The lead pastor of Light Nation Church, Apostle Femi Lazarus, has replied to Timi Dakolo after the singer called him out over his comments about the excessive financial demands made by some gospel artistes to perform at church events.
Recall that Timi Dakolo had called out Apostle Lazarus on social media after a video purportedly showed the clergyman projecting a $10,000 honorarium invoice from a gospel artiste during a sermon.
Among other requirements, the invoice shared online by the cleric listed a mandatory 50% non-refundable deposit, a first-class ticket, and lodging.
Apostle Lazarus subsequently contended that these financial demands were too high for the ministry.
In a post on his Instagram page, Timi Dakolo challenged the well-dressed pastor to mention the artiste in question.
He wrote, “Nigerians, you should not believe everything you see. Nobody has a 40-man crew in Nigeria. Name the artiste to justify capping.’’
Timi Dakolo also showed some posts that included screenshots of two emails he received when he applied to the $150-per-student Apostle Lazarus’ school.
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“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; they are performers. And by that definition, if any preacher charges to teach and minister, they are merchants of hope and motivational speakers too.
‘‘Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus, probably having as many as 1,000 students. Let’s do the maths. Do you even have premium and standard for God’s house? Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goalpost,” the singer added.
While reacting to the comments made by Timi Dakolo in a post shared on his Instagram page, Apostle Lazarus acknowledged that the singer is a music legend who deserves his flowers.
He wrote; ‘‘My brother @timidakolo is a music legend. Give him his flowers
‘‘What a man! He genuinely carries the burdens of musicians. His concerns are real.
‘‘I love you. Better structures will be built. Pain is real. From pulpit to the pew, the pain is real, but we will be fine.
“This generation will not have a carryover of pain. Hosts will do better. Guests will do better. We will have a better nation together.’’ Apostle Lazarus concluded.
