The Founder and Presiding Bishop of Lighthouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, has recently found himself at the center of controversy due to his remarks about the non-payment of church musicians. In a sermon delivered during a visit to Sierra Leone, Bishop Heward-Mills addressed the criticism head-on, challenging those who disagreed with him to act on their threats and invoking biblical principles to defend his position.
Referring to scripture during his address, Bishop Heward-Mills cautioned against attacking what he described as divinely chosen servants. He boldly stated, “Come and slap me and see if there is oil on your hand… You are finished if you slap the anointing, because the Holy Spirit is not like Jesus, who would tolerate all of these things. If you like, go and touch His anointed.” The Bishop went on to criticize those who speak against religious leaders, calling them unwise.
The controversy arose from a viral video in which Bishop Heward-Mills asserted that musicians who play instruments during church services should not be paid. His comments sparked backlash from both netizens and public figures, with music executive Bullgod calling the Bishop’s remarks “nonsense” during an episode of United Showbiz. Bullgod questioned why a portion of church offerings could not be allocated to support musicians and other church workers.
Despite the backlash, Bishop Heward-Mills stood firm in his beliefs, emphasizing that God chooses who He anoints and that those who speak against anointed individuals are acting foolishly. He warned, “Come and strike me because you don’t like my preaching, and you will see what becomes of you. You’re not dealing with a man, but with the Holy Spirit.”
It is evident that Bishop Dag Heward-Mills is unapologetic about his stance on the non-payment of church musicians and is willing to defend his position using biblical teachings. The controversy surrounding his remarks serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play within religious institutions and the importance of respectful dialogue when addressing differing opinions.
