29/05/2026
MANAGING THE CHALLENGE OF HONOURARIUM BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR MEETINGS:
FIVE WAYS TO MANAGE THAT CHALLENGE:
One of the biggest challenges of hosting pastors, is the issue of honourarium.
There are pastors not in talking terms today because of honourarium.
There are pastors that can never step their feet in some places again because of honourarium.
There are Pastors they will never invite some pastors again because of honourarium.
The challenge is that you can't take away honorarium from ministry. It will forever remain that way.
FIVE WAYS TO HANDLE THIS CHALLENGE:
1. NEVER INVITE ANYONE WHO EXPECT OR DESERVE WHAT YOU CANT AFFORD: Sometimes you are the one looking for problem. It is not everyone you can satisfy. Leave them for the sake of your peace. As we speak, a Pastor is angry that a man is not satisfied with the one million he gave to him. You left the person that will share testimony for receiving five hundred thousand, to the one that one million is a disrespect on his person and efforts. We are still trying to settle them till this very moment. How can I raise over ten million, and you gave me just one million? What a shame?
But some guest speakers truly deserve what they expect, That is their level. You meet them at their level, not at your level. I declined hosting a father some years ago, who is to be given ten thousand dollars before coming, Honourarium and a five star hotel not included. My friend who grabbed the opportunity lost his biggest partner after the meeting. The young partner was over stretched. Anything that is over stretched is looking for a stretcher. He was actually the one that brought the ten thousand dollars they gave to the father. Maybe he was not satisfied with the whole thing. So he left the church till date. At the moment, the visibility I have in ministry by the mercies of God, himself who hosted that father doesn't have it. Something's are just yeye packaging. No life inside of it. Real ministry is not about who you host, it is about the host of heaven rejoicing at your appearance.
2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE INVITING TO YOUR ALTAR: Many host the Pastors they don't truly know. A man who believes in being honored based on what was raised in the meeting is not the one to invite if that is not also your belief. Know who you are dealing with. Some won't tell you when you treat them badly, they will just start giving excuses after their first meeting with you. Some will tell you to your face. Some won't come if they know you cant take care of them. Whatever they tell you is not correct. Their fear is you can't take good care of them. I know of a pastor who no matter what you give to him, he will still sow in millions to your work. Just know who you are dealing with. I also know some, no matter what you give to them, it is their balance you will be hearing. " You will be hearing, You still dey owe me balance oh".
3. KNOW WHO YOU ARE PREACHING FOR ALSO:
The Guest speaker also should know who he is going to preach for. There is a man who gives hundred thousand as honorarium even if you raise a billion naira. That hundred thousand is the covenant they have with you. Infact, he gives you the money before you start preaching. So that if you now use your mind to do anything, it is your own decision to do it. Who is to be blamed? The guest speaker who knows the style of his host and want to change it. There are people you preach for based on your knowledge of them.
My convention is next week, i have kept outside the honourarium, hotel bills, feeding and logistics for the two guest speakers coming for the meeting. I don't bring if I can't honour based on what I know. I have told my members just come and be blessed, leave the guest speakers for me. They are not coming to stress you but to bless you.
These guest speakers have trusted their lives into my hands. Based on their knowledge of me. I must not bring them and hurt them.
4. DISCUSS EVERYTHING ABOUT THE MEETING: This approach is for two strangers coming together as guest speaker and host pastor. You discuss everything about the meeting. You don't give room for Assumption. You don't have point number one to point number three, then don't joke with number four. You don't know him. He doesn't also know you. You don't know what he deserves. Then discuss everything. After your first meeting, if both parties are satisfied with your individual performance, the process will change to a relationship based on knowledge and experience. Don't be afraid or ashamed to discuss everything. What you don't discuss can destroy you. Discuss it in a gentle man way.
5. IF YOU WILL NOT HONOUR, DONT HOST, IF YOU CANT PREACH WITHOUT BEING HONOURED ALSO, DONT GO: This point is the general standard that should guide both the host and the guest. Don't host if you won't honour, Don't also go if you can't be dishonoured.
There are hosts that can't honour, it is their weakness. There are also Guests that can't stand dishonour , it is their weakness also. Let everyone manage their side of the coin. There are pastors that no dishonour can make them regret coming to preach the gospel. They will always preach it even in the midst of dishonour. There are still some pastors that no amount of begging can make them accept to preach the gospel where they are dishonoured. Just know the standard of each group.
Let this guide both the host pastor and the guest speakers, As you run you ministry.
I believe it will help you.
You will be fine.
Be blessed.
Bishop Irabor Wisdom.
Raymond Mujeyi
