Their disagreement started over whether gospel artistes should charge fees for performing at church events, a topic that quickly sparked widespread debate online.
In a viral video, Pastor Femi Lazarus criticized gospel musicians who request payment for their performances, arguing that they should trust God for provision rather than prioritize financial gain. He maintained that gospel artistes are ministers of the gospel, not just entertainers.
Timi Dakolo, however, strongly disagreed, accusing pastors of coercing gospel singers into offering their services for free. He defended the right of gospel artistes to earn a living, emphasizing the financial responsibilities they bear.
He further suggested that instead of expecting professional gospel singers to perform without compensation, pastors should invest in training their church choirs.
In a follow-up statement, Dakolo clarified that his response was made with respect and love. While acknowledging that he is a Christian raised in the church, he reiterated that he does not identify as a gospel artist.
The R&B star then accused Pastor Femi Lazarus of charging students to attend his ministry school, which offers teachings on Christianity. According to Dakolo, the enrollment fee is approximately $150 per person, with around 1,000 students reportedly registered.
To support his claim, Dakolo shared a screenshot allegedly showing the school's fee structure. He criticized the pastor for profiting from what he described as a freely given gift and revelation.
Expressing his views, Dakolo wrote:
"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 but performers. By that same definition, if a preacher charges to teach and minister, they are merchants of hope, motivational speakers, and performers too.
"Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus, with possibly 1,000 students enrolled. Let’s do the math. You even have premium and standard categories for God's house?
"Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goalpost.”