A growing concern over the commercialisation of choir departments in white garment churches formed part of the opening discussions at the 2026 Global Convention of the United Aladura Conference, held at Celestial Church of Christ, Agidingbi Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The discussion, which attracted the attention of leaders of various white garment churches, centred on the increasing demand by some choir members for monetary benefits before rendering musical services during church programmes and special events in their respective parishes.
Speaking during the discussion, Most Superior Evangelist S.O Banjo gave a historical account of how choir departments were traditionally developed in white garment churches in Nigeria. He expressed concern that the present development was a departure from the values and practices that characterised the early growth of the church.
According to him, the early development of the church involved a deliberate process of nurturing talents across different departments, particularly the choir department. He explained that children were traditionally trained from the Sunday School to become instrumentalists, and after spending some years in the department, they would graduate into the main church, where they would serve as major instrumentalists.
He, however, lamented that the influence of Pentecostal churches and the introduction of monetary incentives had contributed to the gradual departure of some talented choir members from their traditional spiritual responsibilities.
He said: “At the early stage of our church, there was a procedure through which all departments developed their members, particularly the choir department. Most of us in white garment churches normally trained our children to become instrumentalists from the Sunday School. After spending some years in the Sunday School, they would graduate into the main church and become major instrumentalists. Unfortunately, Pentecostal churches have used money to entice some of them, while some who remain constantly request money before they can perform in their respective parishes. This was not the early practice in white garment churches in Nigeria.”
MSE Banjo further emphasised that choir members in white garment churches must understand that their participation in the department is primarily a spiritual assignment and should not be driven by financial expectations. He challenged choir members to see their voices and musical talents as instruments of communication with God, explaining that their service should be an expression of praise and worship through which they proclaim the glory of God.
He maintained that choir members should offer their talents to God in faith, trusting Him to reward their commitment and service in their respective lives, rather than making financial demands on the church before performing their spiritual responsibilities. He also warned that allowing monetary benefits to take precedence over spiritual service could create an unhealthy situation in the church. According to him, if choir members begin to demand payment before carrying out their responsibilities, other departments, including prophets and ushers, could equally adopt the same approach by demanding financial compensation for their respective duties.
The senior cleric consequently called on white garment churches to take youth development seriously by organising programmes and creating opportunities that will nurture young talents within the church. He stressed that the church must develop deliberate strategies to retain its gifted youths and prevent other Christian denominations from attracting them through financial incentives. His contribution has brought renewed attention to the responsibility of church leadership in preserving the spiritual heritage of white garment churches, particularly in the areas of youth development, talent discovery and the traditional responsibilities of various church departments.
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