The Gospel genre of music brims with talents, potentials, and opportunities but many of them are often ignored. The Church from time immemorial has been the place where talents are discovered and natured.
A number of secular artistes, like the Gospel artistes, discovered their talents while in church, where they learnt how to sing and play musical instruments as members of the church choir.
And Since church musicians or gospel artistes sing or minister for or to God, the argument has always been, whether they should be paid for the services rendered. This has sharply divided men God and artistes.
Speaking during an interview on Thursday, Gospel singers Denis Lanek and Dangello Busulwa argued that a lot of time goes into composing songs, shooting videos, and rehearsals for performances to be perfected. The singers said they also deserve to be paid for performances just like how pastors collect offertory after preaching.
Founder and Senior Pastor of Christianity Focus Centre Church, Mengo Kisenyi in Kampala, Bishop David Livingstone Kiganda however responded to the argument saying that Gospel artistes should not charge fees since it is the work of God that they are doing.
“No one should pay the gospel artistes because they are serving God. The big problem is these gospel artistes started to compare themselves with secular musicians,” Bishop Kiganda said.
Kiganda claimed that the scripture forbids charging for church ministry works.
“Aren’t you glad that the Lord didn’t charge any of us to hear about the good news of the gospel unto salvation? Aren’t you glad that the Holy Spirit doesn’t charge any of us for the spiritual gifts He gives to the church,” Kiganda stated.