“It Makes No Sense” – Bishop Dag Heward-Mills Slams Practice Of Paying Church Musicians

Founder and General Overseer of Lighthouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, has reignited conversations around the commercialization of church ministry by firmly opposing the practice of paying musicians to perform in church.

In a widely circulated video, the renowned Ghanaian preacher addressed his congregation, expressing strong disapproval of individuals who offer their talents in exchange for money within the church setting.

“Watch out for people who do things for money. In my church, I said I’m not going to pay people to play instruments—because I can play them all myself. I play the drums, piano, and guitar,” Bishop Heward-Mills said during his sermon.

He explained that his frustration with musicians requesting payment inspired him to launch a music school within the church, aimed at training children to play various instruments. This, he noted, has helped the church build an in-house team of committed musicians.

“I got all the children in the church and established a music school. Every child must learn to play the piano. Today, all the children in my church can play the piano,” he noted.

According to the bishop, serving in church should be an act of devotion—not a commercial transaction.

“Nobody can come and bully us in church by asking to be paid before singing. It’s nonsense. Here, we don’t pay, because you love Jesus. If not, go,” he declared.

His comments follow similar remarks made recently by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, who also criticised the tendency of some gospel musicians to use the church as a stepping stone before pursuing fame in secular circles.

@streetiswatching1 “It is nonsense to pay church musicians.” – Dag Heward-Mills https://youtu.be/N-eIBeAnikA #lighthousechapelinternational #lighthousegroupofchurches #ghanatiktokers🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 #ghana #ghanausa🇬🇭🇺🇸 #stonebwoy #kingpaluta #kwekusmoke_ #sarkodie #shattawale #kumasi #accra #ghanatiktokers🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 ♬ original sound – streetiswatching1