As shared by George Onyedikachukwu Nnadozie.

When Mercy Chinwo visited our Assembly not too long ago, she did not charge ₦10,000,000 as her fee. While I won't disclose the exact amount she received, it was significantly less than half of ₦10,000,000.

Out of her earnings, she graciously gave ₦1,000,000 back to the Church as an offering, demonstrating her generosity and support for House on the Rock, Asaba.

Mercy was accompanied by her dedicated team, and it's important to recognize that they deserve compensation for their commitment. It is reasonable to expect payment for their services since they leave their usual responsibilities to support Mercy in her music endeavors. Additionally, Mercy herself deserves to be paid for her work as she operates in the music industry with a focus on Christian music.

I have always believed in the importance of nurturing and empowering local talent within each congregation. After all, we don't typically bring in external ushers to assist on Sundays when the church already has its own ushers.

Similarly, the music department of the church is capable of ministering through songs. However, if the church decides to engage the services of a musician specializing in Christian music, it is only fair that the musician be compensated. Before discussing the argument of "ministry," it is worth noting that the concept of "Music Ministers" has been a subject of debate, with some expressing concerns about biblical support for hiring musicians to minister to the congregation.

The early Church followed a pattern where different individuals contributed their unique gifts, including sharing the word, providing encouragement, presenting psalms, and offering songs, among other forms of ministry. While we don't need to replicate every aspect of the early Church's practices due to the different context and times we live in, we can observe that Pastor Chris of Christ Embassy, for instance, understood this concept and did not rely on external musicians to "bless" the congregation.

Mercy Chinwo is a professional musician, and her music career provides for her livelihood. If she decides to transition to full-time ministry in the future, that will be her personal decision. However, at present, she is a gifted and talented musician operating within the music business. Whether one chooses to label it as ministry is subjective, but it is evident that she operates as a musician and has the right to determine her fees for the services she provides. It's important to note that she is not coming to preach the word or serve as a member of your congregation. If your pastor deems it appropriate to invite external singers to bless the church, the church should be prepared to cover the associated expenses. Nowhere in the Bible does it dictate that ministry must be conducted exclusively by A-list music artists.

If Mercy Chinwo were not to charge for her services, congregations would be inclined to take advantage of her talent without providing fair compensation. Furthermore, it is unfair to compare her situation with that of Nathaniel Bassey, who chooses not to charge but also selectively accepts invitations. Nathaniel Bassey typically ministers in larger churches and receives appropriate compensation without needing to request it explicitly.

One of the reasons musicians like Mercy Chinwo are transparent about their fees is to avoid complications. For instance, if Dr. Paul Enenche or Bishop Oyedepo were to invite Mercy Chinwo to their events, she might not even need to discuss the fee because she knows they would offer her fair compensation without hesitation.

Why should we criticize Mercy Chinwo for conducting her business? Does the person who prints your church flyers do it for free? Are they engaged in a "printing ministry"? Similarly, the individuals who sold your church sound systems, lights, and musical equipment did not provide them for free. These tools are essential for expressing various aspects of ministry, and yet the church pays for them.

Why should we hold a double standard when it comes to compensating musicians?

There are certainly aspects of church operations that are optional and not necessary for ministry but can make it more convenient. We invest in constructing auditoriums, acquiring good sound systems, and other amenities that enhance the church experience. While these elements are beneficial, they are not fundamental requirements. Hiring a musician for your church, despite having a choir, falls into a similar category. These musicians charge for their services because that's their domain.

I recall occasions where I was invited to minister in certain congregations, and after sharing my gifts, I received nothing more than a "God bless you." In fact, on one occasion, I had to borrow money from someone just to cover my transportation expenses. However, as the person I am, I did not take offense at it. In fact, my desire has always been to minister and even contribute something from my own pocket. That's simply who I am.

By sharing my perspective, I hope to shed light on another angle of this conversation.

https://twitter.com/GeorgeNnad/status/1666849086866161664?t=XVRcXs34IOPC4h05Tr1DuA&s=08

It's like going to visit someone and the person asks you to give him money to buy you refreshment...

The Bible said "The gift of a man shall make a way for him." It's not bad she's charging. If you don't like it then move.

When it comes to gospel ministers they want them to minister almost free but when the likes of Davido and Wizkid charge that amount, it's okay.

How do you expect them to feed if she doesn't charge. If it's easy to get a song from the realm, you too enter studio and sing.

Which means she charges #9 million per show.


She only returned the excess #1 million (her tithe).

Medicine after death. Saying the money is far less than half, 10million. It can't be equal in every church and many people know the reason already.
It's not only her, it is all of them. While am not against them taking some fees cos many times logistics is not that easy, but they most times charge outrageously. Imagine many of them developed their talents in the church, build themselves in the choir, use church instruments to become experts , yet they come back and charge same church branch outrageous fees. To me, that's not the best. I have witnessed it many times not only her.

That's why many called them entertainers. Funny thing is that many help the church to collect offerings there by helping them to get the money paid to them back because they know people will respond well to their offering requests.

While some are doing their own will, others are doing accordingly to God's tenets..

Nice one minister Mercy, God bless you more everyday...

For pastor mind

No amount of money is too much for a Gospel minister. Though the ministeration should not be monetized. Some of them spend sleepless days and nights of fasting and praying to power their ministries.

H

charity in Christendom has been trampled beyond recognition.

If there was real charity we wouldnt have this conversation.

Because she was called out for charging money for her shows, now we are hearing for the first time she's giving offering in church.

Odiegwu

Even if its significantly less than 10M, its still quite high. Charging money to worship God might sound somehow to some people. Fine, we have to consider transport, feeding and other things but when its running into millions of naira then you are just after your own pocket and not the purpose of Christianity.

These gospel artist see gospel music as an alternative to secular music. And what these gospel artist do behind the scenes will shock you. Na them dey musangwe pass.

Damage control

In my opinion though I don't think she needs to apologize to anyone for charging fees before performing in churches

10 million to sing in church. The difference between secular and gospel artists is that they dress differently and nothing else. They are all in the business to make money. Let's just stop thinking one of the two will go to hell fire, because wherever one is, the other surely will be.

In other words, Mercy Chinwo = Lil Wayne

Sussh... We know that everything is business. What's the point of this post?

Even God go ask you what you use your talent for 😑

Great scammer of all time, you collect a whopping 10 millions just to praise your creator and give church 1m so people will praise you, God really merciful

Image Laundering.

If you like give 10 billion.

Promicah:
The Bible said "The gift of a man shall make a way for him." It's not bad she's charging. If you don't like it then move.

When it comes to gospel ministers they want them to minister almost free but when the Davido and Wizkid charge that amount it's okay.

How do you expect them to feed if she doesn't charge. If it's easy to get a song from the realm, you too enter studio and sing.

Don’t mind the hypocrites in cassocks.
If her music won’t help their own business model aka ministry to generate more offerings etc, then why invite her

The tithe she paid is between her and her God. Why make it public? She paid 10% of what she got. It shows she took home 9 million naira out of what she was paid.

She should give the money to those who need it not just as offering and not necessarily to the church that paid her.

it still doesn't validate the huge charges to minister. The Gospel should be free bt we should appreciate those who serve also.

and if u want to commercialise ur gifts its fine bt know ur boundaries.

She don pay her tight after collecting 10 million for singing in the house of God

Skiborobo:
Sussh... We know that everything is business. What's the point of this post?

Putting the record straight.
That is the point of the post.

Hypocrites everywhere...everything to bring down christainity,Don't play with God co he is a consuming fire...y'all stay on your lane

MetroLane:
Which means she charges #9 million per show.


She only returned the excess #1 million.

Obi, learn to read beyond the headlines

Not bad

nlfpmod:
As shared by George Onyedikachukwu Nnadozie.



https://twitter.com/GeorgeNnad/status/1666849086866161664?t=XVRcXs34IOPC4h05Tr1DuA&s=08

To sing 10M?
So una pack milli from una church to give person come sing Jesus song for Jesus house?
No wonder the Prodigal son went back to his father House
Gospel is no more free. How much pastor charges to go preach another church?

If she likes let her charge 100 million dollars, if you can't afford her fees don't call her. It's that simple. No be by force

All the tithes and offerings should not be going into the pastors pocket only. Let others of value benefit too

Do you have any idea how much redeem and winners make every Sunday all around the globe?

Since they're into ministry let them not collect money for one year and let's see if they can survive?

Gospel artist have the right to charge for their services! They can't fly around the globe with their support staff to sing for free

If you can't afford them, download their song online, play it with loudspeakers in your church and sing along. God will still answer your prayers and worship

All these bloggers are useless. Even the Rev Father did not say she charges 10m. It is the bloggers who twisted it.

W