Renowned Nigerian gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, has weighed in on the ongoing debate about whether gospel ministers should charge fees for church performances.
In a viral video, Bassey revealed that he does not charge for ministrations, emphasizing his belief that ministry should not be commercialized. According to him, serving in God's house is an act of worship, not a business transaction.
He explained:
“If a church invites me to minister, they are doing two things: inviting me to minister to God and to His people. To my understanding, when you ask me to minister to God, I cannot charge Him. How much did He charge me for His blood on Calvary? The blood that is the very reason for my ministry. It’s a personal conviction for me, and it has worked, so why abandon what is working?”
Bassey’s comments come in response to a growing controversy triggered by Apostle Femi Lazarus, who criticized gospel artists for demanding exorbitant fees to perform at church events. The cleric shared an instance where a gospel singer requested a large sum to perform for his congregation.
While some have commended Bassey’s perspective, others argue that gospel artists have financial obligations and should be compensated for their efforts. The debate continues to stir discussions within the Christian community.
"Why I don't charge to minister in a church"- Pastor Nathaniel Bassey pic.twitter.com/f0i00m7rDU
— Gistme9ja (@Gistme9j) March 19, 2025
