For some this is a whole new level of relationship. Back in the day it was just "I need a musician and this is what I am or am not paying" and you hired the 1st one available. No talk of vision or ministry. Of course salary/benefits is a major issue. It's important to be open and honest about what you can afford before you waste your time and the interviewees time with frivolous conversation. Musicians/Directors wanna know "How Much". That's not a greedy question. Its a necessary question that often gets answered last (Oh how frustrating). Most musicians, that I know of, really care about the needs of the church but they also wanna know about the payment as well.
Pastors, Leaders don't hire anyone you are not willing to support and trust as a leader or future leader. You should hire someone that you are going to respect and vice versa.
Every hire, unless you have previous history with the Musician/Director, should be on a trial (60 to 90 day) period so that if things don't work out you can get out of the arrangement. Sometimes you have to search and pray hard and long for that person(s) to come your way but it's well worth the wait. Just ask the Pastors or Leaders who are happy with their Music Ministry leaders. They will tell you that the marriage between Pastor and Musician can be wonderful when two are in agreement and operating correctly.
Phillip Carter
Well said bruh
ReplyDeleteThis is good! However, when the "vision" becomes cloudy in midstream, or if a sudden "shifting" occurs, either in vision or expectations, problems can result. This seems to be happening a lot lately, based on conversations I've been having with other musicians/Ministers of music.
ReplyDeleteyea I know Wendall. The vision does change which sometimes causes us to change churches
ReplyDeleteHey man, that is some real good stuff. Out here in NY we suffer with that alot. Churches want the hottest cat out there and will pay to get them and then you have churches that value the spiritual life style but dont want to give the worthy workman his deserved pay.
ReplyDeleteAwesome information! Such wisdom! Keep it coming!
ReplyDeletePhil, Thank you for the insightful "vision". I served in a position where the Congregation and the "THEN" Pastor set the vision, and since this was a transit congregation, after the Pastor changed, then so did the vision but the musician(s) remained in place. What then when you identify that your beliefs are now compromised by the incoming clergy? I served in this position for over 10 years and was comfortable in the "position" but not the "vision". It was a hard decision to leave but came to realize "AFTER" my departure that the season was over.
ReplyDeletePowerthruGod, I just recently had to make a similar decision at a church myself. When your season is over you will become uncomfortable and if you had stayed you would have done harm to yourself and others at the church. Gods got another assignment for you so walk in it. Take some time to reflect as well so that you will not carry old stuff into new assignments.
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