Should church musicians be paid??

[BobHolland]

If you get paid to play an instrument at church services. Good for you. If you don't get any actual money for playing, just remember tithing does not have a dollar ($) sign in it & your playing is giving to the church with your time, talents & God given gifts.

[TelecasterSam]

Some church members help out for no pay with the plumbing, electrical, painting, Sunday school, special projects, etc. My only talent is playing guitar, so I don't feel I should be paid...I even enjoy the time I give to the church, maybe unlike the painter or plumber. If the church needs a pianist who can play right out of the hymnal and is there every single Sunday, more or less under contract, then they should be paid. Some end up as church members and, in a way, pay their salary back!

[Airguitar]

It seems to me there are three differing levels of commitment for a church musician, and all of them should be respected by all parties involved for what they are.

1) The volunteer
Volunteers are normally people who either a) show up with little or no gear, or experience, or b) do have gear and experience and want to give without receiving.

This group does not receive payment, nor do they expect to.
Small to mid sized churches comprise almost entirely of volunteers, right down to the Pastor.

2) The Semi-Professionals (Couldn't think of a better name)
This is a group or person who dedicates serious time and money to their role in a worship team. They go for training, buy their own instruments and equipment, attend seminars and apply themselves to their craft. They probably describe the majority of us reading this forum. Occasionally they do receive a token of appreciation, or make some money from spinoffs in the church (Weddings, etc.)
However, this group is also not paid regularly.
These magnificent beings are found in churches of all sizes..

3) The appointed Professionals
These people are legally and professionally appointed in the church and are salaried accordingly. Some aspire to this, and others don't. It's a hard calling, and not without its dangers.

I have been in the Semi-Pro group for all my life. I have never expected nor wanted payment for my service to God. It's a joy and a privilege to serve him and my christian family in this way.
BUT.......
I have had my fingers burnt a few times when it comes to gear. Not particularly in the church, although a number of instances have arisen there.. all the usual ones like kids messing with stuff, knocking it over, etc. sometimes damaging it. I put this to an end by reminding the parents that the stuff on the stage is expensive and they WILL be called to account for damage and breakage. Generally the stage is out of bounds for non-musicians anyway..

The other thing is when your co-workers take and use stuff from the church without regard for who owns it. I once had a guy drop a heavy mixing board from the back of his trailer only to return it to me in shreds.. Another time I loaned an entire PA system to a brother for a wedding and not see it for 2 weeks. He liked it so much he used it to make some cash providing music at 2 more parties!!

The money solution:-
"If you wanna use my PA it's available at $200 per night."
"Sure I can do your wedding. When can we get together to discuss financial issues?"

As for the payment for worship service issue. Discuss it with your leadership and set yourself a cutoff where you're saying "I can give so much for free, the rest comes at a price".
If you feel you have too much demand placed on you with no reward, do something about it.
"You have not because you ask not, and when you DO ask, you ask with wrong motives"

[RexGuitars]

YES! ala Luke 10.7 and 1 Timothy 5.18. Scripture is pretty clear (this is a theological issue after all), if you are working for the Kingdom, it's more than ok to get paid for/according to your work. This doesn't mean it's wrong not to pay musicians, just make sure they get what they deserve. (Full time musicians deserve full time pay, whereas a group of volunteers who meet an hour before service to practice probably don't deserve full time pay)

[black_doug]

Originally Posted by BobHolland

If you don't get any actual money for playing, just remember tithing does not have a dollar ($) sign in it & your playing is giving to the church with your time, talents & God given gifts.

That's a good point. Another point is that we wouldn't expect the CCM singers that tour, or the band behind them to do it for free, would we? Just saying. A lot of the players in churches are just as talented.

[Al Watsky]

Get paid if its a big church.
Don't get paid if its not.
I'm not a "church" musician, different persuasion , but I play lots and lots of music from my faith tradition.
Mostly I get paid, sometimes not. There are charity gigs after all.
The Levites got paid, if not how can they sustain their service ?
The priests got paid , if not how can service be maintained ?
Often people dismiss music as being non-essential and in fact that is the first corner that is "cut". Its a problem. In fact there is no music during worship at my "church".
Go figure.
There is lots of guidance regarding these matters.
Much of which is in that big book, in the front !
You could look it up !
Most important is to feel it.
Sincerity is key.
If you don't need the money don't take it.

[StootMonster]

Originally Posted by Al Watsky

Get paid if its a big church.
Don't get paid if its not.
I'm not a "church" musician, different persuasion , but I play lots and lots of music from my faith tradition.
Mostly I get paid, sometimes not. There are charity gigs after all.
The Levites got paid, if not how can they sustain their service ?
The priests got paid , if not how can service be maintained ?
Often people dismiss music as being non-essential and in fact that is the first corner that is "cut". Its a problem. In fact there is no music during worship at my "church".
Go figure.
There is lots of guidance regarding these matters.
Much of which is in that big book, in the front !
You could look it up !
Most important is to feel it.
Sincerity is key.
If you don't need the money don't take it.

You got it. If you need to get paid to play, go somewhere that pays the players, don't get mad if a church can't afford to pay but is asking for musicians.

[livinblood]

Originally Posted by BobHolland

If you get paid to play an instrument at church services. Good for you. If you don't get any actual money for playing, just remember tithing does not have a dollar ($) sign in it & your playing is giving to the church with your time, talents & God given gifts.

Wrong. I can't say anymore than look it up.

[justatwanging]

Originally Posted by livinblood

Wrong. I can't say anymore than look it up.

God loves a cheerful giver and that includes the musical talents used for His Glory.

[BobHolland]

I did !

[livinblood]

Originally Posted by justatwanging

God loves a cheerful giver and that includes the musical talents used for His Glory.

Very true my brother! However; playing at church isn't a tithe unless you actually do get paid and give your 10% of your wages.
Tithes has a promise attached to it. Do it and you will truly be blessed.
I went from having a cheapo acoustic guitar to being able to afford all the goodies I got. I just started giving my 10% no matter what. I am totally humbled.
Glad you checked it out Bob.

[StootMonster]

Man, i wish there weren't rules here about sharing theology, I could show you so many passages that shows how we are NOT under the tithe.

[greytop]

Originally Posted by reverbbb

Great suggestion Tim. You said it so well. When can you show up to help us with this announcement? :D

Just kidding of coarse. I feel humbled to ask for assistance. This is my struggle. In addition, at the end of every service, we already pass the plate around for the second time for contributions to our food pantry mission. This second time around is generally peoples pocket change and is only about $150 in my nearest guess. I sure don't want to take away from that offering.

It is like our team could use a sponsor (in addition to me). Again, my struggle is: 'How selfish am I being to expect reimbursment or to want to sell my drumset to the church? How selfish am I being to expect "my" drumset not to be used throughout the church like a peice of furniture? How selfish am I being to want to stop funding the repairs?'.

A few weeks ago, someone (I know who) sat on the drum-throne and it broke at a point that is not repairable. So, I went out and bought the cheapest new one I could find at G.C. Incredibly, it only cost about $30 and is fairly decent. Nobody offered to buy another one. As a matter of fact, both drummers sat on a piano bench and played for a few weeks. I guess it bothered me more than it bothered them

If you never use the drumset, pull it and tell the church you are going to sell it so that the finds can be used for other purposes. If those who drum, or the church, elect to not replace it, or buy yours then you can elect to return it or sell it.

I was in a similar situation as I provided the PA for a small startup. We had a bunch of teens and college age kids join the church (a good thing), and they wanted to use the system for some special events. I told them only when I was free to run it. When my schedule got in the way of their ministry, the church bought them a cheap PA (which was no where as good as mine, but good enough).

Pulling the set will tell you how much they value not only your contributions, but the music ministry in general..

Just a thought..not sure where it lines up biblically...

[justatwanging]

Originally Posted by StootMonster

Man, i wish there weren't rules here about sharing theology, I could show you so many passages that shows how we are NOT under the tithe.

I have also read "The Book" from cover to cover.

[Jester01]

I didnt read the whole thread, but heres my opinion....

IF they are a Christian... The time donated to serving the lord is all the payment required.... Anything else I say they deserve a little trip behind the barn.... yea I can get violent with morons from time to time... And my pastor would agree... He carries a gun, and believes in street justice lol.

[justatwanging]

I think using the word "tithe or tithing" is pushing the limits of this forum because these are theological terms.

[TDPRI]

Originally Posted by StootMonster

Man, i wish there weren't rules here about sharing theology, I could show you so many passages that shows how we are NOT under the tithe.

Please, find another place to discuss this if our rules are too much for you.

All we ask is that you and others follow our simple rules. If this is too much go elsewhere and speak your mind freely.

This is NOT the Christian Guitar forum, though I think that forum does exist.