During a recent church service, a well-known pastor and gospel singer made headlines for his bold demand for contributions from his congregants. He called upon his church members to raise a total of KSh 5.1 million, instructing ushers to close the church doors to ensure that everyone remained inside until the funds were collected.
The pastor explained that with one thousand congregants physically present and another thousand watching via live stream, the goal could be easily achieved if each person contributed a small amount. He encouraged each member to give KSh 2,500 as a seed offering and emphasized that the amount would have been enough to take his late wife on a date. Additionally, he urged the other pastors on the pulpit to contribute KSh 13,000, stating that their leadership roles came with higher responsibilities.
To ensure participation, he instructed those making electronic transfers to still come forward and gesture their donation by placing their phones inside the offering basket. He emphasized that giving was an act of worship and urged members to remain silent during the offering period. Leading by example, he also made his own contribution, though he was seen picking a few notes from a bundle while returning the rest to his pocket.
The pastor’s actions quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions from the public. Some supported his initiative, citing the financial needs of running a ministry, while others criticized him for pressuring people into giving. Many questioned the ethics of closing the doors, preventing people from leaving, while others debated whether such fundraising methods aligned with true Christian principles.
Critics argued that faith should be about a personal relationship with God rather than financial obligations imposed by church leaders. Some pointed out that forcing people to give negated the spirit of genuine giving. Others expressed skepticism about the transparency of such large financial requests, questioning how the money would be used.
Supporters, however, defended the pastor, comparing the church’s fundraising efforts to those of business seminars and training programs that charge substantial fees. They argued that ministry requires funding for operational costs and that there was nothing wrong with raising money for church needs, provided the funds were handled with accountability and integrity.
In a separate incident, another pastor expressed frustration with what he considered an inadequate offering from his congregation. In a widely shared video, he emptied the collection bin onto the floor in disappointment, accusing the members of playing games with their contributions. He warned that those unwilling to give more should consider not attending his church at all.
These events have reignited discussions on the role of money in religious institutions, with some advocating for financial transparency and ethical fundraising while others remain firm in their belief that giving should be a personal choice, free from pressure or coercion.
