Article: CHRISTIAN CREATIVES DESERVES BETTER – AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NIGERIAN CHURCH

A creative is that person whose job involves creative work. Someone having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas and also using the ability to bring such thoughts into fruition.

Creativity involves the process by which new ideas are conceived and transformed into finished products for public or private consumption. As simple as this definition, the process surely isn’t as simple and as such value placed on the intellectual properties of these creatives should be worthwhile.

But it’s sad to see that a lot of Christian creatives in Nigeria are not being treated as good as they deserve. One of the major reasons being a self-coined nomenclature “ministers” on the lips of almost everyone who is a part of the Nigerian church.

A minister is a person authorised by a church or other religious organisation to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community [Wikipedia.org: Minister – Christianity]

A critical look at the definition above of a minister does not in any way include creatives, unfortunately the Nigerian church will rather address a Christian creative as a minister, an action that keeps robbing these men and women of values, renumeration and accolades due to them.

Coincidentally, some of these creatives have also not been able to distinguish between the two entities – being a minister and being a creative and as such have accepted themselves be christened a name that prevents most of them from requesting or getting adequately remunerated for their works.

The major difference between the Christian creative and the non-Christian creative is the fact the former has the gospel of Christ holistically integrated into their products and services, the question now is – should this difference be a reason to not be adequately remunerated?

In fact, It seems that major difference is why statements like: they are serving God; God gave them the talents/gifts; They are ministers among many others are rampant within the church circle.

Now just before anyone gives that “God will reward them” response, I think you should take some steps backwards as you consider the process from conception of ideas, interpretation and production of final goods and/or services, you will realize that these labourers are worthy of their wages. Do not also forget the parable of the talents in the bible as it is expected that these men and women are to profit trading with their talents.

The same law that applies to a Christian banker, doctor, lawyer and other Christian professionals being adequately rewarded for their services applies to that Christian singer, rapper, writer, spoken word artiste, poet, actor/actress, painter, compere, producer etc. We should stop expecting them to do things for free or even asking for it, let them decide when they want to be available with their talents and gifting for free.

It’s a shame to see companies owned by Christians sponsoring non-Christian events, shows and other projects, but give excuses when it has to do with that of creatives in the church. Its shame to blackmail Christian creatives with “you are a minister of God” when its time to reward them for their services, worse still is treating them dishonourably.

Kudos to those who have overtime done well for our Christian creatives but what’s the percentage of such people in the whole equation, probably we would be referring to a bucket of water in an ocean for illustration purposes.

Its high time the Nigerian church treated Christian creatives with honour that they deserve. Its time they are adequately rewarded rightly for their creativity, it’s time to support and sponsor their projects, it’s that time that we begin to understand that being Christians is not a reason for these creatives to be robbed of what should rightfully go to them.

Christian creatives can be treated better.

Christian creatives deserve better.

 

Yours faithfully,

A concerned Nigerian Christian creative

Babatope Adefunmilayo [Creative Writer, OAP, Singer, songwriter, and Child of God] [@iambabatope]