Should Church Musicians Be Paid?

The Truth About Should Church Musicians Get Paid
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**Question Of The Day**
In the comment section, speak about your musician experiences in church with respect for the things said in this video

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[dr.melius]

Churches would not be successful without music. The musicians should definitely be paid.

[bloosman]

When I joined the church ensemble, I brought my own gear. All of it. (I'm the guitarist). No one plugs into my amp/s. Period. The issue came up and I stood my ground on this. I am not paid. I have very good equipment that I maintain. I am playing for the Lord. There are limits and boundaries.

[mikewhite]

I wish I had seen this back in the late 90's. I was the musician (drummer) for a church. They offered me a salary to play for the Mass Choir. As we (the other musicians) started gelling and getting really good, more members started joining but my pay never increased to fit the growth (as mentioned in the clip). AND I (we) were asked to started playing for the Children's Choir, Men's & Women's Ensembles, Revivals that were all week, Weddings, Funerals, Special Services, Afternoon Services that was on the evening after Sunday Service, and be musical guests when the pastors visited other churches. ALL THAT MUSIC had to be learned, rehearsed (both w/ the singing members and ourselves), and ready to perform with 90% accuracy which turned into being full-time. Oh, I didn't mention that I was slated to teach African Drumming to members to anyone who wanted to participate. So now I'm coming up with parts for different them according to their experience...whether they had rhythm or not AND make up parts for the dancers for the annual African Sunday Service.

We had someone come in for a workshop and she mentioned that musicians should be getting paid at least 75% of what their daily 9-5 job was paying. That never happened and one by one we started leaving. All that work that was put in and the frustration that was felt, and the lack of respect that was given were the main reasons. Even when we had meetings with the pastors, finance head, and ministry leaders, they all said the same thing...when we grow you will get the increase. We were asked if we could get a slight increase and be paid each week instead of bi-weekly like the ministers.

I can say that I have a lot of patience when I'm chosen as an MD for some bands that I play for and I am able to hear everything that is played and can correct or enhance when needed.

[Suzyrn]

I'm a church musician. I believe there is a difference between being a church musician and playing for my home church. Me personally I look at playing for my home church as using my talents for the Lord, just as I also teach Sunday School and I am the head over our medical team at church. I do this all because I am using my talents for the Lord. On the other hand if another church wanted me to come fill in on drums for a couple of weeks or something similar I would expect to get paid by that church. This is just my opinion.

[taye]

The word of God says a craftsman is worthy of his hire!!!

[jazzis]

Amen, great points! Musicians have chosen music as their professions and should be treated as such. No one ever questions the validity of pay to the plumber, contractor, electrician or exterminator who provides services to the church. They are trained professionals just as experienced musicians are.

[daxespinosa]

Well presented. Even my whole family does not respect what I do as a church musician, and are taking turns insulting and questioning me for doing it, for no reason but to amuse and feel better about themselves. Thank you for defending our dignity.

[nathancouch]

Man this hits so hard. I've been a church musician for the last 15-20 years. I'm watching this as I re-wire my pedalboard at midnight on a friday night before sunday service. All because something wasn't working right at practice last night which ran until 11pm. I'll probably be up until about 2am running through all of the songs again, making sure that everything is good to go. They just don't know or care about what goes into making Sunday morning work. We actually had to fight to get the stage for a single weeknight practice. They legit expect us to show up 30 minutes before service just ready to go. From their perspective the whole thing is no big deal.

[rickrolli]

I agree with your rant Terence. I was a church musician for 5 years. Playing twice a month and receiving no pay. And expected to learn the most current music, when presented by the music pastor. All while working a real job and expected to tithe as well. Although I have read other comments about donating the it time and talents. Which I agree with too. Which thoughts you decide to go with would depend on you working a regular job or not and your "convictions".
But in this case, this video is about people working at the church full time. And this is a conversation that I was wondering about. And I'm glad Terence is having it. You as a person need to support yourself and family. You shouldn't be taken advantage of. It says in the Bible. A workman is worth his wages. 1 Corinthians 3:8, Luke 10:7, Deut 24:5. Don't be prideful. But have pride in yourself and your talents.
You are beautifully and wonderfully made. I hope this is a good additional comment to the video.

[DavidEdgertonJr]

This is a great video. I've been a working church musician since I was 12 years old and received $30 per month as a salary. I've played for churches that paid musicians and I have played for those that didn't. Over 40 years I've seen this debate go back and forth and I will say this - if the musician is a blessing to the church then the church should be a blessing to the musician.

In college, I worked full-time as a TSA, 20 hours in the engineering lab, and played for 3 different churches in 3 different cities to get through college (I was an electrical engineering major with a whole load of classes simultaneously). I was so exhausted that I fell asleep in the middle of the day while driving and totaled my car. I'm blessed to be alive.

A friend of mine that played for the college choir told me about a church that needed a musician. I reached out to them. I was interviewed and after the interview they hired me. That church paid me $200 a week to be the church musician and to work with 5 different choirs but that was enough money for me to get another car, get married to the love of my life, and graduate with my engineering degree.

When the church as a whole starts to look at the roles they have that they can compensate I think they should. You don't know what that can do for a musician and his family.

Biblically, I think in Numbers 18, it talks about how all the offerings were taken to take care of the temple. That included an offering for the Levites - the musicians. I could be wrong on that but I do believe it is right to take care of your musicians financially. Thanks for this video.

[blkeddie]

I feel you man and I agree wholeheartedly too. You make some very valid points there. Nobody seems to question the maintenance staff and groundskeepers and even the pastor and assistant pastor but have the nerve to question someone in their music department who they expect to show up for morning service, afternoon and away fellowships, special events like church anniversaries, revivals, pastors anniversary and lets not forget choir anniversaries. I know what's involved with being a church support musician (I play guitar), all the hours of cramming songs from Youtube and the time spent at rehearsals, the wear and tear on my gear and the cost of keeping it up to working order, and the time I put into learning and perfecting my craft so I figure if they ain't paying then I"m not playing. I have to look out for myself in these scenarios but the good thing is that for every church that won't there's always another one that does. Thank you for your insight and comments.

[Omar-jjzb]

As church musician I get paid when I play. I volunteered my time and my talents for several years and then eventually offered a paid position (part time). We should absolutely be paid. Let me break it down for those who want to say otherwise.
1. As a musician we pay out of our own pockets to buy and maintain equipment . Quality instruments aren’t cheap.
2. We have to spend personal time at home rehearsing new set list for Sunday and time perfecting our skills.
3. Besides Home rehearsal we have band rehearsal usually during the week before Sunday.
4. Sunday’s we are there hours before anyone else running through Sunday set and getting sound checks.
5. Most musicians are playing and at about 2-4 services on Sunday.
6. We use our personal vehicles and don’t get paid for travel time and gas.

Prove me different

[NelsonBridge-yx]

I've Been a Church Musician for Many Years and Have Never Been paid to Play, and I would not feel right in Asking for Money, I made A Vow to GOD That I would Play for Him, and I feel Honored and Blessed Every Time I get on The Stage and Play My Bass for HIM, just My Opinion😊

[sadberserkr]

I played music in churches as a Profession for years, and I definitely stuck to my guns that musicians should be paid. I needed to eat, and I needed strings, and a tuner etc. I loved helping lead in worship with the band, but I needed compensation for my skills. The problem is, when you start making a fuss, alot of Bigger churches will just replace you with someone who can do half the job anyway. It's a stressful place to be for sure. Fortunately traveling worship musicianship ended up being for me more, and it took care of alot of my needs. Killer video, thanks for shouting out the truth.

[TrueBlueYou]

I was a musician in a church that paid the drummer $60, 000 a year. They didn’t pay anybody else, just the drummer. The next church that I went to, they were paying the drummer as well, except this time he wasn’t a Christian and he came to church high, and stoned out of his mind, and sometimes showed up three minutes before service and didn’t rehearse except on Sun morning. They were paying that drummer $400 a week while everybody else played for, “The Lord” a.k.a for free. Churches should disclose who they pay and who they don’t. Because, where your treasure is, your heart will be also. The church calls it good stewardship…I call it underhanded deception

[PhilONealMusic]

As a part-time church musician since 1998, I FULLY endorse this video!!👏Thank you for educating the masses on what we actually do and exactly why we deserve to be compensated. Thank YOU!!

[andrewawakened]

For me, it comes down to the kind of availability and time commitment the church requires. If we're talking about one 2 to 3 hour rehearsal per week plus playing during the weekly worship service on a rotating roster every other week, then for me that should be seen as volunteering for ministry and should be unpaid. But if we're talking about people playing practically every week in multiple services on multiple days and special events, then to me that level of commitment should involve compensation.

[vinnyjr]

Thank-you Terence for voicing this issue so well.
I've been 30years working as a church musician, and I only got paid once which was unexpected and out of the blue, after a retreat.
I've never knew my worth as folks love what you do. As long as it's for free.?
Due to circumstances now and necessity I have to look for help like a beggar.
It's very embarrassing to say the least.
And yes all the things folks say to excuse and silence their conscience, so they don't have to recognise your dignity.
Especially when you are in a desperate housing situation.
I'm currently in a hostel.
I have an aptitude for music but the rest is work work work..
Which I love doing.
I really enjoyed your postings on your channel, and I hope and pray, that this will break the ice, on folks viewing music ministry different.
Don't get me wrong, I feel I've proved my calling for music ministry.
But as soon as you ask about some financial help due to circumstances, you get folks trying to grade you and insult and question your ethics about music ministry.
I'm 30years working at this?
I really think their should be some governing body to help music ministers get paid work at a fair rate.?
Lots of folks like myself worked for no payment for years 30 in mycase.
And we end up in poverty?
Also playing for no fee might seem a good thing but when you do this you encourage other church folk, not to pay other music ministers either, I like an unwitting black legger, who does the ministry for nothing, and then by doing this makes it impossible for Folks to see the issue of payment for music ministers who want a fair payment rate and who need it.
Especially if it's full time.
Or they are experiencing poverty and don't have a home.
How much does it take for Folks to see the fair issue here.
?
💭
I will keep on ministering, but this is an issue.
Ps
I have liked and subscribed to your channel.
Thanks again for highlighting this issue.
Godbless 👍😎💭⛪🎵🎶

[francisreyes]

All of those musicians who didnt demand anything from the church, God will reward them in heaven playing alongside with David.😊

[laurikisner]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Straight up facts!! I have been through a lot of those situations you are referring to, churches consistently have unrealistic expectations, and we as musicians, work so hard, and are constantly undervalued and disrespected, and don’t even think about taking a day off!!