Once upon a time, to hear your pastor preach, you had to dress up, grab your Bible, and find your way to church, rain or shine. Fast forward to now, and all you need is data and a decent phone. 

Nigerian churches have now gone digital — from YouTube sermons and Instagram Lives to TikTok snippets and full-blown church apps, let’s just say, they didn’t come to play.

What started as a way to stay connected during the pandemic has now evolved into a multimillion-naira industry.

And the churches doing it best have figured out a way to turn content into currency. So, how exactly are pastors, prophets, and apostles making money online? Is it a bad thing? Or just smart ministry in the digital age? 

SEE ALSO: 8 Nigerian pastors who lost their wives to death

YouTube monetisation is a real thing, and it pays

If your church has a YouTube channel with regular uploads, chances are, it’s making money, especially if it has more than 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time. That’s all YouTube needs to start placing ads on videos.

Now, think of churches like Salvation Ministries, Dunamis, and The Fountain of Life Church. Their sermons regularly pull tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, of views. Some even post daily. 

With YouTube ads paying anything from $1 to $10 per 1,000 views (depending on niche and country), it adds up very quickly. And if you add sponsorships and donation buttons, you’re looking at millions in revenue!

Sermon snippets are now viral content

Gone are the days when sermons were two-hour DVDs sold at church bookshops. These days, all you need is a 45-second clip with good lighting, clean editing, and a catchy caption, and boom! Your pastor is trending on TikTok or IG Reels.

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And with virality comes influence, and influence brings money. Pastors now have teams handling their content strategy. Some even hire digital marketing consultants to help them “package” the Word. 

RELATED: The 10 richest churches in Nigeria – What is the source of their wealth

3. Offerings and tithes now go through payment links and church apps

Digital giving is a game-changer. You can now sow a seed, pay your tithe, or “partner with the ministry” without leaving your house. Some churches have mobile apps where you can stream live services, get devotionals, and yes, give at the tap of a button.

Churches like COZA, RCCG, and House on the Rock have embraced this big time. Some even include QR codes on screen during services. With thousands watching from around the world, even small donations add up fast.

One media executive from a popular Lagos church once hinted that “digital donations now contribute more than 60% of total offerings,” and that was before 2020.

4. Merch, memberships & monthly subscriptions

Hoodies, mugs, notebooks, oil, wrist bands, and digital products too, like eBooks, devotionals, and private Zoom classes.

Some churches even offer online discipleship programs that require registration fees.

For example, prophetic classes, mentorship programs, and prayer circles are now offered via paid subscription models. A church can have 5,000 people paying ₦5,000 monthly for a 4-week program. That’s ₦25 million a month. 

Let that sink in.

Is this a bad thing? Let’s be honest

A lot of people roll their eyes when they hear churches are making money online. But should they be broke? Maybe not. Churches that invest in media are just moving with the times.

Of course, there are questions about transparency and how the money is spent, and that’s totally valid. But the real issue isn’t that churches are making money, it’s whether they’re being accountable with it.

So next time you see a sermon trending, just know, it’s not just the Spirit moving. It’s also the algorithm. 

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Money comes in, and just like that, it disappears. Poof. You check your bank app and as yourself, “Wait, who spent this money? Was it me?” Sounds painfully familiar?  

What you might not realise is how often we spend on small, seemingly insignificant things. Individually, they don’t feel like a big deal, but over time? These things add up. 

We spend mindlessly, and before we know it, those sneaky little expenses drain our accounts, slowly but steadily.

In a country where the economy is basically on vibes and survival mode, every naira matters. So, let’s call ourselves out a bit, shall we? 

If any of this sounds like you, no judgment, just adjust.

1. Constantly buying “small” data bundles

You buy ₦500 data every other day, thinking it’s small. But do the math; ₦500 every 2 days is about ₦7,500 a month. And that’s if you’re lucky. Some people spend more.

Instead of small, frequent bundles, many telcos offer bigger, more cost-effective plans. But because you’re streaming YouTube sermons without Wi-Fi, you keep buying small chunks, and wasting money. A monthly plan or home Wi-Fi might feel like a lot upfront, but it saves you long term. Trust.

RELATED: New MTN Vs. Airtel Data Plans: Which is Cheaper & Better?

2. Emotional spending on food & drinks

You’re sad, so you order pizza. You’re happy, so you order shawarma. You’re bored? Hello, ice cream. 

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Food delivery apps, restaurants, and random street cravings are one of the biggest low-key money drainers. It’s not just the food itself, it’s the delivery fees, the extras, and the “let me just add one drink” mentality.

Eating out or ordering in once in a while is fine, but when it becomes your coping mechanism or weekend routine, your wallet starts to feel it.

Try meal prepping, eating at home, or gasp learning to cook that one thing you always buy. 

3. Buying things to “feel among”

This one is for the soft life crew. You saw your friend rocking the latest sneakers, so you bought one too, even though rent is knocking. You booked that “staycation” because your fave influencer did it, even though your fridge is empty.

Social pressure is real, especially online. But trying to keep up with lifestyles you can’t afford is a fast-track ticket to being broke and stressed. Nobody’s saying don’t enjoy life, but ask yourself: is this spending for me, or for them?

Learn to admire without acquiring. Sometimes, looking is enough.

RECOMMENDED: 5 ways you can save money on food in a bad economy

4. Subscribing to everything but using nothing

Let’s talk subscriptions. Netflix. Spotify. Apple Music. Showmax. YouTube Premium. And that fitness app you’ve never opened. You’re subscribed to five platforms but only actively use one.

The worst part? Some people even forget they subscribed, and those silent monthly debits just keep deducting. That’s your money, doing absolutely nothing.

Take a moment to review your subscriptions. Cancel what you don’t use. Or better still, share accounts with friends or family. You don’t need everything, and you definitely don’t need to pay for what you’re not using.

5. Over-reliance on Bolt/Uber/ride-hailing

Yes, public transport can be chaotic, but that Bolt habit? It’s eating your funds. A ₦3,000 trip here, a ₦5,000 ride there, and by the end of the week, you’ve spent more than your weekly feeding budget on rides alone.

Sure, sometimes it’s necessary. But a little planning, like walking short distances, carpooling, or even taking public transport, can seriously cut your transport costs.

Being mobile is nice. Being broke? Not so much.

Life is hard enough in Nigeria. Don’t let your spending habits make it harder. Cut back where you can and spend wisely. 

ALSO READ: 5 habits that can secretly make you poor without realising it

When it comes to the Catholic Church, the papacy remains one of the oldest continuous institutions in the world. It has seen a long line of leaders guiding the Catholic Church over the centuries. 

Each pope’s tenure has had its own impact on the Church and the world at large.

As the world mourns the death of Pope Francis, here is a list of popes of the Roman Catholic Church throughout history, along with the duration of their papacies. 

READ ALSO: What happens when the Pope dies? 

From the early days of Saint Peter to the modern pontiffs, this compilation includes the men who have held the papal office and shaped religious, political, and cultural landscapes across time. 

READ ALSO: Meet the only Nigerian who can vote on who becomes the next pope