The money-conscious music ministers debate

[Minyi]

The body of Christ in Nigeria is currently in a debate over the issue of gospel singers who charge exorbitant fees to minister in a Church programme.

A respected pastor while berating such mercantilism, dismissed music minister or minstrel as an office that doesn’t exist.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Lisa Greene]

Who are we to judge? The Bible says, don't be deceived, for God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man doeth, he will reap.
Also God says, a man's talent maketh way for him. They charging a lot means they feel that's what their talent and presence worth. We don't expect them to do it free but neither should they make Christ given talent a means of extortion. Music ministry shouldn't be dismissed. It's should be a vital part of the body of Christ. Even the heavenly court has music ministers

 

[Henry Dennisk]

They make very good music....inspiring and heart-lifting. But if those music ministers are not careful, they may offend God while they are trying to please Him.

The devil DOES NOT put all his cards on the table at once. he deals his card very slowly. In very tiny bits until you don't notice that he is leading you outside of God's will.

We know that those ministers need money to at least settle some things like their transportation, service their equipments and even settle their crew. But hey, when God sends you, He makes provision for that errand.

The ministers should concentrate on serving God through their ministry. Too much dwelling on thoughts of charging money will undoubtedly remove the presence of God from whatever service they are rendering. And it gradually becomes about the money they are making and no longer about just serving God.

This is how the devil deceives.

We had old time music ministers who never gave a thought about getting paid to minister. They never had over sophisticated musical equipments and yet they took the church to realms of glory with their songs.

So why is it different now?
Why is it now a debate whether they should be paid or not?

It is simply because the money has gradually become a motivating factor in that ministry.

Singers are preachers!
They minister to the soul with the anointed word in songs. I dare say it's a travesty to put a prize tag on that divine mandate.

If the people you ministered to chose to bless you with money, that's ok. But please don't charge them an amount. For freely you have received that gift. Freely give it.... for the building of the body of Christ.

 

[sunnyday]

Music is one of the channels through which God's Word is delivered to His people, just like drama, teaching, and preaching. There are pastors, prophets, apostles, evangelists, and teachers who carry out God's assignment through music. This is why music is also a recognized ministry, through which ministerial gifts can be exercised for the edification of the Church (Ephesians 4:11-12).

However, no ministry, including the music ministry, should be commercialized.

On the other hand, those inviting music ministers for programs should be considerate. They should understand that these ministers have crew members to take care of, equipment that needs maintenance, and transportation costs, among other logistics. It would be unfair to neglect these realities. While it is believed that God, who gave them the assignment, will provide resources and take care of them, it is not wrong if you are the vessel He chooses to accomplish that. The same God who inspired the organization or church to invite the minister has also made provision through them to support the minister and their ministry—without waiting for them to request a specific amount before doing what is necessary.