A social media post by Apostle Rowan Carnagie denouncing the high payments being requested by some gospel artistes for ministering at church fund raising events has sparked a heated debate on the issue in the Christian community.
An obviously peeved Apostle Carnagie ignited the discussion by comparing some gospel artistes’ fees to “car money and down payments,” suggesting that events are often staged solely to pay these performers. He remarked, “If I can find as a small church (and there are many smaller than mine) $400,000 to $850,000 for one artist, I don’t need to have a concert—we are well blessed.”
The post quickly gained traction, with some users agreeing wholeheartedly, while others called out what they perceived as hypocrisy in the statement.
Publishing expert and Christian entrepreneur, Crystal Daye pointed out that secular artistes often charge double what Kingdom artistes do, while Bishop Samuel Blackwood shared a personal experience to add context to the discussion. He explained that he once asked a “very anointed and popular minister” to minister at a fundraising concert, as the church needed chairs.
“He told me $350,000—and it’s because it’s me,” Bishop Blackwood said. He went on to explain that his church holds only 200 people. “When I do the math, I would have to ask persons to pay at least $2,000 for a ticket, and even if I get 200 persons to come, I would only make $50,000 profit.” He further noted that this profit would be wiped out once payments to other ministers and the backing band were factored in.
David Grant, a minister as well as a musician, offered a perspective from both sides of the fence. He questioned church leaders and promoters who, he claimed, misrepresent how much money is earned at events while short-changing artistes.
“Promoters set the amount they want to make and then contract (come into an agreement) as to how much the artiste will be paid. They contract the particular artiste to ‘attract’ the crowd. Crowd = money! The artiste comes, sees the place ram and WORKS, and then is told, ‘wi neva mek nuh money,’ yet the project for which the event was intended still goes on. How comes? The disingenuous church leaders/promoters make what they wanted, but the artiste must now suffer at their expense,” he wrote.
In an effort to balance the scale, Grant—speaking as someone who has served both as a musician and a pastor—shared that he has worked on the concert scene, served as an artiste manager, and pastored for over 30 years.
“There are realities that some church leaders don’t want to face,” he said. “Ask the artiste to break down what it costs to come and minister.”
He explained that rehearsal spaces are not cheap, and the quality of ministry expected often requires several rehearsals. Additionally, some musicians now expect to be paid not only for the event itself but also for rehearsals, as that time could otherwise be spent earning income to support their families.
“What’s the cost for instrument maintenance, transportation, rehearsals, etc?” he asked.
Grant also pointed out that some churches host events simply to make money without first counting the cost or doing the necessary groundwork to ensure success. “It takes money to make money,” he emphasized. He urged churches to do their homework, create proper budgets, seek sponsorship, and stop depending on freebies.
“I have had the honour of hosting events, and no artiste or musician can say I have ever failed to pay what was agreed upon….” he shared.
Nicole Masters sided with Apostle Carnagie, stating that she would never pay such fees. She declared emphatically, “I will never pay that money, all when mi have it! The secular world is different from the body of Christ—it’s two different altars. If a girl wants to go to a stage show and doesn’t have the money, she has multiple ways to get that. The church is different. Pay so much money for what? No sah! I agree with you 200 percent, sir. I made an attempt already and was so shocked. I realized I couldn’t do it.”
