Dr Kenneth Hagin of blessed memory used to wish every pastor can spend two years on field ministry and vice versa just so that both sides can learn and know how to treat each other honourably.I travel around the world frequently. I travelled internationally seventeen times last year and flew at least fifty flights. This is apart from traveling by road and by train on other occasions. As a frequent traveler and a middle aged man, I have found flying in economy class on long flights quite strenuous and stressful. I end up with bloodshot eyes, back pain and longer recovery from jet lag unlike it was when I travelled in younger years.

For churches that can afford it therefore, I demand for business class tickets or ask them to pair with other churches to co-host me so their budgets can handle it. I had to temporarily adjust my class of travels to premium economy cabins due to the fallen value of our national currency of late. It at least provides a little more leg room but still not the comfort a frequent flying middle aged man or old man would deserve. These are matters of common sense and they should guide hosts and invitees alike. A comfortable guest preacher or singer performs better than a sick or stressed out one.

However, ministers should not make unreasonable demands that are unaffordable for their hosts neither should hosts invite ministers they cannot take good care of. It remains my conviction that we should not be so rigid that we cannot obey the leading of the Holy Spirit where certain demands cannot be met. When guest ministers make life comfortable for their hosts, they will get invited back. It’s advisable especially in international ministry that except your ministry is in high demand, you learn to travel at your own expense and minister for several people so you can pay your expenses and still have more to pay your personal bills.

I demanded my staff stop inviting a couple of musicians recently due to their exorbitant charges. They hire managers to interface with churches and pay them commissions. The salesmen negotiate and argue like true hirelings whose only purpose is to make money. With the eyes of many preachers and music ministers off eternal rewards, the goal is to make as much money as possible on this side of eternity. The question is, are we going to have any rewards left in heaven when it’s all about getting all we can, canning all we can and sitting on the can? The Bible warns us a lot against greed and covetousness.

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬….

“Useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Some itinerant ministers have lost sight of the purpose of their calling because of greed. They have become professional fundraisers who collect percentages or commissions on amounts raised. A friend told me of an offer made by an invited guest preacher of a 60/40 split of all offerings raised. It sounded more to me like an auctioneer’s offer than a preacher’s intent to be a blessing. Playing such games with Christ’s church is quite daring and contemptuous to say the least. I have also hosted people who use various strategies and tricks to raise money in order to get handsome honoraria. I must confess my weakness at stopping them while my stomach churned and twisted at their gamesmanship. I only close the door on them and never invite them back so I do not become a greater accomplice next time. I already had to plead for God’s mercy in the first instance.

We must all remember to serve God with clear consciences. I have chosen to raise necessary offerings by myself in recent years so I do not sit on edge like some visiting ministers have made me do in time past.We pastors must learn not to bite more than we can chew. Our ministry demands all churches propose their budgets to our Board of Directors through our Directorate of Finance ahead of every new year. If we all keep to our budgets we will not allow ourselves to be hoodwinked by hireling preachers and music ministers while we will also not invite people we cannot afford. Experience has taught us that while invited speakers and ministers may add value and numbers to our conferences, such are only temporary in their effect. No church grows on guest ministers but rather on the quality of the ministry of the shepherd and the excellence with which ministry is served at every level of the life of the church.

My conclusion is that we ministers of the Word through preaching and music should all follow our conscience in this matter. It remains ideal that we do not charge money for the administration of the gift of God but where necessary measures should taken to protect ourselves, they should be done with modesty and clear consciences.The privilege I have in not charging is that of directing my Faith and expectations towards God and not limiting Him by my charges. We have seen how God has blessed some music ministers exceptionally who do not charge money because they see God as their source. Even though there might be times of being cheated, ultimately, God compensates.

This is my opinion but I know not everyone can operate on that level of Faith. Let everyone do as he is persuaded in his heart and as his conscience permits (Romans 14.22).