UK-based Ghanaian gospel singer, Diana Antwi Hamilton, has stated that there is nothing wrong with gospel musicians demanding a fee to perform at church services, saying gospel musicians, like labourers, are worth their wages.
The issue of gospel artistes charging a fee prior to performing at church events remains a contentious issue, with others arguing that as ministers, such artistes should not be seen to be commercialising the propagation of God’s word.
But Mrs Hamilton who disclosed that she worships with the Church of Pentecost said apart from her church where she would not “ask questions” if asked to perform, an invitation to sing at another church should come with some payment.
Speaking in an interview with Accra FM, the UK-based gospel singer said such fees demanded by gospel artistes also go to offset costs incurred in the production of tracks and for promotions on TV, radio and other media, in addition to putting such songs on CD.
“The word of God is free but the Bible is expensive. The medium through which the word of God is spread is not free,” she said.
She added that many persons inviting gospel artistes to their shows, when directed to see the managers of the artiste, always think it is all about the money. But she said this also has to do with other arrangements towards the programme to which the artiste is being invited – band, travel, location, among many others.
Source: Daily Guide
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Kaa. You cannot.be serious. Do you know how much it costs to pay musicians or hire a rehearsal studio. You are the one who is taking the bible out of context. Who buys CDs these days? People like yourself are downloading music illegally and passing on to their friends. How is.an artist supposed to live when they go to ministr at a church and the church gives them takeaway container of Jollof rice and a bottle of malt? My friend, read your bible again. Your own quotient says that a worker is due their wages. What don't you understand about that statement. Stop contradicting yourself. Go to the book of Nehemiah where the church is admonished about ignoring the levites hence leading to them going back to their secular jobs. That is what is happening and that is why some Gospel artistes are quitting or turning to secular. The church must bow our heads in shame for allowing this to happen and then condemning musicians for stating what is rightfully due them. And shame to people like kaa, shaaaame for condemning Artiste like Diana who are bold to speak up for the suffering majority.
@-@KAA, Tithes and Offerings are not the same. Revise your bible. Do gospel musicians get the venue,instruments,etc. for free when organizing programs? If no then y are you against them when they charge for performance.
Point of correction; we DON'T PAY Tithe nor Offering. It is NOT FORCE because COMPULSION is not the nature of God. We HONOUR God with our Tithes & Offering. The New Testament talks about Cheerful Giving and NOT Charging Giving. Why would you charge before going to 'WORSHIP' or 'PRAISE' your MAKER with a church as if it is by your own ability that you sing? The gift/talent was given for God's Kingdom use not for money. If so Then all visiting Pastors must charge before they go and preach. Jesus said "When you go... eat and drink whatever they give you..." Luke 10:5-7. Where did He say when you go CHARGE them? And please don't tell me about money for the recordings and promotion of your songs; that is why you sell CDs and songs online. God help and open your eyes to understand that the Kingdom of God is not for amassing wealth. My advise to her is to sing or use her talent for the propagation of the Gospel rather than doing it for money/wealth and the applause of men as these so Gospel musicians of today are doing. I'm sure any church inviting will give you offering and even if they don't, Christ knows His own.
You don't understand what you are saying, why does the bible encourage us to pay tithes, are those monies sent to heaven?. We pay so that the laborers in Gold's vineyard will get something to depend on for survival. Full time Gospel artists are like pastors. Why will you pay offering at church but refuse to pay for a gospel event. Please think and come again.
Stop taking Bible verses out of context woman. People like you are dangerous to the Body of Christ because you can take anything out of the Bible and make the Bible say whatever you want (when the Bible is not actually saying). You just grabbed part of Luke 10 vs 7 & just use it out of context when the entire Luke 10:7 says "Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house." This was a continuation from Luke 10:5 when Jesus said ""When you enter a house....." Where did it talk about charging? What about Matthew 10:8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Why not quote that then? I am not saying give your recorded CDs for free because money was used but you must not be amassing wealth with the Gospel as a lot of these charlatans (so called men of God) are doing now. I don't want to go into what Paul said at 1 Tim 5:17-18 because of space. It will be better to Let the world know that you want material gains from your chosen path & stop your hypocritical attitudes as if you are genuinely interested in the propagation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. God judges motives so you people must be careful.