Africa-Press – Ghana. Gyamfuaba, (not her real name), met me at the market square in sekondi for our usual Tuesday market day shopping for foodstuffs and fish to maintain our homes as responsible home makers.
For us, Tuesday market, also offers us an opportunity to chit chat about life and its giving and one conversation led to one another and another and later her dilemma with this pastor came up.
She said, “Nana, referring to me, do you know the number of consultation fees I have paid to some pastors all this while seeking spiritual answers to my leg problem”.?
“At this point, I became confused and wondered why a person and for that matter, a Christian had to pay consultation fee to a man of God for spiritual assistance”.
While, churches are supposed to serve as sanctuaries of spiritual solace and community support, the imposition of high fees for consultations and “giving directions” had introduced a commercial aspect that adversely affects marginalized individuals and the moral fabric of the church.
Range of charges
Some pastors charge as high as GHS 1000 for spiritual guidance.
These fees are justified by some church leaders as necessary to cover operational costs, including equipment and logistics, although critics argue that such charges contradict biblical teachings about freely giving spiritual services.
Pastor Vincent Amissah, Head of the Prayer Outreach Fellowship, said a few might attempt to justify consultation fees by emphasizing administrative and logistical needs.
In large ministries, where thousands seek the pastor’s attention weekly, a consultation fee could seem to help regulate access and maintain order.
Others, he noted, may argue that the fees contributed to the financial upkeep of the church or supported staff who assist in pastoral counselling and organization.
Pastor Amissah added that but from a purely administrative viewpoint, the arguments might appear reasonable, especially in contexts where church resources are limited and demand was high.
However, while these points may have practical logic, they must always be evaluated against the higher standard of biblical truth.
The ministry of the gospel is not a commercial enterprise, and the motives behind such practices must reflect the heart of Christ rather than the logic of the marketplace.
The Negative Implication
The practice of charging consultation fees before a member can see the pastor introducing several serious biblical and moral problems.
Pastor Amissah said, it commercializes the sacred work of the ministry adding that Jesus gave His disciples a clear command: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, NKJV). Pastoral counselling, prayer, and spiritual care are divine callings, not services to be sold. When spiritual gifts are monetized, the grace of God is turned into a business transaction, thereby diminishing the sanctity of ministry.”
Secondly, it distorts the image of a true shepherd. Jesus, the ultimate model of pastoral care, said, “I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27). He never charged those who came to Him for healing, deliverance, or counsel.
He added that the true shepherd was motivated by love and compassion, not by financial gain, noting that charging fees before seeing or attending to members painted an image of selfishness and greed rather than humility and service.
“Thirdly, this practice creates a barrier between the shepherd and the flock making reference to Jeremiah: “I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15).
“A shepherd after God’s heart welcomes and feeds all sheep equally, without discrimination while, consultation fees discourage the poor and favour the wealthy, violating the principle of impartiality emphasized in James 2:1–4, where God warned against favouritism within the church.”
Finally, the habit of charging members can invite divine judgment. Isaiah 56:10–11 condemns shepherds who turn to personal gain rather than godly service: “They all look to their own way, every one for his gain.” When the focus of ministry shifts from serving God’s people to collecting money, the anointing is replaced by ambition, and the spiritual authority of the pastor begins to fade.
Biblical Effects and Consequences
The Bible is clear about the dangers of greed and the misuse of spiritual authority.
In 2 Peter 2:3, the Apostle Peter warns, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words.” When members are required to pay before accessing spiritual care, trust in leadership erodes, and the church becomes a place of exploitation rather than restoration.
Moreover, such practices lead to spiritual decay and hypocrisy. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 23:14, saying, “You devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers.” This demonstrated how religious leaders can use spiritual authority for material benefit, while pretending to serve God.
The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, set an example of integrity when he declared, “What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present it without charge” (1 Corinthians 9:18).
Pastor Nana Efua Thompson condemned the practice as “highly unacceptable in Christianity,” emphasizing the need for pastors to desist from charging fees highlighting the ethical dilemmas and spiritual harm caused by monetizing pastoral services.
Christianity should be about compassion and support rather than financial exploitation.
The commercialism infiltrating churches is seen as eroding the sanctity and trust that believers place in their spiritual leaders, contributing to disillusionment and division within congregations.
Madam Maribel Okine, the Western Regional Director for Gender said churches must prioritize Transparency, Fairness, and Support to address concerns about consultation fees.
Personal Impact:
Consultation fees are particularly harsh on vulnerable individuals, such as marginalized women seeking spiritual help.
One woman living abroad recounted her shock and disappointment upon learning about a $300 consultation fee required to access spiritual guidance from a popular preacher.
This fee placed an insurmountable barrier between her and the support she sought, underscoring how consultation fees can alienate those most in need.
Meanwhile, Societal and spiritual consequences of the commercialization of spiritual services also deepens socio-economic inequalities by excluding poorer members from full participation in church life.
Many believers, desperate for healing or guidance, are compelled to part with scarce resources they cannot afford, often worsening their financial and emotional well-being.
This cycle of exploitation fuels distrust in religious institutions and detracts from the communal values of Christianity.
Nana Egya Kwamina XI, Chief of Apremdo said Pastors/ Prophets/ Bishops is a calling not a trade.
“It is very wrong for churches to pay a consultation fee…Why because in the scriptures the Lord says he gave us free power to serve the people”.
Moreover, the moral authority of churches diminishes as financial transactions take precedence over spiritual care.
The institutional focus shifts towards revenue generation rather than service to humanity, shaking the core relationship between pastors and their congregations.
Corruption and Church Business
This trend is intertwined with broader issues of corruption within some church structures where financial gains become more important than spiritual responsibilities.
The blurring of lines between church business and ministry has led to scandals and public criticism, suggesting a need for greater accountability and regulation within religious institutions.
This feature highlights the urgent need for dialogue and reforms, addressing church consultation fees to preserve the integrity of Christianity and protect marginalized members of society.
It calls on church leaders, policymakers, and congregants alike to reaffirm the values of empathy and service as well as church doctrines that define the Christian faith.
Source: Ghana News Agency
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