Interview with Mama Mary Mandi: The Financial Honour of Music Ministers

In a recent interview, Mama Mary Mandi responded to a question about her counsel to the younger generation of ministers. While her guidance covered many aspects, she focused sharply on the issue of financial appreciation for music ministers.

Mama Mandi’s Response
On pastors failing to honour guest artists:

“There are some Cameroon pastors who are wicked. You minister for two or three days, putting in your full sacrifice, and yet they will give you anything but what is right. Some will appreciate my ministry only with words, asking me to go and promising to send money later, a promise that remains unfulfilled. Till date, many pastors still owe me.”

A call to biblical treatment of music ministers:

“I caution pastors to treat music ministers with the fear of the Lord and honour His Word. Any pastor who tells a guest artist to go, promises to send money, requests their Momo account, and then fails to pay is bringing problems upon themselves. The Bible clearly says, ‘A workman is worthy of his labour’ and ‘the ox eats from the corn it threshes.’ These scriptures are not optional. Pastors with this attitude need to seriously examine their hearts and their reading of Scripture.”

On misappropriation of blessings from congregations:

“In some churches, when the pastor invites a guest artist, members may give financially from the depth of their hearts. Yet some pastors instruct ushers to take that money. I have experienced this personally and have corrected some pastors over it. If people give from their hearts, that blessing belongs to the guest minister, it is part of God’s provision.”

On consequences of dishonouring guest ministers:

“Pastors who take money given to guest ministers create problems for themselves and contribute to why some Christian artists now charge for their services. The Holy Spirit moves in the hearts of people to meet the needs of God’s servants, sometimes through offerings from the congregation. Denying that is denying God’s way of providing.”

Dr. Bobbs Lyonga Elive