Gospel musician Esther Smith has opened up about whether gospel musicians should charge when invited to perform, particularly by churches. Speaking on Accra FM’s morning show with Chef Jerry Forson, she shared her honest perspective.

When asked if today’s gospel musicians have managers, road managers, and people who handle money, she simply replied, “Yes.”

The host then asked whether it is right for a gospel musician to charge when called to perform.

Esther said if it’s a regular church service, pastors usually understand, and it’s purely spiritual.

But when it comes to events, these are often run as businesses: organisers sell tickets or generate revenue.

Bringing your team and managing costs is not wrong, and she said it is normal for event organisers to take money, so charging is acceptable.

Esther also addressed why she did not organise a programme in Ghana this year.

Many fans had asked about her absence. She explained that she was still paying off a debt from her previous 2024 programme.

The church auditorium alone cost nearly GHC60,000, and this did not include payments for musicians, technical staff, and other expenses.

She had to travel abroad and work to pay off the debt gradually.

She emphasised that charging a church or pastor is not a sin, especially when events now involve real costs.

When asked whether this means “selling the gift God gave you,” Esther explained that in the past, from 2000 to 2007, they didn't charge or take money from pastors or prophets when they offered their services.

She recalled travelling to villages where churches were not well-funded, and musicians often used their own money to support the ministry.

Her message is clear: asking for payment today is not about greed or selling your gift. It is about sustaining the ministry in a world where running programmes and events come with real expenses.