift in church, where they learnt how to sing and play musical instruments from being members of the church choir.

Since church musicians or gospel artistes sing or minister for or to God, the argument has always been, whether they should be paid for the services rendered. This has sharply divided clerics and artistes.

Gospel singer Daisy Ejang recently took to Facebook her frustration about the whole perception that clerics and event organizers have, not to pay them anything but transport to the set event location.

“It always disturbs me why some event organizers take gospel artists for a ride. Yet we invest a fortune in our music careers, someone wants to hire you for as little as transport money (10k-20k). I don’t see any slight excuse why you’d offer peanuts to Daisy Ejang, and give exorbitant amounts to the secular artists. Small money is a reason we’ve had many talented gospel artists swaying away from the church to the other side of the world, secular,” she stated

While a great number of clerics believe that Gospel artistes should not charge fees since it is the work of God that they are doing, Gospel musicians argue that a lot of time goes into composing songs, shooting videos and rehearsals for performances to be perfected and like pastors who are paid to preach in some climes, they deserve to be paid commensurately, as well.

“As a lady who got saved at a very tender age, through my music; I want to win those souls for the almighty. I want to heal. I want to give hope. I want to express my undying love for the creator. But also, I want that money (Haha, truth spoken). How shall we get those nice Videos when the payment is little? How shall we minister?” Daisy wondered

Daniel, popularly referred to as Mr Gospel, says, “How many Gospel artistes really promote their work? How many see the media and PR as a medium of promotion? Many don’t understand music, they don’t put their interest in music and where they can multiply their talent; a lot of Gospel hits are not managed. I have been telling some of them for years to start their own marketing channels and invest in people but it is this same disposition that it is God’s work and He will (come down to) promote his work, forgetting that music, like other disciplines, also has a business part to it.”

Famous author steven campbell in his January 29, 2013 article ‘Peddling the Word of God for Profit’ says Ministry is defined as service to God and His creatures as we employ our Spirit-given giftedness, according to the instruction of Scripture as good stewards of the manifold grace of God for the advancement of His kingdom; that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

He says the Scriptures forbid charging for ministry (worship, preaching and teaching of God’s Word, evangelism, fellowship of the church, psalms/hymns or spiritual songs, discipleship, etc. in any circumstance or situation. “It is that black and white,”

“All genuine ministry for the Lord cannot have an advanced price tag to pay before the ministry is given. Why? Because then it is no longer ministry, but commerce, employ, trade or entertainment.”

He says that, biblically, genuine ministry should be supported through the cheerful, faithful giving of God’s people, “Aren’t you glad that the Lord didn’t charge any of us to hear about the good news of the gospel unto salvation? Aren’t you glad that the Holy Spirit doesn’t charge any of us for the spiritual gifts He gives to the church?”

marvin@ugchristiannews.com